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Objective Sialylation of the crystallizable fragment (Fc) of ACPAs, which is catalysed by β-galactoside α-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1) could attenuate inflammation of RA. In this study, we screened the transcription factor of ST6GAL1 and elucidated the mechanism of transcriptionally upregulating sialylation of ACPAs in B cells to explore its role in the progression of RA. Methods Transcription factors interacting with the P2 promoter of ST6GAL1 were screened by DNA pull-down and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The function of the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) on the expression of ST6GAL1 and the inflammatory effect of ACPAs were verified by knocking down and overexpressing CTCF in B cells. The CIA model was constructed from B cell–specific CTCF knockout mice to explore the effect of CTCF on arthritis progression. Results We observed that the levels of ST6GAL1 and ACPAs sialylation decreased in the serum of RA patients and were negatively correlated with DAS28 scores. Subsequently, CTCF was screened and verified as the transcription factor interacting with the P2 promoter of ST6GAL1, which enhances the sialylation of ACPAs, thus weakening the inflammatory activity of ACPAs. Furthermore, the above results were also verified in the CIA model constructed from B cell–specific CTCF knockout mice. Conclusion CCCTC-binding factor is the specific transcription factor of β-galactoside α-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 in B cells that upregulates the sialylation of ACPAs in RA and attenuates the disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reversible luminescence modification of inorganic phosphors has emerged as a promising field, enabling innovative applications such as optical memory, multiple anti‐counterfeiting, and photoswitches. Traditional luminescence modulation techniques, such as core–shell structure design and energy transfer‐related luminescent ions regulation, face challenges in achieving reversible luminescence modification. Chromism induces reversible color changes in materials when stimulated by external fields such as electricity, heat, and light. Combining chromism with luminescence enables the creation of chromism‐driven reversible luminescence manipulation in a single material. This review summarizes recent advances in reversible luminescence modification of inorganic phosphors based on chromism reaction and highlights their potential applications in optical data storage, fingerprint acquisition, and anti‐counterfeiting areas. The potential prospective research directions are also discussed and the challenges and opportunities of chromism‐based reversible luminescent materials are presented for further extended applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART), the mortality of immunological non-responders (INRs) is higher than that of immunological responders (IRs). However, factors associated with immunological non-response following ART are not well documented. Methods: We obtained data for HIV patients from the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program database in China. Patients were grouped into IRs (CD4 cell count ≥ 350 cells/μl after 24 months' treatment), immunological incomplete responders (ICRs) (200–350 cells/μl) and INRs (< 200 cells/μl). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with immunological non-response. Results: A total of 3900 PLHIV were included, among whom 2309 (59.2%) were IRs, 1206 (30.9%) ICRs and 385 (9.9%) INRs. In multivariable analysis, immunological non-response was associated with being male (2.07, 1.39–3.09), older age [40–49 years (vs. 18–29 years): 2.05, 1.29–3.25; 50–59 years: 4.04, 2.33-7.00; ≥ 60 years: 5.51, 2.84–10.67], HBV co-infection (1.63, 1.14–2.34), HCV co-infection (2.01, 1.01–4.02), lower CD4 + T cell count [50–200 cells/μl (vs. 200–350 cells/μl): 40.20, 16.83–96.01; < 50 cells/μl: 215.67, 85.62-543.26] and lower CD4/CD8 ratio (2.93, 1.98–4.34) at baseline. Compared with patients treated with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) based regimens, those receiving protease inhibitors (PIs) based regimens were less likely to be INRs (0.47, 0.26–0.82). Conclusions: We found a sizable immunological non-response rate among HIV-infected patients. Being male, older age, coinfection with HBV and HCV, lower CD4 + T cell count and lower CD4/CD8 ratio are risk factors of immunological non-response, whereas PIs-based regimens is a protective factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunlight-induced photochromic glass exhibits attractive application prospects in the field of architecture materials. In this work, a series of borosilicate aluminate photochromic glasses containing AgCl nanocrystals were prepared. The photochromic property and mechanisms were systematically investigated. The color of the glass turned from transparent to black (or dark grey) under the irradiation of 365 nm ultraviolet light (or sunlight). Placing in a dark environment, the color of photochromic glass gradually restores to its initial state. From the results of in situ TEM and XPS measurement, it is found that the photochromic and self-bleaching behavior of borosilicate aluminate glass originated from the formation and decomposition of silver nanoparticles. Utilizing the photochromic and self-bleaching properties of the glass, the transmittance of the glass could be reversibly modulated. The cycle measurement shows excellent repeatability, demonstrating the potential application of AgCl-contained borosilicate aluminate photochromic glass in the fields of smart building windows and curtain walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the large storage capacity, the transparent luminescent glass with photo‐induced coloration properties has attracted considerable interest in recent years. However, lots of the photochromic (PC) mechanisms for glass are related to the ionic valence transformation, and the study associated with the defects‐induced photochromism of glass is limited. Herein, a kind of Sm3+ doped PC cadmium glass is fabricated, for which the PC mechanism is systematically investigated by various techniques, such as XPS spectra, thermoluminescence spectra, EPR spectra, etc. The results show that the mechanism of coloration for such glass should be due to the presence of oxygen vacancy‐related electron centers. Under 365 nm light irradiation, the color of the glass turns from colorless to brown, exhibiting a large color contrast, of 62%. Utilizing the re‐absorption process between absorption spectra and emission/excitation spectra, the emission intensity of Sm3+ is reversibly regulated, indicating their promising applications as an optical storage medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Z-scan technique is used to investigate the effects of refractive index change (RIC) associated with photoisomerization for two cases: in which the sample is pumped and probed by the same elliptically polarized light, and in which the sample is pumped by a linearly polarized light and probed by another linearly polarized light. Both experimental and theoretical results show that for the first case, this effect depends upon the polarization of the light; that is, when the polarization changes continuously from circularly polarization to linearly polarization, the effects of RIC becomes stronger. For the second case, the effect is similar to the effects of saturable Kerr effect, whose nonlinear coefficient n2 is measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multispecies biofilm model is developed for simultaneous reduction of nitrate and perchlorate in the H2-based membrane biofilm reactor. The one-dimension model includes dual-substrate Monod kinetics for a steady-state biofilm with five solid and five dissolved components. The solid components are autotrophic denitrifying bacteria, autotrophic perchlorate-reducing bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, inert biomass, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The dissolved components are nitrate, perchlorate, hydrogen (H2), substrate-utilization-associated products, and biomass-associated products (BAP). The model explicitly considers four mechanisms involved in how three important operating conditions (H2 pressure, nitrate loading, and perchlorate loading) affect nitrate and perchlorate removals: (1) competition for H2, (2) promotion of PRB growth due to having two electron acceptors (nitrate and perchlorate), (3) competition between nitrate and perchlorate reduction for the same resources in the PRB: electrons and possibly reductase enzymes, and (4) competition for space in the biofilm. Two other special features are having H2 delivered from the membrane substratum and solving directly for steady state using a novel three-step approach: finite-difference for approximating partial differential and/or integral equations, Newton-Raphson for solving nonlinear equations, and an iterative scheme to obtain the steady-state biofilm thickness. An example result illustrates the model's features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ever-increasing knowledge of the structure of various real-world networks has uncovered their complex multi-mechanism-governed evolution processes. Therefore, a better understanding of the structure and evolution of these networked complex systems requires us to describe such processes in a more detailed and realistic manner. In this paper, we introduce a new type of network growth rule which comprises addition and deletion of nodes, and propose an evolving network model to investigate the effect of node deleting on network structure. It is found that, with the introduction of node deleting, network structure is significantly transformed. In particular, degree distribution of the network undergoes a transition from scale-free to exponential forms as the intensity of node deleting increases. At the same time, nontrivial disassortative degree correlation develops spontaneously as a natural result of network evolution in the model. We also demonstrate that node deleting introduced in the model does not destroy the connectedness of a growing network so long as the increasing rate of edges is not excessively small. In addition, it is found that node deleting will weaken but not eliminate the small-world effect of a growing network, and generally it will decrease the clustering coefficient in a network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated the dispersion forces effects in the instability of polystyrene films within the framework of the frequency-dependent theory. The calculated results of excess free energy, wavelength and growth rate show that the stability of the film can be tuned by the properties and the variation of the thickness of the coating. As the film thickness increases, the retardation effects can be significant and the full results of free energy must be used to deal with the instability of the polystyrene films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the purification of myosin from wheat mitochondria. Use of DE-52 anion exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 Gel filtration in the purification process; Stimulation of adenosine triphosphate by F-actin from chicken muscle; Similarity of skeletal muscle myosin to myosin purification.

• Transparent copper-doped borate glass with tunable luminescence was prepared. • Photo-Induced valence transformation between cu+ and Cu0 was studied. • Efficient reversible luminescence modulation has been achieved in the glass. • The optical storage and encryption applications in Cu-contained borate glass were developed. Transparent glass is a promising candidate for optical storage media due to its large capacity and high stability advantages. Previously reported optical storage glass systems meet various problems, such as high manufacturing costs, low security levels, etc. Herein, a kind of copper-contained borate glass was designed and fabricated, emitting tunable broadband upon various ultraviolet light excitations. By alternating 360 nm laser (10.7 W/cm2) irradiation for 15 s and thermal treatment at 400 ℃ for 2 h, the emission intensity of the glass can be reversibly regulated, which is associated with the variation of oxidation states of the copper element. Relying on their efficient reversible luminescence modulation behaviors, the potential application of this glass as an optical storage and encryption media is developed, exhibiting the high performances of repeatable writing and erasing, dual mode readout, high-level safety, and good writing resolution for the Cu-doped borate glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their immobility and possession of underground parts, plants have evolved various mechanisms to endure and adapt to abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity. However, the contribution of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to different abiotic stresses and distinct rice seedling parts remains largely uncharacterized beyond the protein-coding gene (PCG) layer. Using transcriptomics and bioinformatics methods, we systematically identified lncRNAs and characterized their expression patterns in the roots and shoots of wild type (WT) and ososca1.1 (reduced hyperosmolality-induced [Ca2+]i increase in rice) seedlings under hyperosmolarity and salt stresses. Here, 2937 candidate lncRNAs were identified in rice seedlings, with intergenic lncRNAs representing the largest category. Although the detectable sequence conservation of lncRNAs was low, we observed that lncRNAs had more orthologs within the Oryza. By comparing WT and ososca1.1, the transcription level of OsOSCA1.1-related lncRNAs in roots was greatly enhanced in the face of hyperosmolality stress. Regarding regulation mode, the co-expression network revealed connections between trans-regulated lncRNAs and their target PCGs related to OsOSCA1.1 and its mediation of hyperosmolality stress sensing. Interestingly, compared to PCGs, the expression of lncRNAs in roots was more sensitive to hyperosmolarity stress than to salt stress. Furthermore, OsOSCA1.1-related hyperosmolarity stress-responsive lncRNAs were enriched in roots, and their potential cis-regulated genes were associated with transcriptional regulation and signaling transduction. Not to be ignored, we identified a motif-conserved and hyperosmolarity stress-activated lncRNA gene (OSlncRNA), speculating on its origin and evolutionary history in Oryza. In summary, we provide a global perspective and a lncRNA resource to understand hyperosmolality stress sensing in rice roots, which helps to decode the complex molecular networks involved in plant sensing and adaptation to stressful environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photochromic luminescent glass-ceramics attract lots of attention as an optical storage medium owing to their large storage capacity, reversible luminescence modulation, simple operation, etc. Herein, a kind of phosphosilicate glass containing AgBr nanoparticles was designed and prepared, which can realize the color reversible transformation between light yellowish-green and brown by alternating 365 nm light illumination and thermal treatment at 300 °C. The mechanism of photochromism and bleaching of the glass is related to the generation and decomposition of Ag0 clusters. Relying on the re-absorption effect, the emission intensity of Eu3+ ions could be reversibly regulated, showing the maximum luminescence contrast of 74 %. A good fatigue resistance and reproducibility of transmittance and luminescence modulation could be observed in cycle measurements, demonstrating its potential in the optical memory field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the integration of X‐ray‐induced photochromism and photoluminescence in a single material, offering innovative multi‐mode applications in optical memory, anti‐counterfeiting, and X‐ray detection and imaging. The photochromic phosphor LiAlSi2O6:Sm3+ is synthesized, which undergoes a color change from white to dark green under bright field conditions and displays orange photoluminescence in dark field conditions after X‐ray exposure due to defect formation. The phosphor shows accelerated bleaching and recovery under 473 nm laser stimulation. The distinct X‐ray‐induced color contrast and luminescence intensity modification in LiAlSi2O6:Sm3+ highlight its potential in advanced luminescent material design. Moreover, a LiAlSi2O6:Sm3+‐based flexible film demonstrates “dual‐mode” 3D X‐ray imaging and detection capabilities, paving the way for future X‐ray detecting and imaging device research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the perspective of bond relaxation under multifield perturbation, we examined the dielectric response to perturbation for GaN, InN, and ZnO. It is found that the surface local bond contraction and quantum entrapment dictate the size dependency of the dielectric constant at the nanometer scale. Reproduction of experimental observations under temperature, pressure, and tensile strain derived respective information of the Debye temperature and atomic cohesive energy, the bulk modulus and energy density, the bond length, bond energy, and force constant. The formulation of the multifield effects on the dielectric constant of semiconductors is beyond the scope of the available approaches, which not only revealed quantitative information but also provides deeper insight into the physical origin of the dielectric response to perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double perovskite (DP) phosphors attract extensive attention due to their potential applications in the field of optoelectronics. Photochromism‐induced luminescence modulation can extend their application fields. However, designing and preparing DP phosphors with expected photochromic and luminescent properties is still challenging. Herein, the photochromic Ba2YTaO6: Yb3+, Er3+, Co2+ DP with upconversion luminescence properties is developed. The color of the sample turns from white to pink upon 254 nm UV light irradiation, which is fast fading upon 473 nm laser illumination. The mechanism of photochromism is related to the formation of color centers, and the doping of Co2+ ions is crucial for the improvement of photochromism, which is from the increasing of traps depth, the oxygen vacancies, and the carrier concentration of the matrix caused by Co2+ doping. The upconversion luminescence of Er3+ ions can be reversibly modulated by the photochromic effect, exhibiting excellent reproducibility and high stability. The potential application of photochromic Ba2YTaO6: Yb3+, Er3+, Co2+ phosphor is demonstrated in the field of anticounterfeiting and three‐dimensional (3D) artwork. This work not only offers insight into the photochromic mechanism of DP but also presents guidance for developing other photochromic DP phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus can cause mildew in corn, peanuts, and other foods as well as animal feed, which seriously endangers human and livestock health; thus, preventing A. flavus contamination is imperative. Previous studies have found that the secondary metabolites of Bacillus subtilis BS-Z15 have broad-spectrum-inhibiting fungal activity, further confirming that the main active inhibiting fungal substance is Mycosubtilin (Myco). In this paper, corn and peanuts were treated with 0, 100, and 200 μg/mL BS-Z15 secondary metabolites (BS-Z15-SMA) for 7 days, and the aflatoxin contamination prevention effect was examined. The results showed that with increasing BS-Z15-SMA concentration, the aflatoxin contamination prevention effect was significantly enhanced. The above toxicity phenomena became more significant with extended BS-Z15-SMA treatment time. Scanning electron microscopy showed that 4 μg/mL Myco treatment resulted in a dented A. flavus surface and breakage of both the conidial stem and the mycelium. Transcriptome results showed that Myco significantly affected gene expression in A. flavus spores. The downregulated genes were significantly enriched in cell wall synthesis, transcription and translation, transmembrane transport pathways, and pathways related to key enzymes for aflatoxin synthesis. These results suggest that Myco could be used as a new bioactive material to prevent aflatoxin synthesis and contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The mode of exposure was similar to the pattern of human exposure to lead, including chronic lead exposure from mother mice to their offspring. • Lead exposure increased the expression and vascular deposition of Aβ 1–42 in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. • Lead exposure activated astrocytes and promoted astrocytes' co-location with Aβ 1–42 plaque in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. • Lead exposure induced abnormal expression of ZO-1 and Claudin-5, and increased the expression of p-tau protein. • Lead exposure reduced LRP-1 expression and increased APP and BACE-1 expression. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that can be induced by heavy metals such as lead. However, there is limited information on the role of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in lead induced AD-like pathology. This study investigates the potential mechanism of lead exposure aggravating the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice through the BBB. 200 mg/L and 500 mg/L lead acetate were given to C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 mice through drinking water from a week before mating, until the offspring were 7-months-old. 8 female juvenile mice in each group were selected for this investigation. Lead exposure increased blood lead concentration which revealed the internal exposure level, accelerated Aβ1-42 deposition in APP/PS1 mouse cortexes and abnormal change in Zonula Occludin-1 (ZO-1) and Claudin-5 protein. It also increased the expression of p-tau in both the C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 mice, and decreased mRNA and protein expression in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LRP-1). Additionally, it increased the mRNA and protein expression of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) and beta secretase 1 (BACE-1). The activated astrocytes increased in the brains of APP/PS1 mice, and coalesced around the Aβ1-42 deposition after lead exposure. The main vessels in deutocerebrum were attached with Aβ1-42 deposition. These results offer insight into the mechanism of preventing lead induced AD through cerebrovascular pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants have the capability to accumulate anthocyanins for coloration, and anthocyanins are advantageous to human health. In the case of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum), investigation into the mechanism of anthocyanin formation is limited to the level of protein-coding genes (PCGs). Here, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to identify a total of 9414 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the seed coats of purple and white hulless barley along a developmental gradient. Transcriptome-wide profiles of lncRNAs documented several properties, including GC content fluctuation, uneven length, a diverse range of exon numbers, and a wide variety of transcript classifications. We found that certain lncRNAs in hulless barley possess detectable sequence conservation with Hordeum vulgare and other monocots. Furthermore, both differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and PCGs (DEPCGs) were concentrated in the later seed development stages. On the one hand, DElncRNAs could potentially cis-regulate DEPCGs associated with multiple metabolic pathways, including flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis in the late milk and soft dough stages. On the other hand, there was an opportunity for trans-regulated lncRNAs in the color-forming module to affect seed coat color by upregulating PCGs in the anthocyanin pathway. In addition, the interweaving of hulless barley lncRNAs and diverse TFs may function in seed coat coloration. Notably, we depicted a dynamic portrait of the anthocyanin synthesis pathway containing hulless barley lncRNAs. Therefore, this work provides valuable gene resources and more insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in hulless barley from the perspective of lncRNAs, which facilitate the development of molecular design breeding in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The human gut microbiota (GM) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTN), and could be affected by various factors, including sex and geography. However, available data directly linking GM to HTN based on sex differences are limited. Methods: This study investigated the GM characteristics in HTN subjects in Northwestern China, and evaluate the associations of GM with blood pressure levels based on sex differences. A total of 87 HTN subjects and 45 controls were recruited with demographic and clinical characteristics documented. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Results: GM diversity was observed higher in females compared to males, and principal coordinate analysis showed an obvious segregation of females and males. Four predominant phyla of fecal GM included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. LEfSe analysis indicated that phylum unidentified_Bacteria was enriched in HTN females, while Leuconostocaceae, Weissella and Weissella_cibaria were enriched in control females (P < 0.05). Functionally, ROC analysis revealed that Cellular Processes (0.796, 95% CI 0.620 ~ 0.916), Human Diseases (0.773, 95% CI 0.595 ~ 0.900), Signal transduction (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) and Two-component system (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) could differentiate HTN females as effective functional classifiers, which were also positively correlated with systolic blood pressure levels. Conclusions: This work provides evidence of fecal GM characteristics in HTN females and males in a northwestern Chinese population, further supporting the notion that GM dysbiosis may participate in the pathogenesis of HTN, and the role of sex differences should be considered. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800019191. Registered 30 October 2018 – Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term intensive fertilization profoundly alters soil properties including microbial diversity and co-occurrence associations, but little is known about the relative and combined importance of biotic and abiotic factors for the stability of soil microbial mediated functions (MMF) to biodiversity loss. Here, we experimentally manipulated microbial α-diversity by inoculating diluted soil suspensions into sterilized soil to tease apart the biotic and abiotic effects on the microbiomes and temporal shifts in MMF in soils subjected to different fertilization treatments during a 3-month re-colonization. We showed that bacterial and fungal biomass remained similar between different diversity levels at each sampling date (0, 7, 15, 30, and 90 days). Organic fertilization accelerated the resilience of copiotrophic bacterial assemblages to biodiversity loss compared with non-fertilization and mineral fertilization and increased the strength of positive relationships between soil MMF and diversity and network complexity of bacterial rather than fungal community. A suite of biotic and abiotic factors were found to account for up to 73% of the variation in MMF, with the combined effects of diversity and microbiome complexity accounting for 43% of the variation in MMF. Moreover, the overall diversity of keystone taxa, primarily driven by soil organic carbon, was particularly important for promoting soil MMF (P < 0.001), with the abundances of oligotrophic- (Blastocatellaceae) and copiotrophic-selected (Comamonadaceae) keystone taxa positively and negatively relating to soil MMF, respectively. Collectively, our study indicates the importance of fertilization-induced shifts in network complexity and microbial life strategies for maintaining the stability of MMF following biodiversity decline and calls for organically based microbiome complexity conservation strategies to mitigate negative impacts of biodiversity loss on multiple agroecosystem functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, the increasing consumption of phosphonates, which are limited resources, has attracted greater attention at the world level. Phosphonate in wastewater is a crucial resource while it may cause eutrophication as a serious environmental problem. Hence phosphonates removal and recovery from wastewater are crucial for sustainable development consideration. Adsorption as a cost-effective technology for low-concentration phosphonates resource utilization has contributed to sustainable wastewater treatment practices. Nevertheless, a systematic review on phosphonates removal and recovery from wastewater via economically realistic adsorption technique is still missing and therefore is realized in this review, especially regarding novel adsorbents. Additionally, we discussed the influence of pH and metal ions on adsorption performance and the role of characterization and chemical computation techniques for phosphonates removal mechanism. The recently established novel adsorbents (granular ferric hydroxide, ZnFeZr@MP, La/Zn/Fe3O4@PAC, Zr-La@Fe3O4, and montmorillonite) provided good adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of phosphonates. Specifically, the ZnFeZr@MP was implemented for practical application in industrial and municipal wastewater, and ZnFeZr-oxyhydroxide suggested a potential endothermic process could be realized in application practices. High desorption efficiency typically obtained by ZnFeZr (NTMP-90%; DTPMP-100%), Zr-La@Fe3O4 (96.1% and 101.8%), and clay minerals (100%) from the reusability tests. During the practically column breakthrough treatment >90% removal efficiency and 78% desorption efficiency of NTMP were achieved from membrane concentrate. Further, various modern characterization tools enhanced the investigation of phosphonate removal mechanisms. Thus, this review article is recommended to explore the mechanism for phosphonate removal and adsorption via characterization and chemical computation techniques in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Verticillium dahliae (Vd) is a kind of soil-borne filamentous fungus that can cause Verticillium wilt in many crops and serious damage to agricultural production. Vd 991 is a main pathogen of cotton Verticillium wilt. Previously, we isolated C17 mycosubtilin from Bacillus subtilis J15 (BS J15) broth and showed a significant inhibitory effect on cotton Verticillium wilt. However, the specific fungistatic mechanism by which C17 mycosubtilin antagonizes Vd 991 is not clear. Here, we found that C17 mycosubtilin inhibited the growth and spore germination of Vd 991. C17 mycosubtilin treatment caused shrinking, sinking, and even damage to spores, resulting in rough deformation and uneven distribution of hyphal contents, damage to the cell membrane and cell wall, and mitochondrial swelling of fungi. Moreover, C17 mycosubtilin induced necrosis of Vd 991 in a time-dependent manner. Differential transcription analysis showed that C17 mycosubtilin inhibited fungal growth mainly by destroying the cell structure, blocking the cell cycle, disturbing substance, energy metabolism, and so on. Our results reveal the potential mechanism by which C17 mycosubtilin antagonizes Vd 991, providing useful information for development of more effective antimicrobials. Verticillium wilt is a kind of soil-borne plant fungal disease caused by Verticillium dahliae (Vd). Vd 991 is a strong pathogen causing cotton Verticillium wilt. Previously, we isolated a compound from the secondary metabolites of Bacillus subtilis J15 (BS J15), which showed a significant control effect on cotton Verticillium wilt and was identified as C17 mycosubtilin. However, the specific fungistatic mechanism by which C17 mycosubtilin antagonizes Vd 991 is not clear. Here, we first showed that C17 mycosubtilin inhibits the growth of Vd 991 and affects germination of spores at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Morphological observation showed that C17 mycosubtilin treatment caused shrinking, sinking, and even damage to spores; the hyphae became twisted and rough, the surface was sunken, and the contents were unevenly distributed, resulting in thinning and damage to the cell membrane and cell wall and swelling of mitochondria of fungi. Flow cytometry analysis with ANNEXINV-FITC/PI staining showed that C17 mycosubtilin induces necrosis of Vd 991 cells in a time-dependent manner. Differential transcription analysis showed that C17 mycosubtilin at a semi-inhibitory concentration (IC50) treated Vd 991 for 2 and 6 h and inhibited fungal growth mainly by destroying synthesis of the fungal cell membrane and cell wall, inhibiting its DNA replication and transcriptional translation process, blocking its cell cycle, destroying fungal energy and substance metabolism, and disrupting the redox process of fungi. These results directly showed the mechanism by which C17 mycosubtilin antagonizes Vd 991, providing clues for the mechanism of action of lipopeptides and useful information for development of more effective antimicrobials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by facilitating angiogenesis and is a promising therapeutic target for RA treatment. Herein, we generated a fully human CTGF blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) through phage display technology. Results: A single-chain fragment variable (scFv) with a high affinity to human CTGF was isolated through screening a fully human phage display library. We carried out affinity maturation to elevate its affinity for CTGF and reconstructed it into a full-length IgG1 format for further optimization. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) data showed that full-length antibody IgG mut-B2 bound to CTGF with a dissociation constant (KD) as low as 0.782 nM. In the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, IgG mut-B2 alleviated arthritis and decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we confirmed that the TSP-1 domain of CTGF is essential for the interaction. Additionally, the results of Transwell assays, tube formation experiments, and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays showed that IgG mut-B2 could effectively inhibit angiogenesis. Conclusion: The fully human mAb that antagonizes CTGF could effectively alleviate arthritis in CIA mice, and its mechanism is tightly associated with the TSP-1 domain of CTGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a systematic first-principles calculation on the atomistic structural variation for armchair-edge graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) under a small planar uniaxial strain along armchair and zigzag directions, respectively. Interestingly, it is found that asymmetric AGNRs are more sensitive to the external strain with more types of carbon-carbon bonds and angles, while symmetric ones show less types of bonds and angles under the same strain. This difference is attributed to the symmetric property of AGNRs combining with the bond theory. Our findings may be useful in further understanding of GNRs under strain and in designing nanoelectromechanical devices based on GNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are distributed in various species and play critical roles in plant growth, development, and defence against stimuli. However, the lncRNA response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment has not been well characterized in Nicotiana tabacum Bright Yellow-2 (BY-2) cells, and their roles in plant defence remain elusive. Here, 7848 reliably expressed lncRNAs were identified in BY-2 cells, of which 629 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs were characterized as MeJA-responsive lncRNAs. The lncRNAs in BY-2 cells had a strong genus specificity in Nicotiana. The combined analysis of the cis-regulated lncRNAs and their target genes revealed the potential up- and downregulated target genes that are responsible for different biological functions and metabolic patterns. In addition, some lncRNAs for response-associated target genes might be involved in plant defence and stress resistance via their MeJA- and defence-related cis-regulatory elements. Moreover, some MeJA-responsive lncRNA target genes were related to quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase, lipoxygenases, and endopeptidase inhibitors, which may contribute to nicotine synthesis and disease and insect resistance, indicating that MeJA-responsive lncRNAs regulate nicotine biosynthesis and disease resistance by regulating their potential target genes in BY-2 cells. Therefore, our results provide more targets for genetically engineering the nicotine content and plant defence in tobacco plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the one-way transmission and mode conversion of elastic waves by a hybrid phononic-crystal structure that consists of two mutually perpendicular phononic-crystal waveguides connected by a resonant cavity. Based on the mode matching mechanism between the cavity and waveguides, the symmetrical waves incident on the waveguide entrance are converted into antisymmetric modes and exit the waveguide. However, for the same waves incident on the structure from the waveguide exit, no output waves are transmitted toward the waveguide entrance because the modes in the waveguides and the cavity are mismatched. On the basis of this unique property, we designed a polarization-sensitive composite structure to measure the angle between two components of incident mixed elastic waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the archaeal and the bacterial diversities in a landfill during different phases of decomposition. In this study, the archaeal and the bacterial diversities of Laogang landfill (Shanghai, China) at two different decomposition phases (i.e., initial methanogenic phase (IMP) and stable methanogenic phase (SMP)), were culture-independently examined using PCR-based 454 pyrosequencing. A total of 47,753 sequences of 16S rRNA genes were retrieved from 69,954 reads and analyzed to evaluate the diversities of the archaeal and bacterial communities. The most predominant types of archaea were hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales , and of bacteria were Proteobacteria , Firmicutes , and Bacteroidetes. As might be expected, their abundances varied at decomposition phases. Archaea Methanomicrobiales accounts for 97.6% of total archaeal population abundance in IMP and about 57.6% in SMP. The abundance of archaeal genus Halobacteriale was 0.1% in IMP and was 20.3% in the SMP. The abundance of Firmicutes was 21.3% in IMP and was 4.3% in SMP. The abundance of Bacteroidetes represented 11.5% of total bacterial in IMP and was dominant (49.4%) in SMP. Both the IMP and SMP had unique cellulolytic bacteria compositions. IMP consisted of members of Bacillus , Fibrobacter , and Eubacterium , while SMP harbored groups of Microbacterium . Both phases had Clostridium with different abundance, 4–5 folds higher in SMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilis strain Z15 (BS-Z15) was isolated from the cotton field of Xinjiang, China, and characterized as an effective biocontrol agent antagonizing plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae 991 (VD-991). However, the chemical substance produced by BS-Z15 for resistance to VD-991 remains elusive. Here, a serial purification methods including HCl precipitation, organic solvent extraction, and separation by semi-preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography were performed to obtain a single compound about 3.5 mg/L from the fermentation broth of BS-Z15, which has an antifungal activity against VD-991. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Tandem Mass Spectrometry analyses were carried out to finally confirm that the active compound from BS-Z15 is a mycosubtilin homologue with C17 fatty acid chain. Genomic sequence prediction and PCR verification further showed that the BS-Z15 genome contains the whole mycosubtilin operon comprising four ORFs: fenF, mycA, mycB, and mycC, and the expression levels of mycA-N, mycB-Y and mycC-N reached a peak at 32-h fermentation. Although mycosubtilin homologue at 1 μg/mL promoted the germination of cotton seed, that with high concentration at 10 μg/mL had no significant effect on seed germination, plant height and dry weight. Furthermore, mycosubtilin homologue sprayed at 10 μg/mL on two-week-old cotton leaves promotes the expression of pathogen-associated genes and gossypol accumulation, and greatly decreases VD-991 infection in cotton with disease index statistics. This study provides an efficient purification strategy for mycosubtilin homologue from BS-Z15, which can potentially be used as a biocontrol agent for controlling verticillium wilt in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Drought and salt stresses are the two major abiotic constraints on plant growth and development, as well as crop production. Previous studies have shown that several of 11 OsOSCAs complement hyperosmolality-induced [Ca2+]cytincreases (OICIcyt), salt stress-induced [Ca2+]cyt increases (SICIcyt), and the associated growth phenotype in the Arabidopsis mutant osca1. However, their biological functions in rice are still unclear. In this paper, we found that OsOSCA1.1 mediates OICIcyt and SICIcyt in rice roots, which are associated with stomatal closure and seedling survival, in response to hyperosmolality and salt stress. The transcriptomic analysis revealed the following three types of OsOSCA1.1-regulated genes in shoots: 2416 sorbitol, 2349 NaCl, and 1844 osmotic-stress response genes. The GO enrichment analysis showed that these OsOSCA1.1-regulated genes were enriched in transcription regulation, hormone responses, and phosphorylation terms, consistent with the enrichment of cis-regulatory elements, i.e., ABRE, ARE, MYB, and MYC binding elements, in the 2000-bp promoter regions of these genes. Our results provide important clues for dissecting calcium regulated gene expression networks in response to drought and salt stresses in rice. OSCA (reduced hyperosmolality-induced [Ca2+]i increase) is a family of mechanosensitive calcium-permeable channels that play a role in osmosensing and stomatal immunity in plants. Oryza sativa has 11 OsOSCA genes; some of these were shown to complement hyperosmolality-induced [Ca2+]cyt increases (OICIcyt), salt stress-induced [Ca2+]cyt increases (SICIcyt), and the associated growth phenotype in the Arabidopsis thaliana mutant osca1. However, their biological functions in rice remain unclear. In this paper, we found that OsOSCA1.1 mediates OICIcyt and SICIcyt in rice roots, which are critical for stomatal closure, plant survival, and gene expression in shoots, in response to hyperosmolality and the salt stress treatment of roots. Compared with wild-type (Zhonghua11, ZH11) plants, OICIcyt and SICIcyt were abolished in the roots of 10-day-old ososca1.1 seedlings, in response to treatment with 250 mM of sorbitol and 100 mM of NaCl, respectively. Moreover, hyperosmolality- and salt stress-induced stomatal closure were also disrupted in a 30-day-old ososca1.1 mutant, resulting in lower stomatal resistance and survival rates than that in ZH11. However, overexpression of OsOSCA1.1 in ososca1.1 complemented stomatal movement and survival, in response to hyperosmolality and salt stress. The transcriptomic analysis further revealed the following three types of OsOSCA1.1-regulated genes in the shoots: 2416 sorbitol-responsive, 2349 NaCl-responsive and 1844 common osmotic stress-responsive genes after treated with 250 mM of sorbitol and 125 mM NaCl of in 30-day-old rice roots for 24 h. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that these OsOSCA1.1-regulated genes were relatively enriched in transcription regulation, hormone response, and phosphorylation terms of the biological processes category, which is consistent with the Cis-regulatory elements ABRE, ARE, MYB and MYC binding motifs that were overrepresented in 2000-bp promoter regions of these OsOSCA1.1-regulated genes. These results indicate that OsOSCA-mediated calcium signaling specifically regulates gene expression, in response to drought and salt stress in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium acts as a universal secondary messenger that transfers developmental cues and stress signals for gene expression and adaptive growth. A prior study showed that abiotic stresses induce mutually independent cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) and nucleosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]nuc) increases in Arabidopsis thaliana root cells. However, gene expression networks deciphering [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]nuc signalling pathways remain elusive. Here, using transgenic A. thaliana to selectively impair abscisic acid (ABA)- or methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]nuc increases, we identified [Ca2+]cyt- and [Ca2+]nuc-regulated ABA- or MeJA-responsive genes with a genome oligo-array. Gene co-expression network analysis revealed four Ca2+ signal-decoding genes, CAM1, CIPK8, GAD1, and CPN20, as hub genes co-expressed with Ca2+-regulated hormone-responsive genes and hormone signalling genes. Luciferase complementation imaging assays showed interactions among CAM1, CIPK8, and GAD1; they also showed interactions with several proteins encoded by Ca2+-regulated hormone-responsive genes. Furthermore, CAM1 and CIPK8 were required for MeJA-induced stomatal closure; they were associated with ABA-inhibited seed germination. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the unique expression pattern of [Ca2+]-regulated hormone-responsive genes in cam1, cipk8, and gad1. This comprehensive understanding of distinct Ca2+ and hormonal signalling will allow the application of approaches to uncover novel molecular foundations for responses to developmental and stress signals in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although studies have established a link between lipid metabolism disorder and osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), the characteristics of the circulating lipidome signature of ONFH have not yet been investigated and need to be explored. Objectives: We aimed to explore the plasma lipidome signatures in patients with ONFH, and to identify specific lipid biomarkers of ONFH. Methods: In this study, a comprehensive detection and analysis of plasma lipidomics was conducted in clinical human cohort, including 32 healthy normal control (NC) subjects and 91 ONFH patients in different subgroups [alcohol-induced ONFH (AONFH), steroid-induced ONFH (SONFH), and traumatic-induced ONFH (TONFH)] or at different disease stages (stage I, II, III and IV of ONFH) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results: Overall, the plasma lipidome profile differs between ONFH and NC samples. Lipidome signature including 22 common differentially expressed lipids (DELs) in all three subgroups (variable importance in projection > 1, P < 0.05, fold change > 1.5 or < 0.67, compared to the NC group) was identified. Besides, the subtype-specific lipidome profiles for each ONFH subgroup were also analyzed. Generally, the AONFH subgroup has the largest number of DELs, and the plasma levels of triacylglycerol lipid compounds increased obviously in the AONFH samples. In the subgroup of SONFH, the relative abundance of lipid 4-Aminobenzoic acid increased significantly with changes in the expression of several of its interactive genes. We have identified that 9 stage-positive and 2 stage-negative lipids may function as novel biomarkers predicting the progression of ONFH. Conclusion: Our study presents an overview of the phenotype-related plasma lipidome signature of patients with ONFH. The results will provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the metabolism of lipids in the pathogenesis and progression of ONFH and help identify novel lipids biomarkers or disease diagnosis and treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene response factor (ERF) Group VII members generally function in regulating plant growth and development, abiotic stress responses, and plant immunity in Arabidopsis; however, the details of the regulatory mechanism by which Group VII ERFs mediate plant immune responses remain elusive. Here, we characterized one such member, ERF72, as a positive regulator that mediates resistance to the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Compared with the wild-type (WT), the erf72 mutant showed lower camalexin concentration and was more susceptible to B. cinerea , while complementation of ERF72 in erf72 rescued the susceptibility phenotype. Moreover, overexpression of ERF72 in the WT promoted camalexin biosynthesis and increased resistance to B. cinerea. We identified the camalexin-biosynthesis genes PAD3 and CYP71A13 and the transcription factor WRKY33 as target genes of ERF72. We also determined that MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylated ERF72 at Ser151 and improved its transactivation activity, resulting in increased camalexin concentration and increased resistance to B. cinerea. Thus, ERF72 acts in plant immunity to coordinate camalexin biosynthesis both directly by regulating the expression of biosynthetic genes and indirectly by targeting WRKK33. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Workers in electronics manufacturers may be exposed to various occupational hazards such as isopropanol, lead, and noise. Telomeres are special segments of cap-like DNA protein complex at end of liner chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. Telomere length is a potential marker of genetic damage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of occupational hazards on the relative telomere length (rTL) of peripheral blood cells of workers in an electronics manufacturer, and to explore whether relative telomere length could be a biomarker for assessing genetic damage in the electronics manufacturing industry. Methods: We investigated a large-scale electronics manufacturer in the Pearl River Delta Region. We ultimately collected 699 qualified workers (248 with isopropanol exposure, 182 with lead exposure, 157 with noise exposure, and 112 controls). During physical examination of the workers, we gave them questionnaires to understand their health statuses and living habits. We also collected peripheral blood samples from these workers to test exposure levels and rTL in the leucocytes. Results: The concentrations of air isopropanol in all monitored workshops was 25.3 mg/m3 and air lead smoke was 0.020 mg/m3. The maximum equivalent continuous A sound level noise exposure position was 82.2dB (A). All were lower than those in the Occupational Exposure Limits in Workplaces in China. Urinary acetone in the isopropanol exposed group was 1.04 (0, 1.50) mg/L, and cumulative urinary acetone was 1.48 (0, 5.09) mg-years/L. Blood lead levels (BLLs) were 28.57 (22.77, 37.06) µg/dL, and cumulative blood lead levels (CBLLs) were 92.75 (55.47, 165.13) µg-years/dL. rTL was different between occupational exposed workers and controls: rTL was 0.140 units (95 % CI: 0.022, 0.259) shorter in lead exposed workers and 0.467 units (95 % CI: 0.276–0.658) shorter in noise exposed workers compared to the controls. There is no statistical difference in rTL between isopropanol exposure workers and the controls. In order to elucidate the relationship between rTL and occupational hazards exposure, we divided the isopropanol exposure workers into three groups (0, ~1.43 mg/L, and >1.43 mg/L). None of the rTL difference was statistically significant among exposed workers at different uroacetone levels (P>0.05). The groups with ≥100 µg/dL blood lead had shorter rTL than the group with blood lead below 100 µg/dL (F=4.422, P=0.013). We incorporated age, gender, birthplace, race, education level, smoking, and alcohol consumption into the linear regression equation. Only blood lead concentration (X) was entered into the regression equation, yielding a multivariate linear regression equation of Y=0.397-0.124X (F=8.091, P=0.005). Workers with different hearing loss also had statistically significant differences in rTL (F=5.731, P=0.004). rTL was a protective factor for the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The longer the rTL, the lower the risk of NIHL [OR=0.64 (0.42, 0.98)]. Conclusions: rTL was shorter in lead exposed workers and noise exposed workers, and it was a protective factor for the occurrence of the noise-induced hearing loss. Thus, rTL of peripheral blood may be a sensitive marker of genetic damage among workers in environments with lead and noise exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In this study, we explored the effect of semaphorin5A (SEMA5A) on RA pathogenesis and its specific TSP1 domain on pannus formation. Methods The expression of SEMA5A was detected in the synovium, the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and the SF of RA patients and healthy controls (HCs) by real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR), immunohistochemistry staining, western blot and ELISA. SEMA5A-mAb intervention was performed to appraise the severity of joints in the CIA model. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis in SEMA5A-transfected FLSs from HCs were performed to screen differentially expressed genes after SEMA5A overexpression. An MTT assay in RA-FLSs, a chicken embryo allantoic membrane experiment and a tube formation experiment were used to clarify the influence of SEMA5A on cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, a rescue experiment verified the function of the TSP1 domain of SEMA5A in the progress of RA with Sema5a−/− CIA mice. Results The expression of SEMA5A increased in RA compared with that in HCs. Simultaneously, SEMA5A-mAbs significantly attenuated joint injury and the inflammatory response in CIA models. In addition, transcriptome sequencing and angiogenesis-related experiments verified the ability of SEMA5A to promote FLS proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, TSP1 was proved to be an essential domain in SEMA5A-induced angiogenesis in vitro. Additionally, rescue of TSP1-deleted SEMA5A failed to reduce the severity of arthritis in a CIA model constructed with Sema5a −/− mice. Conclusion In summary, upregulation of SEMA5A was first confirmed in pathological lesions of RA patients. Furthermore, treatment with SEMA5A-mAbs attenuated the progress of RA in the CIA model. Moreover, TSP1 was indicated as the key domain of SEMA5A in the promotion of pannus formation in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the associations between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and bone mineral density (BMD) induced by ovarian insufficiency in premenopausal women. Subjects were consecutively enrolled from January 2015 to December 2018. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination was set as the gold standard, with T-scores less than −2.5/1 as thresholds for the definition of osteoporosis (OP)/osteopenia. A total of 87 subjects were included in the low BMD group, and 39 subjects were included in the control group. Serum AMH levels were decreased significantly in the low BMD group (p < 0.05) with a negative correlation between AMH and age. Strong positive correlations between AMH and BMD/T-score existed in all subjects and subjects with low BMD, and remained even after age adjustment. An exploratory multivariate regression model indicated that age and AMH remained predictive and might be independent risk factors with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 0.9 (p = 0.009) and 36 (p < 0.001), respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis estimated that the sensitivity and specificity were 78.2 and 76.9%, respectively, for identifying low BMD subjects from controls when the cut-off value for AMH was set to 0.800 ng/mL. Serum AMH levels are associated with low BMD in premenopausal women with suspected ovarian insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rice (Oryza sativa), caryopses located on proximal secondary branches (CSBs) have smaller grain size and poorer grain filling than those located on apical primary branches (CPBs), greatly limiting grain yield. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for developmental differences between CPBs and CSBs remains elusive. In this transcriptome-wide expression study, we identified the gene Aspartic Protease 1 (OsAsp1), which reaches an earlier and higher transcriptional peak in CPBs than in CSBs after pollination. Disruption of OsAsp1 expression in the heterozygous T-DNA line asp1-1+/–eliminated developmental differences between CPBs and CSBs. OsAsp1 negatively regulated the transcriptional inhibitor of auxin biosynthesis, OsTAA1 transcriptional inhibition factor 1 (OsTIF1), to preserve indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) apical dominance in CPBs and CSBs. IAA also facilitated OsTIF1 translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the nucleus by releasing the interaction of OsTIF1 with OsAsp1 to regulate caryopses IAA levels via a feedback loop. IAA promoted transcription of OsAsp1 through MADS29 to maintain an OsAsp1 differential between CPBs and CSBs during pollination. Together, these findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the distributed auxin differential between CPBs and CSBs to regulate distinct caryopses development in different rice branches and potential targets for engineering yield improvement in crops. Author summary: Rice is a major food crop and an important model plant. Compared with caryopses on apical primary branches (CPBs) of rice, those located on proximal secondary branches (CSBs) display smaller grains and poor grain filling, which greatly limit rice yield potential fulfilment, especially among 'super' rice cultivars. In this study, we demonstrated that high indole-3-acetic (IAA) levels upregulated Aspartic Protease 1 (OsAsp1) transcription via MADS29 post-pollination to produce higher OsAsp1 levels in CPBs than in CSBs. OsAsp1 then interacted with OsTAA1 transcriptional inhibition factor 1 (OsTIF1) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to dispel OsTIF1 transcriptional inhibition of OsTAA1, causing IAA content to peak in CPBs at 5 days after fertilisation (DAF). IAA facilitated OsTIF1 translocation from the ER to the nucleus by reducing its interaction with OsAsp1 as feedback regulation of IAA levels in caryopses. Thus, differential auxin levels between CPBs and CSBs are determined by the OsAsp1-OsTIF1 complex, and are essential for the distinct development of CPBs and CSBs, providing potential targets for engineering yield improvement in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional sonic crystal (SC) imaging devices can focus acoustic waves from an input source into only one image but not multi-images. Furthermore, the position of formed image cannot be designed at will. In this paper, we propose the hybrid SC imaging devices to achieve multi-images from one-source input along with the designable image positions. The proposed hybrid devices can image acoustic waves radiated both from point source and Gaussian beam, which is different from conventional SC imaging devices that only applies to point source. The multi-functional hybrid sonic crystal will have extensive application in the manipulation of acoustic images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sharp bending scheme for the self-collimation of acoustic waves is proposed by simply truncating the sonic crystals. An all-angle and wide-band 90°-bending wave guide is demonstrated with nearly perfect transmissions for Gaussian beams at a wide range of incident angles. A 90°-bended imaging for a point source with a subwavelength resolution of 0.37 λ0 is also realized by the proposed structure. These results will find applicability in the manipulation of acoustic waves by sonic crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An easy-to-implement scheme to split self-collimated acoustic beams in sonic crystals (SCs) is proposed by introducing line-defects into SCs, by which an incoming self-collimated beam can be split into a 90°-bended one and a transmitted one with an arbitrary power ratio by adjusting the value of defect size. An all-angle and wide-band splitting instrument is demonstrated with nearly perfect efficiency (more than 90%) for Gaussian beams at a wide range of incident angles. Splitting effect for a point source as input is also realized, in which two subwavelength images of the source, i.e., a bended one and a transmitted one, are formed by our designed splitting structure. Finally, the proposed one-to-two splitting scheme is generalized to one-to-N (N > 2) cases by inserting more rows of line defects into the SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular development critical genes are key determinants in cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesize that SNPs in these genes may play critical roles in the development of hypertension. Therefore, we enrolled 516 paired hypertension patients and controls in a total of 2,742 subjects in a cross-sectional population study by the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Twenty-one SNPs from 5 cardiovascular developmental related genes were detected by the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) method. Conditioned logistic regression under three different genetic models, namely, additive model, dominant model, and recessive model, was performed. The odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to estimate the associations of SNPs with hypertension. We found that the distribution of genotypes at rs833061, rs3025010, and rs699947 within the VEGFA gene and the distribution of alleles at rs3025010 in hypertension subjects were different from those in controls. Both rs833061 and rs3025010 were associated with hypertension in crude models, but only rs3025010 remains associated with hypertension after adjusting with confounding factors in the additive model and the dominant model. We also found that hypertension subjects with C/T and C/C genotypes at rs3025010 had lower SBP and DBP levels. In addition, rs3025010 could interact with rs6784267 within the CCM3 gene in the association. In conclusion, our findings suggest that rs3025010 may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, which may be a potential target for individualized prevention and treatment of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acoustic artificial structures with tunable parameters have attracted much research interest in these days. In this paper, we present a tunable composite waveguide based on the piezoelectric phononic crystal shunted by an inductor circuit. A pass band based on local resonance will emerge in the complete band gap through modulating the shunted inductor circuit. This local-resonant pass band can be used to realize a waveguide. Both the work frequency and the shape of this waveguide can be tuned simultaneously by modulating the inductance and the space distribution of the external inductor circuit. For the excellent tunable ability, the proposed tunable composite waveguide could be useful in elastic wave sensors and frequency filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytohormones brassinosteroid (BR), auxin, and gibberellin (GA) regulate photomorphogenesis-related hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis via the co-operative interaction of BZR-ARF-PIF/DELLA (BAP/D) transcription factors/regulators. In addition, ethylene activates the PIF3 or ERF1 pathway through EIN3/EIL1 to balance hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis seedlings. However, the mechanism by which ethylene is co-ordinated with other phytohormones to produce light-regulated hypocotyl growth remains elusive. In this study, we found that hypocotyl cell elongation is regulated by a network involving ethylene, auxin, and BR signalling, which is mediated by interactions among ERF72, ARF6, and BZR1. ERF72 interacted directly with ARF6 and BZR1 in vitro and in vivo , and it antagonised regulation by ARF6 and BZR1 of the transcription of BEE3 and XTH7. In addition, light modulated the subcellular localisation of ERF72 and transcription of ERF72 through the EIN2-EIN3/EIL1 pathway, facilitating the function of ERF72 in photomorphogenesis. The expression of BEE3 and XTH7 was also regulated by the EIN2-EIN3/EIL1 pathway. Our findings indicate that a revised BZR-ARF-PIF/DELLA-ERF (BAP/DE) module integrates light and hormone signals to regulate hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a graphene-dielectric hybrid metamaterial (GDHM) that supports the quasi-bound state in the continuum (BIC). By rotating one of the LiTaO 3 bars, the quasi-BIC resonance with high quality (Q) factor can be excited. The analysis of multipole decomposition confirms that electric quadrupole dominates this resonance. Moreover, the Q factor of quasi-BIC significantly decreases as the chemical potential of graphene increases, and the tuning transmission is achieved by changing the chemical potential of graphene. A low-energy THz-wave modulator is designed based on this scheme, and the designed modulator shows 97% modulation depth with a chemical potential shift of only 16 meV. In addition, the sensing performance of GDHM is investigated, and it is found that the sensitivity can be controlled by chemical potential. The minimum value of the sensing sensitivity can reach up to 308.91 GHz/RIU, and the maximum figure of merit (FOM) is 257.43 RIU−1. When the losses of LiTaO 3 are considered. The modulation depth, sensitivity, and maximum FOM achieve 90%, 309.54 GHz/RIU, and 121.39 RIU−1, respectively. This work provides a valuable reference for designing dynamic optical modulators and sensors in the THz region. • The graphene dielectric hybrid-metamaterial can achieve the quasi-bound state in the continuum resonant modes. • The graphene-dielectric hybrid metamaterial can be used for optical modulation and refractive index sensing. • The transmission spectra can be dynamically controlled by the chemical potential of graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a tunable graphene metamaterial absorber (TGMA) as a bifunctional terahertz sensor. The TGMA can excite one peak with a maximum absorption of 99.9%, and the physical mechanism of the absorption is explained by introducing the coupled mode theory. The simulation results show that the absorptivity can be dynamically adjusted by changing the chemical potential of graphene. The TGMA exhibits excellent absorption performance under a wide range of incident angles for transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) polarizations, respectively. More importantly, the TGMA can operate as a temperature sensor with a sensitivity of 6.2 GHz/K and a refractive index sensor with a sensitivity of 1.43 THz/RIU in both TE and TM polarizations under normal incidence. In addition, the effect of polarization angle on the sensing sensitivity is investigated. The simulation results indicate that the sensitivity is completely independent of the polarization angle for temperature and refractive index sensing, respectively. In a word, the demonstration of this bifunctional terahertz sensor offers an alternative solution for developing multifunctional metamaterial devices in the THz range. • The proposed bifunctional terahertz sensor can work in transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) polarizations. • The proposed bifunctional terahertz sensor can be used for temperature and refractive index sensing. • The proposed bifunctional terahertz sensor is polarization insensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate theoretically subwavelength imaging by acoustic metamaterial slabs immersed in the liquid matrix. A near-field subwavelength image formed by evanescent waves is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with negative mass density and positive modulus. A subwavelength real image is achieved by a designed metamaterial slab with simultaneously negative mass density and modulus. These results are expected to shed some light on designing novel devices of acoustic metamaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulated the composition and temperature dependence of the Si and Si1–xGex Raman shift from the perspectives of bond order–length–strength correlation and local bond average approach. It is verified that the Raman shift Δω varies in the form of Δω ∝ zE1/2/d, with inclusion of bond length d and energy E changing with temperature and composition. Numerical reproduction of the thermally induced Si1–xGex phonon softening indicates that bond thermal expansion and energy loss dictate the frequency redshift, which resulted in quantitative information on the bond energy and the reference frequencies from which the Raman shifts proceed. Observations not only gain deeper insight into the mechanism of the Raman shift but also demonstrate the revealing power of Raman technique for the bonding thermodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-terminal-TM-C2 domain proteins (NTMC2), which share domain architecture and sequence similarity to synaptotagmins (Syts) in mammals and FAM62 (extended Syts) in metazoans, form a small gene family in plants. Previous studies showed that the Arabidopsis thaliana NTMC2 type 1.1 protein (NTMC2T1.1, named AtSyt1) possesses calcium- and membrane-binding activities that allow it to function in a plasma membrane repair pathway induced by stress. However, we lack understanding of the diverse biological roles of plant NTMC2 family genes. In this study, a total of 13 OsNTMC2 genes was identified through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the rice ( Oryza sativa L.) genome and classified into six OsNTMC2 groups ( OsNTMC2T1 to OsNTMC2T6 ) based on phylogeny and motif constitution. OsNTMC2T1 to OsNTMC2T3 have two calcium-binding domains (C2A and C2B), but OsNTMC2T4 to OsNTMC2T6 have single C2 domain. The expression profiles of OsNTMC2 genes were analysed at different stages of vegetative and reproductive development. This analysis revealed that at least one OsNTMC2 gene was abundantly expressed at each stage of development. These results should facilitate research on this gene family and provide new insights elucidating their functions in higher plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the fermentation quality and nutritive value of total mixed ration (TMR) silages based on desert wormwood (DW) combined with early stage corn (ESC) as forage and determine an optimum formula. Desert wormwood and ESC were harvested, chopped, and mixed with other ingredients according to a formula, packed into laboratory silos at densities of 500-550 g/L, and stored in the dark for 60 days. The DW proportions in the forage of TMR were 1, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 and 0, based on fresh weight. As the proportion of DW decreased, the pH also decreased ( P < 0.05), while lactic acid, lactic acid/acetic acid, crude protein, starch, and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased ( P < 0.05). Ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen in the TMR silages with DW proportions of 0.75, 0.25 and 0 in the forage was more than 10%. These results indicated that the quality of the TMR silage containing DW alone as forage was poor, TMR silages containing DW proportions of 0.75 and 0.25, and ESC alone, in the forage were not well preserved. The optimum TMR silage formula contained a DW proportion of 0.5 in the forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]