Improving glucose oxidase catalysis in Aspergillus niger via Vitreoscilla hemoglobin fusion protein

Oxygen is crucial for converting glucose to gluconic acid catalyzed by glucose oxidase (Gox). However, industrial gluconic acid production faces oxygen supply limitations. To enhance Gox efficiency, Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) has been considered as an efficient oxygen transfer carrier. This study identified GoxA, a specific isoform of Gox in the industrial gluconic acid-producing strain of Aspergillus niger. Various forms of VHb expression in A. niger were tested to improve GoxA's catalytic efficiency. Surprisingly, the expression of free VHb, both intracellularly and extracellularly, did not promote gluconic acid production during shake flask fermentation. Then, five fusion proteins were constructed by linking Gox and VHb using various methods. Among these, VHb-GS1-GoxA, where VHb's C-terminus connected to GoxA's N-terminus via the flexible linker GS1, demonstrated a significantly higher Kcat/Km value (96% higher) than GoxA. Unfortunately, the expression of VHb-GS1-GoxA in A. niger was limited, resulting in a low gluconic acid production of 3.0 g/L. To overcome the low expression problem, single- and dual-strain systems were designed with tools of SpyCatcher/SpyTag and SnoopCatcher/SnoopTag. In these systems, Gox and VHb were separately expressed and then self-assembled into complex proteins. Impressively, the single-strain system outperformed the GoxA overexpression strain S1971, resulting in 23% and 9% higher gluconic acid production under 0.6 vvm and 1.2 vvm aeration conditions in the bioreactor fermentation, respectively. The successful construction of Gox and VHb fusion or complex proteins, as proposed in this study, presents promising approaches to enhance Gox catalytic efficiency and lower aerodynamic costs in gluconic acid production. KEY POINTS: • Overexpressing free VHb in A. niger did not improve the catalytic efficiency of Gox • The VHb-GS1-GoxA showed an increased Kcat/Km value by 96% than GoxA • The single-strain system worked better in the gluconic acid bioreactor fermentation.

The neural substrates responsible for punishment sensitivity association with procrastination: Left putamen connectivity with left middle temporal gyrus

Procrastination has adverse consequences across cultural contexts. Behavioral research found a positive correlation between punishment sensitivity and procrastination. However, little is known about the neural substrates underlying the association between them. We employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) methods to address this issue with two independent samples. In Sample 1, behavioral results found that punishment sensitivity was positively related to procrastination. The VBM analysis showed that punishment sensitivity was negatively correlated with gray matter volume in left putamen. Subsequently, the RSFC results revealed that left putamen - left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) connectivity was positively associated with punishment sensitivity. More crucially, mediation analysis indicated that left putamen - left MTG connectivity mediated the relationship between punishment sensitivity and procrastination. The aforementioned results were validated in Sample 2. Altogether, left putamen - left MTG connectivity might be the neural signature of the association between punishment sensitivity and procrastination.

High-throughput analysis of hazards in novel food based on the density functional theory and multimodal deep learning

The emergence of cultured meat presents the potential for personalized food additive manufacturing, offering a solution to address future food resource scarcity. Processing raw materials and products in synthetic food products poses challenges in identifying hazards, impacting the entire industrial chain during the industry's further evolution. It is crucial to examine the correlation of biological information at different levels and to reveal the temporal dynamics jointly. Proposed active prevention method includes four aspects: (i) Investigating the molecular-level mechanism underlying the binding and dissociation of hazards with proteins represents a novel approach to mitigate matrix effect. (ii) Identifying distinct fragments is a pivotal advancement toward developing a novel screening strategy for hazards throughout the food chain. (iii) Designing an artificial intelligence model-based approach to acquire multi-dimensional histology data also holds significant potential for various applications. (iv) Integrating multimodal data is a practical approach to enhance evaluation and feedback control accuracy.

Transmission of azithromycin-resistant gene, erm(T), of Gram-positive bacteria origin to Klebsiella pneumoniae

The erm(T) gene encodes the 23 s rRNA methyltransferase and confers erythromycin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria, while has rarely been identified in Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we identified a small IncQ1 plasmid of 6135 bp harboring the erm(T) gene in a clinical K. pneumoniae strain and confirmed the role of the erm(T) gene in mediating azithromycin resistance. This plasmid was found to be generated by incorporating the erm(T) gene from mobile elements into an IncQ1 plasmid. Our data indicated the spread of the erm(T) gene from Gram-positive bacteria to Gram-negative bacteria and the clonal spread of the ST11-KL47 type K. pneumoniae strains carrying this plasmid. Generation of this kind of multi-host plasmid will promote the dissemination of the erm(T) gene among Gram-negative bacteria and result in failures of azithromycin in treating bacterial infections.

Expression analysis and antiviral activity of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) viperin against carp edema virus (CEV)

Viperin, also known as radical S-Adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2), is an IFN stimulated protein that plays crucial roles in innate immunity. Here, we identified a viperin gene from the koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) (kVip). The ORF of kVip is 1047 bp in length, encoding a polypeptide of 348 amino acids with neither signal peptide nor transmembrane protein. The predicted molecular weight is 40.37 kDa and the isoelectric point is 7.7. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that putative kVip contains a radical SAM superfamily domain and a conserved C-terminal region. kVip was highly expressed in the skin and spleen of healthy koi carps, and significantly stimulated in both natural and artificial CEV-infected koi carps. In vitro immune stimulation analysis showed that both extracellular and intracellular poly (I: C) or poly (dA: dT) caused a significant increase in kVip expression of spleen cells. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of recombinant kVip (rkVip) not only reduced the CEV load in the gills, but also improved the survival of koi carps following CEV challenge. Additionally, rkVip administration effectively regulated inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10) and interferon-related molecules (cGAS, STING, MyD88, IFN-γ, IFN-α, IRF3 and IRF9). Collectively, kVip effectively responded to CEV infection and exerted antiviral function against CEV partially by regulation of inflammatory and interferon responses.

Early detection of OXA-232-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in China predating its global emergence

Antibiotic resistance is a global health issue, with Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) posing a particular threat due to its ability to acquire resistance to multiple drug classes rapidly. OXA-232 is a carbapenemase that confers resistance to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics often used as a last resort for treating severe bacterial infections. The study reports the earliest known identification of six OXA-232-producing KP strains that were isolated in Zhejiang, China, in 2008 and 2009 within a hospital, two years prior to the first reported identification of OXA-232 in France. The four KP strains carry the OXA-232 gene and exhibit hypervirulent loci, suggesting a broader temporal and geographical spread and integration of this resistance and virulence than previously recognized with implications for public health. Global analysis of all OXA-232-bearing KP strains revealed that OXA-232-encoding plasmids are conservative, while the strains were very diverse suggesting the plasmid mediated transmission of this carbapenemase genes. Importantly, a large proportion of the OXA-232-bearing KP strains also carried virulence plasmids, in particular the recent emergence of ST15 type of KP that carried both OXA-232-encoding plasmids and hypervirulent (hv) plasmids in China since 2019, highlighting the importance of the emergence of this type of KP strains in clinical setting. The early detection and investigations of OXA-232 in these strains warrants the retrospective studies to uncover the true timeline of antibiotic resistance spread, which could provide valuable insights for shaping future strategies to tackle the global health crisis.

The volume and structural covariance network of thalamic nuclei in patients with Wilson's disease: an investigation of the association with neurological impairment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the volumes of thalamic nuclei and the intrinsic thalamic network in patients with Wilson's disease (WDs), and to explore the correlation between these volumes and the severity of neurological symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 61 WDs and 33 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. The volumes of 25 bilateral thalamic nuclei were measured using structural imaging analysis with Freesurfer, and the intrinsic thalamic network was evaluated through structural covariance network (SCN) analysis.

RESULTS

The results indicated that multiple thalamic nuclei were smaller in WDs compared to HCs, including mediodorsal medial magnocellular (MDm), anterior ventral (AV), central median (CeM), centromedian (CM), lateral geniculate (LGN), limitans-suprageniculate (L-Sg), reuniens-medial ventral (MV), paracentral (Pc), parafascicular (Pf), paratenial (Pt), pulvinar anterior (PuA), pulvinar inferior (PuI), pulvinar medial (PuM), ventral anterior (VA), ventral anterior magnocellular (VAmc), ventral lateral anterior (VLa), ventral lateral posterior (VLp), ventromedial (VM), ventral posterolateral (VPL), and right middle dorsal intralaminar (MDI). The study also found a negative correlation between the UWDRS scores and the volume of the right MDm. The intrinsic thalamic network analysis showed abnormal topological properties in WDs, including increased mean local efficiency, modularity, normalized clustering coefficient, small-world index, and characteristic path length, and a corresponding decrease in mean node betweenness centrality. WDs with cerebral involvement had a lower modularity compared to HCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the majority of thalamic nuclei in WDs exhibit significant volume reduction, and the atrophy of the right MDm is closely related to the severity of neurological symptoms. The intrinsic thalamic network in WDs demonstrated abnormal topological properties, indicating a close relationship with neurological impairment.

Association of Blood Pressure With Brain White Matter Microstructural Integrity Assessed With MRI Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Healthy Young Adults

BACKGROUND

High blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older adults is associated with a brain white matter (WM) microstructural abnormality. However, little evidence is available in healthy young adults. We investigated the associations between high BP and WM microstructural integrity in young adults.

METHODS

This study included 1015 healthy young adults (542 women, 22-37 years) from the Human Connectome Project. Brachial systolic and diastolic BP were measured using a semiautomatic or manual sphygmomanometer. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was acquired to obtain diffusion tensor imaging metrics of free water (FW) content, FW-corrected WM fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity. Using whole-brain voxel-wise linear regression models and ANCOVA, we examined associations of BP and hypertension stage with diffusion tensor imaging metrics after adjusting for age, sex, education, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption history, and differences in the b value used for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Systolic and diastolic BP of the sample (mean±SD) were 122.8±13.0 and 76.0±9.9 mm Hg, respectively. Associations of BP with diffusion tensor imaging metrics revealed regional heterogeneity for FW-corrected fractional anisotropy. High BP and high hypertension stage were associated with higher FW and lower FW-corrected axial diffusivity, FW-corrected radial diffusivity, and FW-corrected mean diffusivity. Moreover, associations of high diastolic BP and hypertension stage with high FW were found only in men not in women.

CONCLUSIONS

High BP in young adults is associated with altered brain WM microstructural integrity, suggesting that high BP may have damaging effects on brain WM microstructural integrity in early adulthood, particularly in men.

[L-DEP regimen salvage therapy for refractory primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection in 4 children]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of the L-DEP regimen (asparaginase, liposome doxorubicin, etoposide and methylprednisolone) as a salvage therapy for the refractory primary hemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis triggered by Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBV-pHLH) in children. Methods: In this retrospective case study, clinical and laboratory data before and after L-DEP regimen of 4 children diagnosed with EBV-pHLH in Beijing Children's hospital between January 2016 and June 2022 were collected, and the efficacy and safety of L-DEP regimen for the treatment of EBV-pHLH were analyzed. Results: Among 4 patients, there were 3 females and 1 male with the age ranged from 0.8 to 7.0 years. Two of them showed compound heterozygous mutations of PRF1, one with a heterozygous mutation of UNC13D, one homozygous mutation of ITK. Before the L-DEP therapy, all of them had anemia and a soaring level of soluble CD25, 3 patients had neutropenia and thrombopenia, 3 patients had a high level of ferritin, 3 patients had hypofibrinogenemia and 1 patient had hypertriglyceridemia. After receiving 1 or 2 cycles of L-DEP treatment, three achieved remission, including complete remission (1 case) and partial remission (2 cases), and the other one had no remission. The levels of blood cell counts, soluble CD25, triglyceride, fibrinogen and albumin were recovered gradually in 3 patients who got remission. All four patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after L-DEP regimen, and three survived. All patients had no severe chemotherapy related complications. The main side effects were bone marrow suppression, infection and pancreatitis, which recovered after appropriate treatments, apart from one who died from severe infection after urgent HSCT. Conclusion: L-DEP regimen could be served as an effective and safe salvage treatment for refractory pediatric EBV-pHLH, and also provide an opportunity for patients to receive HSCT.

An integrated calibration strategy for the development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for accurate quantification of egg allergens (Gal d 1-6) in foods

Accurate determination of egg allergens in food is vital for allergen management and labeling. However, quantifying egg allergens with mass spectrometry poses challenges and lacks validation methods. Here, we developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method for quantifying egg allergens (Gal d 1-6) in foods. Sample extraction, enzymatic digestion, purification, proteins/peptides selection, and calibration curves were optimized. VMVLC[+57]NR (Gal d 1) and GTDVQAWIR (Gal d 5) exhibited outstanding sensitivity and stability, serving as quantitation markers for egg white and yolk. Using a matrix-matched calibration curve with allergen ingredients as calibrants and labeled peptides as standards, we achieved highly accurate quantitation. Validation involved spiking egg protein into egg-free foods, showing excellent sensitivity (LOQ: 1-5 mg/kg), accuracy (62.4 %-88.5 %), and reproducibility (intra-/inter-day precision: 3.5 %-14.2 %/8.2 %-14.6 %). Additionally, we successfully applied this method to commercial food analysis. These findings demonstrate optimal allergen selection, peptides, and calibration strategy are crucial parameters for food allergen quantification via MS-based methods.

[Standardization of next-generation sequencing for detecting mutations associated with targeted therapy and immunotherapy based on dynamic pattern of expandable detection range]

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has laid the foundation for precision oncology care. NGS technologynot only represents an innovation in the methodology but also brings about a revolution in the concept of detecting gene alterations for targeted therapy and immunotherapy of cancers. As basic biomedical research and drug development progress, the landscape of biomarkers associated with gene alterations continues to evolve. Thus, the standardization of NGS-based gene alterations detection should take into account the characteristics of NGS methods and the gene alteration biomarkers. To be specific, whether employed as in vitro diagnostic products or laboratory-developed tests, the detection range can be expanded in response to changes in the clinical evidence level of biomarkers during the process of assay development and clinical application. Such adjustment needs the analytical validation results for supplemented genes or mutant sites within a predefined detection system, which will maximally fulfill the evolving clinical demands in cancer diagnosis and treatment, simultaneously mitigate potential risks effectively. This article primarily discusses the standardization pathway for NGS testing of gene alterations in cancer by focusing on the characteristics of NGS methods, gene alteration biomarkers, and the current status of the standardization of NGS application.

National genomic epidemiology investigation revealed the spread of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli in healthy populations and the impact on public health

BACKGROUND

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) has been considered as WHO priority pathogens, causing a great public health concern globally. While CREC from patients has been thoroughly investigated, the prevalence and underlying risks of CREC in healthy populations have been overlooked. Systematic research on the prevalence of CREC in healthy individuals was conducted here. We aimed to characterize CREC collected from healthy populations in China between 2020 and 2022 and to compare the genomes of CREC isolates isolated from healthy individuals and clinical patients.

METHODS

We present a nationwide investigation of CREC isolates among healthy populations in China, employing robust molecular and genomic analyses. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics were utilized to analyze a cohort of CREC isolates (n = 113) obtained from fecal samples of 5 064 healthy individuals. Representative plasmids were extracted for third-generation nanopore sequencing. We previously collected 113 non-duplicate CREC isolates (59 in 2018, 54 in 2020) collected from ICU patients in 15 provinces and municipalities in China, and these clinical isolates were used to compare with the isolates in this study. Furthermore, we employ comparative genomics approaches to elucidate molecular variations and potential correlations between clinical and non-clinical CREC isolates.

RESULTS

A total of 147 CREC isolates were identified from 5 064 samples collected across 11 provinces in China. These isolates were classified into 64 known sequence types (STs), but no dominant STs were observed. In total, seven carbapenemase genes were detected with blaNDM-5 (n = 116) being the most prevalent one. Genetic environments and plasmid backbones of blaNDM were conserved in CREC isolated from healthy individuals. Furthermore, we compared clinical and healthy human-originated CRECs, revealing noteworthy distinctions in 23 resistance genes, including blaNDM-1, blaNDM-5, and blaKPC (χ2 test, p < 0.05). Clinical isolates contained more virulence factors associated with iron uptake, adhesion, and invasion than those obtained from healthy individuals. Notably, CREC isolates generally found healthy people are detected in hospitalized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the significance of healthy populations-derived CRECs as a crucial reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of CREC isolates in healthy populations to accurately assess the potential risks posed by clinical CREC isolates.

Enhanced visible light photo-Fenton catalysis by Fe-doping oligo-layer natural molybdenite with efficient carrier spatial-driven Fe3+/Fe2+ cycle

Developing cost-effective and efficient photo-Fenton catalysts is crucial for advancing photo-Fenton technology. MoS2 is a representative transition metal disulfide with attractive photoresponsiveness, making it ideal for preparing composite photo-Fenton catalysts. In this study, natural molybdenite was innovatively utilized as a source of MoS2 (OM) to synthesize a low-cost and efficient Fe@MoS2 (OMF) composite photo-Fenton catalyst by comminution and adsorption, which was then applied to the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water. The OMF composites exhibited significant catalytic activity, with a kinetic rate constant of 0.022 min-1, which was 3.1 times higher than that of the original OM (0.007 min-1), indicating a 3% increase. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of many photogenerated electrons and reversible Mo4+/Mo6+ redox pairs, which accelerated the regeneration of Fe2+. After three cyclic tests, the concentrations of dissolved Fe2+ and Mo2+ ions remained below 0.38 mg/L and 0.17 mg/L, respectively. This indicates the high reusability of the catalyst in cyclic experiments. Ultimately, the main active species, •OH and •O2 -, were generated during the photo-Fenton process, contributing significantly to TC degradation. This study may serve as a reference for the development and application of natural mineral composite photo-Fenton catalysts in the treatment of organic wastewater.

Comparison of singleton and twin birth weight reference percentile curves by gestational age and sex in extremely preterm infants: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

With the increasing survival rate of smaller newborns and twins, previous growth curves may not accurately assess the growth of extremely preterm infants (EPIs). Our study aimed to establish birth weight percentile curves for singletons and twins in EPIs from China and the USA and compare the differences between them.

METHODS

In China, EPIs were from 31 provinces, from 2010 to 2021. The collected information was sex, gestational age, birth weight, singletons and twins. We used the generalised additive models for location scale and shape method to construct the birth weight percentile curves by gestational age and sex for EPIs. The National Vital Statistics System database from 2016 to 2021 was also analysed. We compared the differences between the 50th birth weight percentile curves of the two databases.

RESULTS

We identified 8768 neonates in China (5536 singletons and 3232 twins) and 121 933 neonates in the USA (97 329 singletons and 24 604 twins). We established the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th birth weight reference curves for China and the USA. The results showed that males had higher birth weights than females. In China, for the same gestational age and sex, birth weights in singletons and twins were found to be similar, though singleton males born in China had slightly higher birth weights than male twins. In the USA, birth weights were also similar for females and males, with the same gestational age in singletons and twins.

CONCLUSION

We established birth weight reference percentile curves by gestational age and sex for singletons and twins among EPIs in China and the USA.

Enhanced protein-metabolite correlation analysis: To investigate the association between Staphylococcus aureus mastitis and metabolic immune pathways

Mastitis is a disease characterized by congestion, swelling, and inflammation of the mammary gland and usually caused by infection with pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the development of mastitis is closely linked to the exogenous pathway of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing the gut-metabolism-mammary axis remain incompletely understood. The present study revealed alterations in the gut microbiota of mastitis rats characterized by an increased abundance of the Proteobacteria phylum. Plasma analysis revealed significantly higher levels of L-isoleucine and cholic acid along with 7-ketodeoxycholic acid. Mammary tissue showed elevated levels of arachidonic acid metabolites and norlithocholic acid. Proteomic analysis showed increased levels of IFIH1, Tnfaip8l2, IRGM, and IRF5 in mastitis rats, which suggests that mastitis triggers an inflammatory response and immune stress. Follistatin (Fst) and progesterone receptor (Pgr) were significantly downregulated, raising the risk of breast cancer. Extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors and focal adhesion signaling pathways were downregulated, while blood-milk barrier integrity was disrupted. Analysis of protein-metabolic network regulation revealed that necroptosis, protein digestion and absorption, and arachidonic acid metabolism were the principal regulatory pathways involved in the development of mastitis. In short, the onset of mastitis leads to changes in the microbiota and alterations in the metabolic profiles of various biological samples, including colonic contents, plasma, and mammary tissue. Key manifestations include disturbances in bile acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. At the same time, the integrity of the blood-milk barrier is compromised while inflammation is promoted, thereby reducing cell adhesion in the mammary glands. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the metabolic status of mastitis and provide new insights into its impact on the immune system.

Advances in ionogels for proton-exchange membranes

To ensure the long-term performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) have stringent requirements at high temperatures and humidities, as they may lose proton carriers. This issue poses a serious challenge to maintaining their proton conductivity and mechanical performance throughout their service life. Ionogels are ionic liquids (ILs) hybridized with another component (such as organic, inorganic, or organic-inorganic hybrid skeleton). This design is used to maintain the desirable properties of ILs (negligible vapor pressure, thermal stability, and non-flammability), as well as a high ionic conductivity and wide electrochemical stability window with low outflow. Ionogels have opened new routes for designing solid-electrolyte membranes, especially PEMs. This paper reviews recent research progress of ionogels in proton-exchange membranes, focusing on their electrochemical properties and proton transport mechanisms.

Chiral Iridium-Based TLD-1433 Analogues: Exploration of Enantiomer-Dependent Behavior in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

Metallodrug-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents have demonstrated significant superiority against cancers, while their different chirality-induced biological activities remain largely unexplored. In this work, we successfully developed a pair of enantiopure mononuclear Ir(III)-based TLD-1433 analogues, Δ-Ir-3T and Λ-Ir-3T, and their enantiomer-dependent anticancer behaviors were investigated. Photophysical measurements revealed that they display high photostability and chemical stability, strong absorption at 400 nm with high molar extinction coefficients (ε = 5.03 × 104 M-1 cm-1), and good 1O2 relative quantum yields (ΦΔ ≈ 47%). Δ- and Λ-Ir-3T showed potent efficacy against MCF-7 cancer cells, with a photocytotoxicity index of ≤44 238. This impressive result, to the best of our knowledge, represents the highest value among reported mononuclear Ir(III)-based PDT agents. Remarkably, Λ-Ir-3T tended to be more potent than Δ-Ir-3T when tested against SK-MEL-28, HepG2, and LO2 cells, with consistent results across multiple test repetitions.

Analysis of mild and severe neonatal enterovirus infections in a Chinese neonatal tertiary center: a retrospective case-control study

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical characteristics, virus serotype, and outcome in cases of mild and severe enteroviral infection at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in China.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of cases hospitalized between June and August 2019. Samples (stool or throat swabs) were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive cases were divided into two groups: mild infection and severe infection.

RESULTS

A total of 149 cases were assigned to one of two groups: mild infection (n = 104) and severe infection (n = 45). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of sex, gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, and onset within 7 days. Clinical symptoms in both groups mostly resembled sepsis (fever, rash, poor feeding, and lethargy); however, there were significant variations in concomitant symptoms such as hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, encephalitis, coagulopathy, and myocarditis. Severe cases were more likely to have abnormal complete blood counts, biochemical parameters, and cerebrospinal fluid markers. The predominant serotypes implicated in neonatal enterovirus infections were echoviruses and Coxsackievirus B. Invasive ventilation, intravenous immunoglobulin, vasoactive medications, and blood product transfusions were often required, with high mortality rates among severe cases.

CONCLUSION

We found significant differences between mild and severe cases of neonatal enterovirus infection with respect to complications, laboratory findings, and enterovirus serotypes. It is crucial to exercise caution when newborns exhibit symptoms of sepsis, during an enterovirus outbreak. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver function, and coagulation dysfunction should be monitored closely as they could indicate the presence of a severe enteroviral infection.

Boosting the Curie temperature of GaN monolayer through van der Waals heterostructures

The pursuit of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures with high Curie temperature and strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is vital to the advancement of next generation spintronic devices. First-principles calculations are used to study the electronic structures and magnetic characteristics of GaN/VS2vdW heterostructure under biaxial strain and electrostatic doping. Our findings show that a ferromagnetic ground state with a remarkable Curie temperature (477 K), much above room temperature, exists in GaN/VS2vdW heterostructure and 100% spin polarization efficiency. Additionally, GaN/VS2vdW heterostructure still maintains perpendicular magnetic anisotropy under biaxial strain, which is indispensable for high-density information storage. We further explore the electron, magnetic, and transport properties of VS2/GaN/VS2vdW sandwich heterostructure, where the magnetoresistivity can reach as high as 40%. Our research indicates that the heterostructure constructed by combining the ferromagnet VS2and the non-magnetic semiconductor GaN is a promising material for vdW spin valve devices at room temperature. .

Mediterranean diet related to 3-year incidence of cognitive decline: results from a cohort study in Chinese rural elders

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) on cognitive decline among the Chinese elderly with a 3-year follow-up.

METHODS

This study is divided into two waves: wave-1 January 2019 to June 2019 (n = 2313); wave-2 January 2022 to March 2022 (n = 1648). MeDi scores were calculated from the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), with the scoring of low compliance (0-6 points) and high compliance (7-14 points). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive function. An MMSE score dropping ≥ 2 points from baseline was defined as cognitive decline. The relationships between MeDi score and cognitive decline were analyzed by linear regression models or Binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

During the 3-year follow-up, 23.8% of patients exhibited cognitive decline. The study revealed a significant difference in MMSE score changes between low and high MeDi adherence groups (p < 0.001). MeDi score was negatively correlated with cognitive deterioration (β = -0.020, p = 0.026). MeDi score was only negatively associated with cognitive decline in the female subgroup aged ≥65 years (β = -0.034, p = 0.033). The food beans (OR = 0.65, 95%CI:0.51, 0.84), fish (OR = 0.72, 95%CI:0.54, 0.97), and cooked vegetables (OR = 0.68, 95%CI:0.53, 0.84) were protective factors for cognitive decline.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that greater adherence to the MeDi is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline in elderly people. However, this is found only in women who are 65 years old or older. It also found long-term adherence to beans, fish, and vegetables are more effective in improving cognitive function.

Analysis of the transmission chain of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex infections in clinical, intestinal and healthcare settings in Zhejiang province, China (2022-2023)

Considerable attention is given to intensive care unit-acquired infections; however, research on the transmission dynamics of multichain carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex (CRECC) outbreaks remains elusive. A total of 118 non-duplicated CRECC strains were isolated from the clinical, intestinal, and hospital sewage samples collected from Zhejiang province of China during 2022-2023. A total of 64 CRECC strains were isolated from the hospital sewage samples, and their prevalence increased from 10.0 % (95 % confidence interval, CI = 0.52-45.8 %) in 2022 to 63.6 % (95 % CI = 31.6-87.6 %) in 2023. Species-specific identification revealed that Enterobacter hormaechei was the predominant CRECC species isolated in this study (53.4 %, 95 % CI = 44.0-62.6 %). The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles indicated that all 118 CRECC strains conferred high-level resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, ceftacillin/avibactam, and polymyxin. Furthermore, all CRECC strains exhibited resistance to β-lactams, quinolones, and fosfomycin, with a higher colistin resistance rate observed in the hospital sewage samples (67.2 %, 95 % CI = 54.2-78.1 %). Several antibiotic resistance genes were identified in CRECC strains, including Class A carbapenemases (blaKPC-2) and Class B carbapenemases (blaNDM-1/blaIMP), but not Class D carbapenemases. The WGS analysis showed that the majority of the CRECC strains carried carbapenemase-encoding genes, with blaNDM-1 being the most prevalent (86.9 %, 95 % CI = 77.4-92.9 %). Furthermore, sequence typing revealed that the isolated CRECC strains belonged to diverse sequence types (STs), among which ST418 was the most prevalent blaNDM-positive strain. The high risk of carbapenemase-producing ST418 E. hormaechei and the blaNDM-harboring IncFIB-type plasmid (81.4 %, 95 % CI = 72.9-87.7 %) were detected and emphasized in this study. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, genomic characteristics, and plasmid analysis of CRECC strains in diverse populations and environments. The clonal relatedness analysis showed sporadic clonal transmission of ST418 E. hormaechei strains, supporting inter-hospital transmission.

Steering sp-Carbon Content in Graphdiynes for Enhanced Two-Electron Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide

Compared to sp2-hybridized graphene, graphdiynes (GDYs) composed of sp and sp2 carbon are highly promising as efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction into oxygen peroxide because of the high catalytic reactivity of the electron-rich sp-carbon atoms. The desired catalytic capacity of GDY, such as catalytic selectivity and efficiency, can theoretically be achieved by strategically steering the sp-carbon contents or the topological arrangement of the acetylenic linkages and aromatic bonds. Herein, we successfully tuned the electrocatalytic activity of GDYs by regulating the sp-to-sp2 carbon ratios with different organic monomer precursors. As the active sp-carbon atoms possess electron-sufficient π orbitals, they can donate electrons to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) orbitals of O2 molecules and initiate subsequent O2 reduction, GDY with the high sp-carbon content of 50 at% exhibits excellent capability of catalyzing O2 reduction into H2O2. It demonstrates exceptional H2O2 selectivity of over 95.0% and impressive performance in practical H2O2 production, Faraday efficiency (FE) exceeding 99.0%, and a yield of 83.3 nmol s-1 cm-2. Our work holds significant importance in effectively steering the inherent properties of GDYs by purposefully adjusting the sp-to-sp2 carbon ratio and highlights their immense potential for research and applications in catalysis and other fields.

Light-induced giant enhancement of nonreciprocal transport at KTaO3-based interfaces

Nonlinear transport is a unique functionality of noncentrosymmetric systems, which reflects profound physics, such as spin-orbit interaction, superconductivity and band geometry. However, it remains highly challenging to enhance the nonreciprocal transport for promising rectification devices. Here, we observe a light-induced giant enhancement of nonreciprocal transport at the superconducting and epitaxial CaZrO3/KTaO3 (111) interfaces. The nonreciprocal transport coefficient undergoes a giant increase with three orders of magnitude up to 105 A-1 T-1. Furthermore, a strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling effective field of 14.7 T is achieved with abundant high-mobility photocarriers under ultraviolet illumination, which accounts for the giant enhancement of nonreciprocal transport coefficient. Our first-principles calculations further disclose the stronger Rashba spin-orbit coupling strength and the longer relaxation time in the photocarrier excitation process, bridging the light-property quantitative relationship. Our work provides an alternative pathway to boost nonreciprocal transport in noncentrosymmetric systems and facilitates the promising applications in opto-rectification devices and spin-orbitronic devices.

Distinguish MnO2/Mn2+ Conversion/ Zn2+ Intercalation/ H+ Conversion Chemistries at Different Potentials in Aqueous Zn||MnO2 Batteries

The rechargeable aqueous Zn||MnO2 chemistry has been extensively explored, but its electrochemical reaction mechanisms, especially in the context of MnO2/Mn2+ conversion and Zn2+/H+ intercalation chemistry, remain not fully understood. Here, we designed an amphiphilic hydrogel electrolyte, which distinguished the MnO2/Mn2+ conversion, Zn2+ intercalation, and H+ intercalation and conversion processes at three distinct discharge plateaus of an aqueous Zn||MnO2 battery. The amphiphilic hydrogel electrolyte is featured with an extended electrochemical stability window up to 3.0 V, high ionic conductivity, Zn2+-selective ion tunnels, and hydrophobic associations with cathode materials. This specifically designed electrolyte allows the MnO2/Mn2+ conversion reaction at a discharge plateau of 1.75 V. More interesting, the discharge plateaus of ~1.33 V, previously assigned as the co-intercalation of Zn2+ and H+ ions in the MnO2 cathode, are specified as the exclusive intercalation of Zn2+ ions, leading to an ultra-flat voltage plateau. Furthermore, with a distinct three-step electrochemical energy storage process, a high areal capacity of 1.8 mAh cm-2 and high specific energy of 0.858 Wh cm-2, even at a low MnO2 loading mass of 0.5 mg cm-2 are achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first report to fully distinguish different mechanisms at different potentials in aqueous Zn||MnO2 batteries.

P300 intention recognition based on phase lag index (PLI)-rich-club brain functional network

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology based on P300 signals has a broad application prospect in the assessment and diagnosis of clinical diseases and game control. The paper of selecting key electrodes to realize a wearable intention recognition system has become a hotspot for scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, based on the rich-club phenomenon that exists in the process of intention generation, a phase lag index (PLI)-rich-club-based intention recognition method for P300 is proposed. The rich-club structure is a network consisting of electrodes that are highly connected with other electrodes in the process of P300 generation. To construct the rich-club network, this paper uses PLI to construct the brain functional network, calculates rich-club coefficients of the network in the range of k degrees, initially identifies rich-club nodes based on the feature of node degree, and then performs a descending order of betweenness centrality and identifies the nodes with larger betweenness centrality as the specific rich-club nodes, extracts the non-linear features and frequency domain features of Rich-club nodes, and finally uses support vector machine for classification. The experimental results show that the range of rich-club coefficients is smaller with intent compared to that without intent. Validation was performed on the BCI Competition III dataset by reducing the number of channels to 17 and 16 for subject A and subject B, with recognition quasi-departure rates of 96.93% and 94.93%, respectively, and on the BCI Competition II dataset by reducing the number of channels to 17 for subjects, with a recognition accuracy of 95.50%.

Oridonin inhibits bladder cancer survival and immune escape by covalently targeting HK1

BACKGROUND

Hexokinase I (HK1) is highly expressed in a variety of malignancies, regulates glycolytic pathway in cancer cells, and thus considered to be one of the promising molecular targets for cancer therapy. Nonetheless, the development of a specific inhibitor against HK1 remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which oridonin inhibits the proliferation and immune evasion of bladder cancer cells, specifically through the suppression of HK1.

METHODS

To examine the mechanisms by which oridonin directly binds to cysteines of HK1 and inhibits bladder cancer growth, this study utilized a variety of methods. These included the Human Proteome Microarray, Streptavidin-agarose affinity assay, Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) ainding analysis, Mass Spectrometry, Cellular Thermal Shift Assay, Extracellular Acidification Rate measurement, and Xenotransplant mouse models.

RESULTS

As indicated by our current findings, oridonin forms a covalent bond with Cys-813, located adjacently to glucose-binding domain of HK1. This suppresses the enzymatic activity of HK1, leading to an effective reduction of glycolysis, which triggers cell death via apoptosis in cells derived from human bladder cancer. Significantly, oridonin also inhibits lactate-induced PD-L1 expression in bladder cancer. Furthermore, pairing oridonin with a PD-L1 inhibitor amplifies the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells against bladder cancer.

CONCLUSION

This research strongly suggests that oridonin serves as a covalent inhibitor of HK1. Moreover, it indicates that functional cysteine residue of HK1 could operate as viable targets for selective inhibition. Consequently, oridonin exhibits substantial potential for the evolution of anti-cancer agents targeting the potential therapeutic target HK1 via metabolism immunomodulation.

Concurrent Mechanisms of Hot Electrons and Interfacial Water Molecule Ordering in Plasmon-Enhanced Nitrogen Fixation

The participation of high-energy hot electrons generated from the non-radiative decay of localized surface plasmons is an important mechanism for promoting catalytic processes. Herein, another vital mechanism associated with the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, significantly contributing to the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), is found. That is to say, the LSPR-induced strong localized electric fields can weaken the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and regulate the arrangement of water molecules at the solid-liquid interface. The AuCu pentacle nanoparticles with excellent light absorption ability and the capability to generate strong localized electric fields are chosen to demonstrate this effect. The in situ Raman spectra and theoretical calculations are employed to verify the mechanism at the molecular scale in a nitrogen fixation process. Meanwhile, due to the promoted electron transfer at the interface by the well-ordered interfacial water, as well as the participation of high-energy hot electrons, the optimal catalyst exhibits excellent performance with an NH3 yield of 52.09 µg h-1 cm-2 and Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 45.82% at ─0.20 V versus RHE. The results are significant for understanding the LSPR effect in catalysis and provide a new approach for regulating the reaction process.

Eco-friendly flame-retardant bamboo fiber/polypropylene composite based on the immobilization of halloysite nanotubes by tannic acid-Fe3+ complex

Bamboo fibers (BF), as an important sustainable natural material, are becoming a hot alternative to synthetic fibers for the reinforcement of polypropylene (PP)-based composites. However, the weak interfacial compatibility between BF and PP as matrix and their inherent flammability limit the practical application of BF/PP composites (BPC). Here, a fire-safe BPC was fabricated by constructing flame-retardant interfacial layers containing tannic acid (TA)-Fe3+ complex and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the fiber matrix followed by a hot-pressing process. The results showed that the interfacial chelating of TA with Fe3+ improved the dispersion of HNTs on the fibers and the interfacial interactions within the fiber matrix, resulting in the as-fabricated composite with significantly improved mechanical properties and water resistance. In addition, the flame-retardant composite exhibited higher thermal stability and enhanced residual char content. Moreover, the composite possessed significant flame-retardant performances with a reduction of 23.75 % in the total heat release and 32.44 % in the total smoke production, respectively, owing to the flame retarding in gaseous phase and condensed phase of TA-Fe3+@HNTs layers. This work offers a green and eco-friendly strategy to address the inherent problems of BPC material in terms of fire safety and interfacial compatibility, thus broadening their applications in the automotive interior and construction industries.

Major quality regulation network of flavonoid synthesis governing the bioactivity of black wolfberry

Black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) contains various bioactive metabolites represented by flavonoids, which are quite different among production regions. However, the underlying regulation mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis governing the bioactivity of black wolfberry remains unclear. Presently, we compared the bioactivity of black wolfberry from five production regions. Multi-omics were performed to construct the regulation network associated with the fruit bioactivity. The detailed regulation mechanisms were identified using genetic and molecular methods. Typically, Qinghai (QH) fruit exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The higher medicinal activity of QH fruit was closely associated with the accumulation of eight flavonoids, especially Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (K3R) and Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin). Flavonoid biosynthesis was found to be more active in QH fruit, and the upregulation of LrFLS, LrCHS, LrF3H and LrCYP75B1 caused the accumulation of K3R and rutin, leading to high medicinal bioactivities of black wolfberry. Importantly, transcription factor LrMYB94 was found to regulate LrFLS, LrCHS and LrF3H, while LrWRKY32 directly triggered LrCYP75B1 expression. Moreover, LrMYB94 interacted with LrWRKY32 to promote LrWRKY32-regulated LrCYP75B1 expression and rutin synthesis in black wolfberry. Transgenic black wolfberry overexpressing LrMYB94/LrWRKY32 contained higher levels of K3R and rutin, and exhibited high medicinal bioactivities. Importantly, the LrMYB94/LrWRKY32-regulated flavonoid biosynthesis was light-responsive, showing the importance of light intensity for the medicinal quality of black wolfberry. Overall, our results elucidated the regulation mechanisms of K3R and rutin synthesis, providing the basis for the genetic breeding of high-quality black wolfberry.

Association of NUDT15 gene polymorphism with adverse reaction, treatment efficacy, and dose of 6-mercaptopurine in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) serves as the backbone in the maintenance regimens of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We aimed to evaluate the influence of NUDT15 gene polymorphism on the risk of myelosupression, hepatotoxicity and interruption of 6-MP, as well as treatment efficacy and dose of 6-MP in ALL patients. A total of 24 studies with 3,374 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We found 9-fold higher risk of 6-MP induced leukopenia (odds ratio [OR] =9.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.73-21.74) and 2.5-fold higher risk of 6-MP-induced neutropenia (OR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.72-3.69) for NUDT15 c.415C>T variant carriers in the dominant model. Moreover, we found that the dose intensity of 6-MP in ALL patients with one NUDT15 c.415C>T variant alleles (CT) was 19% less than that in wild-type patients (CC) (mean differences: 19.43%, 95% CI: -25.36 to -13.51). The tolerable dose intensity of 6-MP in NUDT15 c.415C>T homozygote variant (TT) and heterozygote variant (CT) carriers was 49% and 15% less than that in wild-type patients, respectively. The NUDT15 c.415C>T variant group (CT+TT) had seven times (OR=6.98, 95% CI: 2.83-17.22) higher risk of developing 6-MP intolerance than the CC group. However, NUDT15 c.415C>T polymorphism did not appear significantly associated with hepatotoxicity, treatment interruption or relapse incidence. We concluded that NUDT15 c.415C>T was a good predictor for 6-MP-induced myelosuppression in ALL patients. The dose intensity of 6-MP in ALL patients with NUDT15 c.415C>T variants was significantly lower than that in wild-type patients. This research provided a basis for further investigation into relations between NUDT15 gene and adverse reaction, treatment efficacy and dose intensity of 6-MP.

Genome comparisons reveal accessory genes crucial for the evolution of apple Glomerella leaf spot pathogenicity in Colletotrichum fungi

Apple Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) is an emerging fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola and other Colletotrichum species. These species are polyphyletic and it is currently unknown how these pathogens convergently evolved to infect apple. We generated chromosome-level genome assemblies of a GLS-adapted isolate and a non-adapted isolate in C. fructicola using long-read sequencing. Additionally, we resequenced 17 C. fructicola and C. aenigma isolates varying in GLS pathogenicity using short-read sequencing. Genome comparisons revealed a conserved bipartite genome architecture involving minichromosomes (accessory chromosomes) shared by C. fructicola and other closely related species within the C. gloeosporioides species complex. Moreover, two repeat-rich genomic regions (1.61 Mb in total) were specifically conserved among GLS-pathogenic isolates in C. fructicola and C. aenigma. Single-gene deletion of 10 accessory genes within the GLS-specific regions of C. fructicola identified three that were essential for GLS pathogenicity. These genes encoded a putative non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, a flavin-binding monooxygenase and a small protein with unknown function. These results highlight the crucial role accessory genes play in the evolution of Colletotrichum pathogenicity and imply the significance of an unidentified secondary metabolite in GLS pathogenesis.

Lipoprotein(a) is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and prediabetes or diabetes

PURPOSE

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and diabetes mellitus (DM) are both associated with adverse events in high-risk patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events (CVEs) remained undetermined in patients with different glucose status. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of Lp(a) levels for recurrent CVEs in high-risk CAD patients who suffered from first CVEs according to different glycemic metabolism.

METHODS

We recruited 5257 consecutive patients with prior CVEs and followed up for recurrent CVEs, including CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke. Patients were assigned to low, medium, and high groups according to Lp(a) levels and further stratified by glucose status.

RESULTS

During a median 37-month follow-up, 225 (4.28%) recurrent CVEs occurred. High Lp(a) was independently associated with recurrent CVEs [adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR), 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-2.19; P = 0.008]. When participants were classified according to Lp(a) levels and glycemic status, high Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased risk of recurrent CVEs in pre-DM (adjusted HR, 2.96; 95% CI 1.24-7.05; P = 0.014). Meanwhile, medium and high Lp(a) levels were both associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVEs in DM (adjusted HR, 3.09; 95% CI 1.30-7.34; P = 0.010 and adjusted HR, 3.13, 95% CI 1.30-7.53; P = 0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased recurrent CVE risk in patients with CAD, particularly among those with pre-DM and DM, indicating that Lp(a) may provide incremental value in risk stratification in this population.

MALDI-TOF MS combined with AUC method for tigecycline susceptibility testing in Escherichia coli

Objectives

The wide spread of tet(X4) gene orthologues in the environment, food, poultry and humans is causing serious tigecycline resistance. Consequently, developing a fast and universal method to detect tigecycline resistance has become increasingly important.

Methods

During 2019-2022, 116 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from nine provinces in China. All isolates were tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents by the microdilution broth method and for the tet(X4) gene by PCR. Ten tet(X4)-positive E. coli isolates were used to confirm certain conditions, including the optimal incubation time, the optimal concentration of tigecycline, and the cut-off of the relative growth (RG) value.

Results

The optimal time and concentration of tigecycline for separation of susceptible and resistant isolates was 2 h and 4 mg/L, and the RG cut-off value was 0.4. We validated whether the experiment was feasible using 116 isolates of E. coli. The method yielded a susceptibility of 94.9% (95% CI: 81.4%-99.1%) and a specificity of 96.1% (95% CI: 88.3%-99.0%).

Conclusions

This research has shown that this optical antimicrobial susceptibility testing method can rapidly differentiate between susceptible and resistant phenotypes in isolates of E. coli. In the same range as the current gold-standard methods, the clinical turnaround time is reduced from 48 h to 2.5 h. The above results suggest that the method has splendid specificity and operationality.

Overview of the recent advances in porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccines

Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing and controlling porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). Conventional vaccines developed from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) GI-a subtypes (CV777 and SM98) have played a vital role in preventing classical PED. However, with the emergence of PEDV mutants in 2010, conventional PEDV GI-a subtype-targeting vaccines no longer provide adequate protection against PEDV GII mutants, thereby making novel-type PED vaccine development an urgent concern to be addressed. Novel vaccines, including nucleic acid vaccines, genetically engineered subunit vaccines, and live vector vaccines, are associated with several advantages, such as high safety and stability, clear targeting, high yield, low cost, and convenient usage. These vaccines can be combined with corresponding ELISA kits to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals, which is beneficial for disease confirmation. This review provides a detailed overview of the recent advancements in PED vaccines, emphasizing on the research and application evaluation of novel PED vaccines. It also considers the future directions and challenges in advancing these vaccines to widespread use in clinics.

Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of efmarodocokin alfa (IL-22Fc)

Efmarodocokin alfa (IL-22Fc) is a fusion protein of human IL-22 linked to the crystallizable fragment (Fc) of human IgG4. It has been tested in multiple indications including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purposes of the present analyses were to describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of efmarodocokin alfa and perform pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis on the longitudinal changes of the PD biomarker REG3A after efmarodocokin alfa treatment as well as identify covariates that affect efmarodocokin alfa PK and REG3A PD. The data used for this analysis included 182 subjects treated with efmarodocokin alfa in two clinical studies. The population PK and PD analyses were conducted sequentially. Efmarodocokin alfa concentration-time data were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach, and an indirect response model was adopted to describe the REG3A PD data with efmarodocokin alfa serum concentration linked to the increase in REG3A. The analysis software used were NONMEM and R. A 3-compartment model with linear elimination best described the PK of efmarodocokin alfa. The estimated population-typical value for clearance (CL) was 1.12 L/day, and volume of central compartment was 6.15 L. Efmarodocokin alfa CL increased with higher baseline body weight, C-reactive protein, and CL was 27.6% higher in IBD patients compared to healthy subjects. The indirect response PD model adequately described the longitudinal changes of REG3A after efmarodocokin alfa treatment. A popPK and PD model for efmarodocokin alfa and REG3A was developed and covariates affecting the PK and PD were identified.

Establishment of replication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus recapitulating SADS-CoV entry

Zoonotic coronaviruses pose a continuous threat to human health, with newly identified bat-borne viruses like swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) causing high mortality in piglets. In vitro studies indicate that SADS-CoV can infect cell lines from diverse species, including humans, highlighting its potential risk to human health. However, the lack of tools to study viral entry, along with the absence of vaccines or antiviral therapies, perpetuates this threat. To address this, we engineered an infectious molecular clone of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), replacing its native glycoprotein (G) with SADS-CoV spike (S) and inserting a Venus reporter at the 3' leader region to generate a replication-competent rVSV-Venus-SADS S virus. Serial passages of rVSV-Venus-SADS S led to the identification of an 11-amino-acid truncation in the cytoplasmic tail of the S protein, which allowed more efficient viral propagation due to increased cell membrane anchoring of the S protein. The S protein was integrated into rVSV-Venus-SADS SΔ11 particles, susceptible to neutralization by sera from SADS-CoV S1 protein-immunized rabbits. Additionally, we found that TMPRSS2 promotes SADS-CoV spike-mediated cell entry. Furthermore, we assessed the serum-neutralizing ability of mice vaccinated with rVSV-Venus-SADS SΔ11 using a prime-boost immunization strategy, revealing effective neutralizing antibodies against SADS-CoV infection. In conclusion, we have developed a safe and practical tool for studying SADS-CoV entry and exploring the potential of a recombinant VSV-vectored SADS-CoV vaccine.IMPORTANCEZoonotic coronaviruses, like swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), pose a continual threat to human and animal health. To combat this, we engineered a safe and efficient tool by modifying the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), creating a replication-competent rVSV-Venus-SADS S virus. Through serial passages, we optimized the virus for enhanced membrane anchoring, a key factor in viral propagation. This modified virus, rVSV-Venus-SADS SΔ11, proved susceptible to neutralization, opening avenues for potential vaccines. Additionally, our study revealed the role of TMPRSS2 in SADS-CoV entry. Mice vaccinated with rVSV-Venus-SADS SΔ11 developed potent neutralizing antibodies against SADS-CoV. In conclusion, our work presents a secure and practical tool for studying SADS-CoV entry and explores the promise of a recombinant VSV-vectored SADS-CoV vaccine.

[Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis.

METHODS

Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay.

RESULTS

Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

The crucial relationship between miRNA-27 and CSE/H2S, and the mechanism of action of GLP-1 in myocardial hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is the most prevalent compensatory heart disease that ultimately leads to spontaneous heart failure. Mounting evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRs) and endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) play a crucial role in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether inhibition of miR-27a could protect against cardiac hypertrophy by modulating H2S signaling. We established a model of cardiac hypertrophy by obtaining hypertrophic tissue from mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and from cells treated with angiotensin-II. Molecular alterations in the myocardium were quantified using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and ELISA. Morphological changes were characterized by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Functional myocardial changes were assessed using echocardiography. Our results demonstrated that miR-27a levels were elevated, while H2S levels were reduced in TAC mice and myocardial hypertrophy. Further luciferase and target scan assays confirmed that cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) was a direct target of miR-27a and was negatively regulated by it. Notably, enhancement of H2S expression in the heart was observed in mice injected with recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 9 (rAAV9)-anti-miR-27a and in cells transfected with a miR-27a inhibitor during cardiac hypertrophy. However, this effect was abolished by co-transfection with CSE siRNA and the miR-27a inhibitor. Conversely, injecting rAAV9-miR-27a yielded opposite results. Interestingly, our findings demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists could mitigate myocardial damage by down-regulating miR-27a and up-regulating CSE. In summary, our study suggests that inhibition of miR-27a holds therapeutic promise for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy by increasing H2S levels. Furthermore, our findings unveil a novel mechanism of GLP-1 agonists involving the miR-27a/H2S pathway in the management of cardiac hypertrophy.

Two Decades' advancements and Research trends in needle-type Sensor technology: A scientometric analysis

Needle-type sensor, characterized by its slender, elongated shape, is a promising sensing method due to its rapid response, high sensitivity, and portability. Recently, the needle-type sensor technology has garnered increasing attention, leading to its accelerated development and extensive use in medical and healthcare, environmental monitoring, and geosciences. However, there remains a need for a comprehensive review of existing research. Here, we utilize scientometric analysis, which is booming recently, to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the needle-type sensor field. This analysis covers various aspects, including annual trends, journals, institutions, countries, disciplines, authors, references, and keywords of 136,667 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database spanning from January 1, 2004, to January 1, 2024. Additionally, we identify current hotspots, frontiers, and predict future trends. Eventually, three research hotspots are refined: multidisciplinary materials science, sensor miniaturization and integration, and biomedical engineering, indicating that further investigations may focus on creating biocompatible materials to enhance sensing properties, optimizing sensor structure through miniaturization and integration methods, and improving clinical applications in biomedical engineering. This work may facilitate the development of needle-type sensors.

Effect of feeding fermented distiller's grains diets on immune status and metabolomics of spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in finishing cattle

To explore the effect of feeding fermented distiller's grains (FDG) diets on spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) immune status and metabolomics in finishing cattle, eighteen Guanling crossbred cattle (18 months old, 250.0 ± 25 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: a basal diet (Control) group, an FDG-15% group, and an FDG-30% group (containing 0%, 15% and 30% FDG to partially replace the concentrates, respectively). After 75 days, the spleens and MLN were collected for detection of relative spleen weight, immune parameters, and metabolomic analysis. Compared with the Control group, FDG-30% group significantly increased (P<0.05) the relative spleen weight. In addition, the level of IL-17A in the spleen of the FDG-30% group was significantly higher than that of the FDG-15% group. Metabolomic analysis showed that differential metabolites (VIP＞1, P＜0.05) of spleen and MLN in FDG-15% and FDG-30% groups are mostly lipids and lipid molecules. KEGG analysis illustrated that choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance were metabolic pathways in spleen shared by FDG-15% group vs.Control group and FDG-30% group vs.Control group, and choline metabolism in cancer was a metabolic pathway in MLN shared by FDG-15% group vs.Control group and FDG-30% group vs.Control group. These results suggest that feeding FDG may promote spleen development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance. Additionally, it may affect MLN development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: Fermented distiller's grains (FDG) is a high quality alternative to feed because it is rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. The spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) are important peripheral immune organs in animals, whose status reflects the health of the animal. However, there are few reports on the effect of feeding FDG diets on spleen and MLN immune status and metabolomics in domestic animals. In this study, we found that feeding FDG may promote spleen development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance metabolic pathways, and may affect MLN development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer. This study extends our understanding of the metabolomics of the spleen and MLN in FDG and helps to further understand of the immunomodulatory effects of the FDG diet.

Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

Advancing High-Throughput MS-Based Protein Quantification: A Case Study on Quantifying 10 Major Food Allergens by LC-MS/MS Using a One-Sample Multipoint External Calibration Curve

The LC-MS-based method has emerged as the preferred approach for quantifying food allergens. However, the preparation of a traditional calibration curve (MSCC) is labor-intensive and error-prone. Here, a sensitive and robust LC-MS/MS method for quantifying 10 major food allergens was developed and validated, where the one-sample multipoint external calibration curve (OSCC) was employed instead of MSCC. By employing the multiple isotopologue reaction monitoring (MIRM) technique with only one spiked level in the blank, OSCC can be effectively established. Results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits excellent performance in selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision, comparable to that of the traditional MSCC. Additionally, this strategy allows for isotope sample dilution by monitoring the less abundant MIRM channel. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to investigate the contamination of 10 food allergens in commercial food products. With its high throughput and robustness, the MIRM-OSCC-LC-MS/MS methodology has many potential applications, especially in the MS-based protein quantification analysis.

Integrating a Multiple Isotopologue Reaction-Monitoring Technique and LC-MS/MS for Quantitation of Small Molecules: Ten Mycotoxins in Cereals as an Example

Accurate quantification of mycotoxin in cereals is crucial for ensuring food safety and human health. However, the preparation of traditional multisample external calibration curves (MSCCs) is labor-intensive and error-prone. Here, a multiple isotopologue reaction-monitoring (MIRM)-LC-MS/MS method for accurate quantitation of ten major mycotoxins in cereals was successfully developed and validated, where a novel one-sample multipoint calibration curve (OSCC) strategy is used instead of MSCCs. The OSCC can be established by examining the correlation between the calculated theoretical isotopic abundances and the measured abundance across various MIRM channels. In comparison to the MSCC, the OSCC strategy exhibits outstanding performance including superior selectivity, accuracy (78.4-108.6%), and precision (<12.5%). Furthermore, the proposed OSCC-MIRM-LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to investigate mycotoxin contamination in cereal samples in China. Considering the advantages of simplified workflows and improved throughput, the OSCC-MIRM-LC-MS/MS methodology holds great promise for accurately quantifying chemical contaminants in foods.

Iron overload in hypothalamic AgRP neurons contributes to obesity and related metabolic disorders

Iron overload is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction. However, the role of iron in the hypothalamus remains unclear. Here, we find that hypothalamic iron levels are increased, particularly in agouti-related peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons in high-fat-diet-fed mice. Using pharmacological or genetic approaches, we reduce iron overload in AgRP neurons by central deferoxamine administration or transferrin receptor 1 (Tfrc) deletion, ameliorating diet-induced obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. Conversely, Tfrc-mediated iron overload in AgRP neurons leads to overeating and adiposity. Mechanistically, the reduction of iron overload in AgRP neurons inhibits AgRP neuron activity; improves insulin and leptin sensitivity; and inhibits iron-induced oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, nuclear factor κB signaling, and suppression of cytokine signaling 3 expression. These results highlight the critical role of hypothalamic iron in obesity development and suggest targets for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Huperzine A ameliorates neurological deficits after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage through endothelial cell pyroptosis inhibition

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a kind of hemorrhagic stroke which causes neurological deficits in survivors. Huperzine A has a neuroprotective effect, but its role in SAH is unclear. Therefore, we explore the effect of Huperzine A on neurological deficits induced by SAH and the related mechanism. In this study, Evans blue assay, TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, and ELISA are conducted. We find that Huperzine A can improve neurological deficits and inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells in SAH rats. Huperzine A treatment can improve the upregulation of brain water content, damage of blood-brain barrier, fibrinogen and matrix metalloprotein 9 expressions and the downregulation of ZO-1 and occludin expressions induced by SAH. Huperzine A inhibit the expressions of proteins involved in pyroptosis in endothelial cells in SAH rats. The increase in MDA content and decrease in SOD activity in SAH rats can be partly reversed by Huperzine A. The ROS inducer H 2O 2 can induce pyroptosis and inhibit the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in endothelial cells, which can be blocked by Huperzine A. In addition, the increase in the entry of p65 into the nucleus in endothelial cells can be partly reversed by Huperzine A. Huperzine A may delay the damage of blood-brain barrier in SAH rats by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated pyroptosis and tight junction protein expression downregulation through the NF-κB pathway. Overall, Huperzine A may have clinical value for treating SAH.

Formononetin, a bioactive isoflavonoid constituent from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, ameliorates type 1 diabetes mellitus via activation of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway: An integrated study supported by network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) results from insulin deficiency due to the destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Previously, our studies showed that inhibition of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway promoted the onset of T1DM, which suggests that finding drugs that can activate the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the T1DM treatment. Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is a common traditional Chinese medicine that has been frequently applied in Chinese clinics for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Formononetin (FMNT), one of the major isoflavonoid constituents isolated from this herbal medicine, possesses diverse pharmacological benefits and T1DM therapeutic potential. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the action of FMNT in ameliorating T1DM have yet to be fully elucidated.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study is to investigate the regulation of FMNT on the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway to ameliorate T1DM based on network pharmacology approach combined with experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mouse-derived pancreatic islet β-cell line (MIN6) was used for the in vitro studies. An alloxan (ALX)-induced T1DM model in wild-type and Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2-/-) C57BL/6J mice were established for the in vivo experiments. The protective effects of FMNT against ALX-stimulated MIN6 cell injury were evaluated using MTT, EdU, apoptosis and comet assays. The levels of blood glucose in mice were measured by using a blood monitor and test strips. The protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the binding affinity of FMNT to Keap1 was evaluated using cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, and solvent-induced protein precipitation (SIP) assay. The interaction pattern between FMNT and Keap1 was assessed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation techniques.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis revealed that FMNT exerted its therapeutic effect against T1DM by mainly regulating oxidative stress response-associated signaling molecules and pathways, such as Nrf2 regulating anti-oxidant/detoxification enzymes and Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. The in vivo results showed that FMNT significantly deceased the ALX-induced high blood glucose levels and conversely increased the ALX-induced low insulin contents. In vitro, FMNT markedly protected MIN6 cells from ALX-induced cytotoxicity, proliferation inhibition and DNA damage and reduced the ALX-stimulated cell apoptosis. FMNT also inhibited ALX-induced overproduction of intracellular ROS to alleviate oxidative stress. In addition, FMNT could bind to Keap1 to notably activate the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling to upregulate Nrf2 expression and promote the Nrf2 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, resulting in enhancing the expression of antioxidant proteins HO-1 and NQO1. Inhibition of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling by ALX was also markedly abolished in the cells and mice exposed to FMNT. Moreover, these effects of FMNT in ameliorating T1DM were not observed in Nrf2-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that FMNT could bind to Keap1 to activate the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling to prevent intracellular ROS overproduction, thereby attenuating ALX-induced MIN6 cell injury and ameliorating ALX-stimulated T1DM. Results from this study might provide evidence and new insight into the therapeutic effect of FMNT and indicate that FMNT is a promising candidate agent for the treatment of T1DM in clinics.

Progress on control of harmful algae by sustained-release technology of allelochemical: A review

The outbreak of harmful algae blooms caused by water eutrophication seriously jeopardizes the aquatic ecological environment and human health. Therefore, algae control technology has attracted widespread attention between environmental scholars. Allelochemical sustained-release technology which releases the active ingredient to the target medium at a certain rate within the effective time, so that the system maintains a certain concentration, thus prolonging its influence on the target organism. Allelochemical sustained-release technology has become the focus of research due to the characteristics of high efficiency, safety, low-cost, environment friendly and no secondary pollution. This paper reviews the characteristics of allelochemical substances and the status quo of plant extraction, explains the detailed classification of allelochemical sustained-release microspheres (ASRMs) and the application of algae inhibition, summarizes the preparation method of ASRMs, elaborates on the mechanism of algae inhibition of sustained-release technology from the perspective of photosynthesis, cellular enzyme activity, algae cell structure, gene expression, and target site action. Focuses on the summary of the factors influencing the effect of algae inhibition of ASRMs, including particle size of sustained-release microspheres, selection of carrier materials, and the growth stage of algae. The future direction and prospect of algae inhibition by allelochemical sustained-release technology were prospected to provide the scientific basis for water ecological restoration.