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This study investigated the nutritional components of Castanopsis hystrix seeds and evaluated their potential commercial value, regarding multi-function management of C. hystrix plantations. The following nutritional components of Castanopsis hystrix seeds were determined according to national standards: starch, fat, protein, reducing sugars, and amino acids. The chemical composition of their 50% benzene-alcohol(v/v) extracts was analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed that the contents of water, starch, fat, protein, and reducing sugar in the seeds were 36.08%, 68.11 g/100g, 0.3 g/100g, 3.98 g/100g, and 0.75 g/100g, respectively. The total amino acid content in the seeds is 3.42 g/100g, containing 16 kinds of amino acids, with 8 essential amino acids, which amount to 1.09g/100g. The amino acid SRC value was 84.02, indicating high nutritional value. A total of 26 compounds were identified in the extract of these seeds, with the highest content of aldehydes. The main compounds were 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (23.37%), melezitose (15.88%), palmitic acid (9.04%), and stearic acid (5.23%). The above analysis indicates that Castanopsis hystrix seeds have high nutritional value, as well as potential antioxidant and anti-tumor properties, which may have the potential to be used in food and medicine fields, with broad application prospects.

IntroductionCircular RNA CDR1as/ciRS-7 has been reported to function as an oncogenic regulator in various cancers. However, the prognostic value of CDR1as/ciRS-7 expression in solid tumors remains unclear. Herein, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to investigate the association between CDR1as/ciRS-7 expression and clinical outcomes in solid tumors.MethodsA systematic search was performed through the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Ovid databases for eligible studies on clinical values of CDR1as/ciRS-7 in solid tumors. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the correlation between CDR1as/ciRS-7 and clinical outcomes.ResultsA total of 2424 patients from 17 studies between 2017 and 2023 were included. The results suggested that elevated CDR1as/ciRS-7 expression predicted a poor overall survival (OS) for 12 types of solid tumors (HR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.43-2.60, P

Pigment is one of the most important metabolites in red yeast rice. However, citrinin may accumulate and cause quality security issues. In the present study, the effect of ascorbic acid (EAA) on the pigment and citrinin was studied, and the metabolic mechanism was discussed using comparative transcriptomics. The introduction of EAA increased the pigment by 58.2% and decreased citrinin by 65.4%. The acid protease activity, DPPH scavenging rate, and total reducing ability also increased by 18.7, 9.0, and 26.7%, respectively. Additionally, a total of 791 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 79 metabolic pathways were annotated, among which carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism were closely related to the biosynthesis of pigment and citrinin. Ethanol dehydrogenase (M pigC), oxidoreductase (M pigE), reductase (M pigH), and monooxygenase (M pigN) may be related to the increase of pigment. ctnC and pksCT contributed to the decline of citrinin.

Abstract The demand‐side DC electricity‐using equipment and newly integrated renewables are driving the transformation of power distribution and utilization mode. The building system based on DC technology is emerging as a promising option. In the low‐voltage DC building distribution and utilization system (LVDCBDUS), global energy optimization management and operational control arrangement are key components. To obtain exemplary achievements of those, two different DC building energy management system (DC BEMS) integration schemes are investigated according to the respective features and application‐required functions of various system networking structures. Centralized and decentralized control strategies are presented and discussed for buildings with AC–DC transformation and newly built LVDCBDUSs. On this basis, the centralized DC BEMS and operational control strategy are applied to the first multi‐scenario low‐carbon city‐based future building project—Shenzhen IBR Future Complex. The operation data are recorded and analysed. Problems encountered during the implementation are summarized, and requirements of converter equipment, new technologies and marketization are further discussed to promote the high‐quality development of the LVDCBDUS.

Catechins are phenolic compounds with various health benefits such as anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial. However, catechins have poor thermal stability and low bioavailability. Besides, dietary intake of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and other substances is prone to interact with catechins in the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion process of catechins, which affects their bioavailability and physiological activity. In addition, synergistic effects may occur when two or more natural polyphenolic compounds are applied in combination, including inhibition of food production and processing contaminants, weight loss, hypoglycemia, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Therefore, this paper mainly reviews the effects of dietary components on the bioavailability of catechins and elucidates the mechanisms of interaction between catechins and dietary polyphenols and the application prospects in synergistic effects.

Abstract Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years with clinical efficacy. Natural products and their effective agents such as artemisinin and paclitaxel have saved millions of lives worldwide. Artificial intelligence is being increasingly deployed in TCM. By summarizing the principles and processes of deep learning and traditional machine learning algorithms, analyzing the application of machine learning in TCM, reviewing the results of previous studies, this study proposed a promising future perspective based on the combination of machine learning, TCM theory, chemical compositions of natural products, and computational simulations based on molecules and chemical compositions. In the first place, machine learning will be utilized in the effective chemical components of natural products to target the pathological molecules of the disease which could achieve the purpose of screening the natural products on the basis of the pathological mechanisms they target. In this approach, computational simulations will be used for processing the data for effective chemical components, generating datasets for analyzing features. In the next step, machine learning will be used to analyze the datasets on the basis of TCM theories such as the superposition of syndrome elements. Finally, interdisciplinary natural product-syndrome research will be established by unifying the results of the two steps outlined above, potentially realizing an intelligent artificial intelligence diagnosis and treatment model based on the effective chemical components of natural products under the guidance of TCM theory. This perspective outlines an innovative application of machine learning in the clinical practice of TCM based on the investigation of chemical molecules under the guidance of TCM theory.

Abstract Critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality and potential genetic factors have been reported to be involved in the development of critical COVID-19. We performed a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic factors responsible for developing critical COVID-19. 632 critical patients with COVID-19 and 3021 healthy controls from the Chinese population were recruited. First, we identified a genome-wide significant difference of IL-6 rs2069837 (p = 9.73 × 10−15, OR = 0.41) between 437 critical patients with COVID-19 and 2551 normal controls in the discovery cohort. When replicated these findings in a set of 195 patients with critical COVID-19 and 470 healthy controls, we detected significant association of rs2069837 with COVID-19 (p = 8.89 × 10−3, OR = 0.67). This variant surpassed the formal threshold for genome-wide significance (combined p = 4.64 × 10−16, OR = 0.49). Further analysis revealed that there was a significantly stronger expression of IL-6 in the serum from patients with critical COVID-19 than in that from patients with asymptomatic COVID-19. An in vitro assay showed that the A to G allele changes in rs2069837 within IL-6 obviously decreased the luciferase expression activity. When analyzing the effect of this variant on the IL-6 in the serum based on the rs2069837 genotype, we found that the A to G variation in rs2069837 decreased the expression of IL-6, especially in the male. Overall, we identified a genetic variant in IL-6 that protects against critical conditions with COVID-19 though decreasing IL-6 expression in the serum.

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a hereditary disorder that can cause vision loss. CTNND1 encodes a cellular adhesion protein p120-catenin (p120), which is essential for vascularization with unclear function in postnatal physiological angiogenesis. Here, we applied whole-exome sequencing to 140 probands of FEVR families and identified 3 candidate variants in the human CTNND1 gene. We performed inducible deletion of Ctnnd1 in the postnatal mouse endothelial cells (ECs) and observed typical phenotypes of FEVR with reactive gliosis. Using unbiased proteomics analysis combined with experimental approaches, we conclude that p120 is critical for the integrity of adherens junctions (AJs) and that p120 activates Wnt signaling activity by protecting β-catenin from glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta–ubiqutin–guided (Gsk3β-ubiquitin–guided) degradation. Treatment of CTNND1-depleted human retinal microvascular ECs with Gsk3β inhibitors LiCl or CHIR-99021 enhanced cell proliferation. Moreover, LiCl treatment increased vessel density in Ctnnd1-deficient mouse retinas. Variants in CTNND1 caused FEVR by compromising the expression of AJs and Wnt signaling activity. Genetic interactions between p120 and β-catenin or α-catenin revealed by double-heterozygous deletion in mice showed that p120 regulates vascular development through the Wnt/cadherin axis. In conclusion, variants in CTNND1 can cause FEVR through the Wnt/cadherin axis.

Abstract The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is an ongoing global health emergency. However, the virus’ pathogenesis remains unclear, and there is no cure for the disease. We investigated the dynamic changes of blood immune response in patients with COVID-19 at different stages by using 5’ gene expression, T cell receptor (TCR), and B cell receptors (BCR) V(D)J transcriptome analysis at a single-cell resolution. We obtained single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of 341,420 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 185,430 clonotypic T cells and 28,802 clonotypic B cells from 25 samples of 16 patients with COVID-19 for dynamic studies. In addition, we used three control samples. We found expansion of dendritic cells (DCs), CD14+ monocytes, and megakaryocytes progenitor cells (MP)/platelets and a reduction of naïve CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with COVID-19, along with a significant decrease of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells (NKs) in patients in critical condition. The type I interferon (IFN-I), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and ferroptosis pathways were activated while the disease was active, and recovered gradually after patient conditions improved. Consistent with this finding, the mRNA level of IFN-I signal-induced gene IFI27 was significantly increased in patients with COVID-19 compared with that of the controls in a validation cohort that included 38 patients and 35 controls. The concentration of interferon-α (IFN-α) in the serum of patients with COVID-19 increased significantly compared with that of the controls in an additional cohort of 215 patients with COVID-19 and 106 controls, further suggesting the important role of the IFN-I pathway in the immune response of COVID-19. TCR and BCR sequences analyses indicated that patients with COVID-19 developed specific immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Our study reveals a dynamic landscape of human blood immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing clues for therapeutic potentials in treating COVID-19.

For the implementation of power market in China, medium- and long-term security checks are essential for bilateral transactions, of which the electricity quantity that constitutes the generation feasible region (GFR) is the target. However, uncertainties from load forecasting errors and transmission contingencies are threats to medium- and long-term electricity trading in terms of their influences on the GFR. In this paper, we present a graphic distortion pattern in a typical three- generator system using the Monte Carlo method and projection theory based on security constrained economic dispatch. The underlying potential risk to GFR from uncertainties is clearly visualized, and their impact characteristics are discussed. A case study on detailed GFR distortion was included to demonstrate the effectiveness of this visualization model. The result implies that a small uncertainty could distort the GFR to a remarkable extent and that different line-contingency precipitates disparate the GFR distortion patterns, thereby eliciting great emphasis on load forecasting and line reliability in electricity transactions.

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) has drawn significant attention due to its suppression of immune functions in animals and even humans. In order to explore the mechanism through which BDE-209 affects the immune system, broiler chicks were fed a diet containing various concentrations of BDE-209 (0, 0.004, 0.04, 0.4, and 4 g/kg) for 42 days. Histopathological observations of immune organs found damaged and necrotic lymphocytes in the spleen and bursa, and losses of lymphoid cells in thymic gland. The activities of catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in both the spleen and serum were affected by BDE-209. Obvious bioaccumulation effect was found in spleen tissues (high to 1339 ± 181.9 μg/kg). Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing analyses of the spleen identified 424 upregulated and 301 downregulated DEGs, and the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signal pathway was most significantly enriched based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Quantitative real-time PCR affirmed the decreased expressions of interleukin IL18, IL18R1, IL18RAP, IL21, as well as interferon gamma IFNG and tumor necrosis factor superfamily members TNFSF8, indicating significant interference to immunomodulation function and possible disease progression in inflammatory effects resulting from BDE-209 exposure. The immunotoxicity of BDE-209 may cause the suppression of immune and physiological functions of spleen cells, leading to inflammation and apoptosis and ultimately spleen atrophy.

The asparaginase and isoaspartyl peptidase 1 (ASRGL1) is an L-asparaginase and beta-aspartyl peptidase enzyme that may be involved in the formation of L-aspartate, a neurotransmitter that can operate as an excitatory neurotransmitter in some brain regions. Although variants in ASRGL1 have been reported in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, the in vivo functions and mechanisms of ASRGL in RP remains unknown due to the lack of suitable disease models. To explore the role of ASRGL in RP, we generated an Asrgl1 knockout mouse model (Asrgl1 KO) using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Asrgl1 ablation in mice led to an attenuated electroretinogram (ERG) response around 8 months. The thickness of the outer nuclei layer (ONL) started to decrease around 9 months in Asrgl1 KO mice and gradually intensified at 12 and 15 months. Immunostaining revealed thinner inner segment (IS) and thinner outer segment (OS) as well as the progressive degeneration of rod and cone cells in Asrgl1 KO mice. One hundred forty-nine transcriptional differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found by RNA-seq in Asrgl1 KO retina. These DEGs were linked to a number of biological processes that were considerably enriched, including gastrointestinal disease and organismal injury and abnormalities. By analysis of canonical pathways, glucocorticoid receptor signaling was the most significant canonical pathway altered in Asrgl1 KO retina. Several molecules, including NFE2L2, IL-4, Foxp3, and Fos, were in the central nodes of the interaction network in Asrgl1 KO retina. In summary, our study provided a knockout mouse model for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism for ASRGL1-related RP.

Radioactive substances have been used in various aspects in daily life. However, high-energy radiation could cause environmental problems, which would damage the human body. Circular RNA (CircRNA) has great potential in the minimization of ionizing radiation damage. To find a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for reducing the damage of ionizing radiation, we selected circRNA cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor subunit 1 (circ-CPSF1) based on its up-regulated expression after X-ray radiation and explored its effect on response to ionizing radiation using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Circ-CPSF1 was screened out and its up-regulated expression was verified. The measurement of lifespan and germ cell apoptosis showed that circ-CPSF1 RNAi treatment extended lifespan and reduced apoptotic germ cells. ROS levels were significantly reduced after the interference of circ-CPSF1 in C. elegans with radiation. Mitochondrial membrane potential assay showed that the suppression of circ-CPSF1 could alleviate mitochondrial damage after radiation. Relative genes expression showed the involvement of circ-CPSF1 in radiation mediated DNA damage response pathways and apoptosis pathways. In conclusion, circ-CPSF1 exerts deleterious effects on lifespan, eggs production and germ cell apoptosis of C. elegans through oxidative stress, the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway, and the core apoptotic pathway after ionizing radiation, indicating the potential of circ-CPSF1 to be an important therapeutic target of radiation damage.

Abstract As the major pipeline for transporting oxygen and nutrients to living tissues, well‐ordered and functional vasculature is vital to maintain the function of organisms. The cerebrovascular disorders induced by acute or chronic diseases, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and brain tumors, could cause vascular cognitive impairment and even mortality. Due to the complication of these cerebrovascular diseases, early diagnosis and monitoring their pathological processes in real time in animal models could enlighten us with insights into early prevention and effective treatment. Over the last decade, the NIR‐II fluorescence imaging technology has been well developed in both nanofluorophores and imaging systems. For cerebrovascular disorders, the collaborative use of wide‐field imaging setup with NIR‐II nanoprobes enable arteriovenous staging, and calculation of blood flow velocity to distinguish ischemic area in TBI and stroke. The changes in molecular and cellular levels of TBI provide the guidance on the design of targeted and activatable NIR‐II nanoprobes for evaluating and monitoring the microenvironment variations. For the brain tumors, both targeted strategy and focus ultrasound sonication are efficient approaches for overcoming the blood‐brain‐barrier and brain‐tumor‐barrier for delivery of nanoprobes. Therefore, NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided surgical navigation of brain tumors and resected lesions biopsy intraoperatively ensure the accuracy of surgery based on the precise definition of tumor margins. This review summarizes the recent advances in NIR‐II fluorescence imaging technology, which is mainly inclusive of well‐developed NIR‐II nanofluorophores and their applications in cerebrovascular diseases with address of its challenges and great potential in these aspects.

Paeoniflorin has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, immune regulatory and pain-relieving effects, amongst other roles. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of paeoniflorin on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain under investigation; the objective of the current study was to evaluate these protective effects in the context of an RA model. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, as follows: The control group, the RA rat model group, and the paeoniflorin groups, in which paeoniflorin was administered at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The pain thresholds and arthritic symptoms of the RA rats were measured. Oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were also analyzed and western blot analysis was used to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression levels. Paeoniflorin significantly increased the pain threshold and decreased the arthritic symptoms in the RA rat model. Notably, paeoniflorin reduced the malondialdehyde concentration and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin attenuated the activity of nuclear factor-κB p65 unit, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and reduced the COX-2 protein expression level. The present study indicates that paeoniflorin ameliorates disease in rat models of RA through oxidative stress, inflammation and alterations to COX-2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feruloyl esterase (FAE)-producing micro-organisms to obtain ferulic acid (FA) from natural substrates have good industrial prospects, and the synergistic effect of multiple bacteria can better improve the yield of FA. In this study, on the premise of the synergistic effect of FAE, hemicellulose, and cellulase, the key strain Klebsiella oxytoca Z28 with FAE was combined with CMCase and Xylanase-producing strains to produce FA. The combination of strains with higher FA production are Klebsiella oxytoca Z28, Klebsiella pneumoniae JZE, Bacillus velezensis G1, and their FA production can reach 109.67 μg/g, which is 15% higher than that of single bacteria. To explore the effects of temperature, Ph, inoculum amount, distillers grains concentration and fermentation time on the FAE activity of the combination of strains in the fermentation process, and determined that temperature, Ph, and fermentation time were the main influencing factors and optimized through orthogonal design. The optimized fermentation conditions are 34 °C, Ph 8.0, and fermentation days for 6 days, the FAE activity can reach 270.78 U/L, and the FA yield of the combined strain is 324.50 μg/g, which is 200% higher than that of single-strain fermentation.

A new species of Rosaceae from Central China, Prunus sunhangii D. G. Zhang & T. Deng, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The new species is placed in Prunus subgenus Cerasus by flower and fruit characteristics. It is most similar to Prunus cerasoides, but differs by having longitudinally 2-lobed apical petals, an acuminate leaf apex, 17–25 stamens, white petals, dark black drupes, brown hypanthium, and different phenology. The phylogenetic placement of this species was assessed based on morphological and molecular data. Molecular analysis (cpDNA + ITS) corroborated its placement in subgenus Cerasus, specifically Prunus section Serrula. Keywords: Phylogenetic analyses, Taxonomy, Cerasus, Section Serrula

The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Allium ferganicum was sequenced and annotated. The whole chloroplast genome consists of 153,126 bp with a typical quadripartite structure separated by a pair of 26,556 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions. The structure also includes the large single copy (LSC) − 81,982 bp and the small single copy (SSC) − 18,033 bp. The A. ferganicum chloroplast genome encodes 114 unique genes including 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic trees for 35 plastomes genomes showed that A. ferganicum is closely related to A. sativum (garlic) and A. ampeloprasum (leek).

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein complex (EMC) is a conserved protein complex involved in inserting the transmembrane domain of membrane proteins into membranes in the ER. EMC3 is an essential component of EMC and is important for rhodopsin synthesis in photoreceptor cells. However, the in vivo function of Emc3 in bipolar cells (BCs) has not been determined. To explore the role of Emc3 in BCs, we generated a BC-specific Emc3 knockout mouse model (named Emc3 cKO) using the Purkinje cell protein 2 (Pcp2) Cre line. Although normal electroretinography (ERG) b-waves were observed in Emc3 cKO mice at 6 months of age, Emc3 cKO mice exhibited reduced b-wave amplitudes at 12 months of age, as determined by scotopic and photopic ERG, and progressive death of BCs, whereas the ERG a-wave amplitudes were preserved. PKCa staining of retinal cryosections from Emc3 cKO mice revealed death of rod BCs. Loss of Emc3 led to the presence of the synaptic protein mGLuR6 in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Immunostaining analysis of presynaptic protein postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) revealed rod terminals retracted to the ONL in Emc3 cKO mice at 12 months of age. In addition, deletion of Emc3 resulted in elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein, indicating reactive gliosis in the retina. Our data demonstrate that loss of Emc3 in BCs leads to decreased ERG response, increased astrogliosis and disruption of the retinal inner nuclear layer in mice of 12 months of age. Taken together, our studies indicate that Emc3 is not required for the development of BCs but is important for long-term survival of BCs.

Atropanthe sinensis Pascher (genus Atropanthe, family Solanaceae) is an endangered and medical important plant of China. Here, we report the complete plastome of A. sinensis, which was found to be 156,565 bp in length and encodes 114 annotated known unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNAs, and 30 transfer RNAs. Among them, 10 coding genes contained one intron each and two genes (clpP and ycf3) contained two introns each. The result of the phylogenetic analysis showed that genera Scopolia and Przewalskia were placed as sister groups to the Atropanthe.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important messenger molecule and effector molecule. This study aimed to investigate the relation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene polymorphism with ischemic stroke in Han Chinese of North China. This was a case-control study. A total of 413 patients with ischemic stroke were recruited from Han Chinese of North China. There were 201 males and 212 females. In addition, 477 healthy subjects served as controls including 224 males and 253 females. Multiplex SNaPshot was employed to detect nNOS gene polymorphism (rs2293050, rs2139733, rs7308402, and rs1483757). Results showed that the rs1483757, rs2139733, and rs2293050 genotypes and allele frequencies were comparable between patients and controls. However, ischemic stroke patients had significantly reduced AG genotype and A allele frequency when compared with controls (P=0.037, P=0.041). After adjusting confounding factors (gender, age, smoking, history of drinking, hypertension, and diabetes), AG genotype and A allele were still related to ischemic stroke (OR=0.572, 95% CI: 0.335–0.978, P=0.041; OR=0.611, 95% C: 0.378–0.985, and P=0.041) and both were found to be protective factors. Our results showed that rs7308402 gene polymorphism of nNOS is related to ischemic stroke in Han Chinese of North China.