Search Results (506)

The SUN family protein MoSun4 in Magnaporthe oryzae has been previously implicated in mitophagy and has potential as a target for reducing rice blast, but its role as a secreted protein remains poorly understood. In this study, signal peptide prediction and yeast secretion assays confirmed MoSun4 signal peptide function, and co-localization revealed the localization of the extra-invasive hyphal membrane (EIHM)-associated apoplastic compartment or matrix, establishing MoSun4 as a secreted protein. In addition, deletion of the MoSUN4 gene reduced the hyphal growth, conidiation and virulence of M. oryzae. We further showed that MoSun4 is involved in regulating the expression of virulence-related genes, including multiple genes involved in cell wall degradation (eglC, eglD), secondary metabolism (gliK), and melanin biosynthesis (SDH1, BUF1, Cmr1, ALB1). Collectively, our study reveals that MoSun4 is a secreted protein that contributes to pathogenicity and is associated with altered expression of virulence-related genes, providing new insights into the functions of SUN family proteins. Full article

Sorafenib is widely used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, the acquired drug resistance limits its efficacy and application in clinical practice. The receptor tyrosine kinases c-Met and AXL play important roles in cancer progression and are involved in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced drug resistance in cancers, but whether these two receptors also contribute to sorafenib-induced drug resistance in RCC is unclear. In this study, we evaluated our synthesized compound 1D228, a TKI derived from Tepotinib, in sorafenib-resistant RCC models, which demonstrated further inhibition in sorafenib-resistant RCC cells, and induced 25% more reduction in resistant RCC tumor size by 1D228 combined with sorafenib compared with sorafenib monotherapy in animal models. Mechanistically, resistant RCC exhibited elevated phosphorylation of c-Met and AXL, which was effectively suppressed by 1D228. These findings indicated that compound 1D228 sensitized the sorafenib resistance of RCC by dual targeting the c-Met and AXL signaling pathways. This study suggests that 1D228 may represent a promising preclinical therapeutic strategy for RCC patients with sorafenib resistance mediated by c-Met and AXL activation. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the inclusive green growth (IGG) performance of resource-based cities and to diagnose the structural bottlenecks that constrain their transition. Using a city-level panel of 37 resource-based cities in the Yellow River Basin, China, from 2011 to 2024 (518 city-year observations) drawn from official statistical yearbooks, government documents, and remote-sensing products, we construct a multidimensional IGG index covering economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection, measured through entropy-weighted TOPSIS; kernel density estimation, global and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, a gravity-based potential-interaction network, and an obstacle-degree model are then applied to examine temporal evolution, spatial differentiation, and constraint structure. The results show that (1) the basin-wide IGG index rose from 0.2199 to 0.2845 (+29.4%), with a visible adjustment around 2015 and a stronger acceleration after 2020; (2) environmental protection improved fastest (0.7027 in 2024), while economic growth remained the weakest dimension (0.2408); (3) spatial dependence strengthened significantly from 2017 onward, with high-high clusters concentrated in lower-reach Shandong cities; and (4) the economic-growth dimension constitutes the dominant obstacle (54.43%), led by export-capacity and social-insurance shortfalls. A robustness check with an alternative combined weighting scheme confirms these patterns. The findings indicate that transition policy should shift from pollution control toward capability building, with differentiated pathways by city type and river reach. Full article

Anthocyanins were extracted from the petals of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, Petunia hybrida, and Rhododendron pulchrum Sweet, denoted as LA, PA and RA, respectively. Physicochemical properties of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (LA), Petunia hybrida (PA) and Rhododendron pulchrum Sweet (RA) were comparatively evaluated. Among them, RA exhibited the highest total anthocyanin content (49.41 ± 0.23^a mg/g) along with the total phenolic amount (102.01 ± 0.15^a mg/g). Immobilizing the obtained anthocyanin-rich extract in a carrageenan (CP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and drying it at 30 °C and 50% relative humidity yielded a film intended for use as a smart packaging label to monitor Pork ball freshness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses demonstrated excellent compatibility between anthocyanins and CP/PVA matrices, resulting in dense structures. The results of physicochemical and functional properties revealed that the prepared control films and anthocyanin films containing RA (CP-RA film) showed optimal performance, including superior visible light/oxygen barrier properties, tensile strength (45.49 MPa), elongation at break (26.47%), antioxidant capacity (42.75%), and pH-sensitivity. In addition, CP-RA film maintained its superior color stability over various temperature situations and displayed high sensitivity to changes in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values. Full article

The TIFY gene family comprises plant-specific transcriptional regulators central to jasmonic acid (JA) signaling and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite the economic importance of the banana (Musa spp.), the TIFY family remains largely uncharacterized in this crop. Here, we conducted a genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis of the MaTIFY gene family in Musa acuminata. A total of 47 MaTIFY genes were identified, distributed across all 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these into four subfamilies (TIFY, ZIZ/ZML, PPD, and JAZ), and conserved motif and domain analyses revealed a core TIFY domain architecture with subfamily-specific structural features. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and cis-acting regulatory element analyses suggested potential involvement in JA-mediated signaling, defense response, and hormone cross-talk. Expression profiling under drought, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (Foc 4), and cold stress revealed distinct transcriptional responses, with MaTIFY5, MaTIFY16, MaTIFY20, MaTIFY26, and MaTIFY30 exhibiting enhanced induction in resistant cultivars compared to their susceptible counterparts. Functional characterization of MaTIFY20 confirmed its significant upregulation under drought stress and its ability to confer enhanced osmotic tolerance when heterologously expressed in yeast. These findings provide novel insights into the evolutionary dynamics and stress-responsive functions of banana TIFY genes and identify candidate targets for molecular breeding to improve abiotic and biotic stress resilience in banana. Full article

Background: Non-invasive therapies for heart failure represent one of the current major focuses in clinical research. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic modality. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of PEVs in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), focusing on extracellular vesicles derived from Lycium barbarum (Gq-EVs). Methods: We first obtained Gq-EVs with high biological activity and high concentration from Lycium barbarum juice and characterized them by using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and metabolite composition analysis. Results: Our in vivo findings indicate that nebulized inhalation of Gq-EVs for 7, 14, and 21 days improved abnormal cardiac diastolic function, reduced excessive myocardial hypertrophy, and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in HFpEF mice. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that Gq-EVs can reach injured cardiac tissue, improve mitochondrial function, and are associated with reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and amelioration of myocardial hypertrophy, potentially involving TP53-related apoptotic signaling. Conclusions: Overall, nebulized delivery of Gq-EVs may be a relatively non-invasive, well-tolerated, and cost-effective therapeutic strategy for HFpEF, highlighting the potential of PEV-based nanotherapies and offering a sustainable approach for the medical utilization of Lycium barbarum resources. Full article

Composited proteins from animal and plant sources can address the limitations of single proteins and expand their applications in food processing. In this study, potato protein and egg white protein (PP/EWP) composites were modified through pH-shift and ultrasound treatments. A systematic comparison was conducted, for the first time, among three ultrasound application protocols (US-A-pH, US-P-pH, and US-B-pH, corresponding to ultrasound after, during, and before pH-shift treatment, respectively) over a range of six pH conditions (3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10) in a composite system. It was found that PP/EWP treated with alkaline pH shifts (especially pH 9 and 10) exhibited better physicochemical, structural, and gelling properties. The complexes pretreated with US-P-pH (pH = 9) possessed higher solubility, smaller particle size, enhanced hydrophobicity, and higher number of disulfide bonds. Furthermore, this treatment yielded gels with superior hardness, chewiness, adhesion, water-holding capacity, and finer network structure. US-B-pH treatment increased the random coil content of PP/EWP, producing flexible and disordered protein states and gels with higher elasticity. In contrast, US-A-pH induced significant structural changes in the protein particles, but did not yield the required gel quality. These findings were intended to offer practical guidance for designing green and efficient protein modification strategies in food processing, with promising applications in composite gel products. Full article

Understanding how liquid hydrocarbons flow through nanoporous shale matrices is essential for predicting shale oil productivity and evaluating unconventional resources. Despite substantial advances in geological and geochemical characterization, the physical and chemical mechanisms governing oil mobility in tight shale media remain incompletely constrained. This knowledge gap has become particularly evident through an anomalous phenomenon: the prolific production of low-volatile black oil from low- to medium-maturity, extremely tight shale reservoirs, where such viscous oils were previously expected to exhibit limited mobility. This unexpected behavior challenges existing physical models of oil flow. In this Perspective, we revisit the key controls on oil mobility by integrating available geological, geochemical, and reservoir evidence, including the influence of lithofacies on pore systems, the effects of thermal maturity and organic matter on fluid properties, the mechanisms of overpressure generation, and the interactions between hydrocarbons and shale matrices. We particularly emphasize the physical–chemical interaction processes between hydrocarbons and shale matrices, which have been largely overlooked in previous models. Based on these analyses, we propose a conceptual cross-scale migration–accumulation framework for shale oil and discuss its implications using representative shale systems from North America and China. The available evidence indicates that oil mobility is jointly controlled by mineral composition, pore structure, pressure coefficients, hydrocarbon physical–chemical properties, and hydrocarbon–matrix coupling. Thermal maturity emerges as a key parameter because it modulates several of these controls and therefore affects effective oil flow. Despite regional differences, broadly comparable controls may operate across different shale systems. Laminated carbonate-rich shales deposited under saline conditions exhibit high oil mobility even at low maturity, whereas clay-rich freshwater lacustrine shales require higher maturity to achieve comparable flow. The proposed framework links pore-scale processes with reservoir- and basin-scale accumulation and may provide a conceptual basis for evaluating movable oil resource potential in different shale systems. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is central to terrestrial carbon cycling, soil health and sustainable land utilization. However, in Northeast China’s black soil region, the quantitative synergistic regulatory mechanisms of soil geochemical background, climate, and topography on SOC spatial heterogeneity remain poorly understood, limiting targeted sustainable soil carbon management. This study took the Hulan River Basin with a complete soil geochemical gradient as the study area. Based on eight major soil elements and pH data, we divided the basin into five geochemical zones via PCA and K-means clustering (cumulative variance contribution: 83.02%). SOC content differed significantly among zones, peaking in strongly acidic residual-slope zones and bottoming in alkaline saline–alkali alluvial zones. Geodetector results showed aridity (q = 0.57), mean annual temperature (q = 0.50), and geochemical zone (q = 0.46) dominated SOC differentiation. The non-linear interaction between geochemical zone and aridity exhibited the strongest explanatory power (q = 0.63), far exceeding individual effects, as revealed by the interaction detector. A dual regulatory mechanism was identified: iron–manganese oxides stabilize SOC via organo–mineral complexation, while high pH and base cations accelerate SOC decomposition by disrupting soil aggregates. This study clarifies the synergistic controls of pedogeochemistry, climate and topography on black soil SOC patterns, highlighting the underestimated dominant role of geochemical background. The findings support precise regional carbon stock assessment and differentiated carbon sequestration strategies. Full article

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of theaflavin (TA) on AGE formation in a human serum albumin (HSA)-fructose model system, both in the absence and presence of non-cytotoxic Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. The underlying mechanism was elucidated using multiple spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking. TA significantly inhibited AGE formation, with the enhancement by metal ions following the order: 1.5 μM Mn²⁺ > 1.5 μM Mg²⁺ > 1 mM Mg²⁺. This trend aligned with the binding affinity between HSA and TA derived from molecular interaction studies. Site marker competition and docking results revealed that TA binds preferentially within subdomain IIA of HSA. Furthermore, the conformational changes in HSA following glycation and inhibition were monitored, along with the influence of metal ions on the antioxidant activity of TA. By integrating the results, it was concluded that free radical scavenging contributes more significantly to AGE inhibition than does blocking the glycation sites on HSA. Overall, this study elucidates the influence of metal ions on the inhibitory effect of TA against AGE formation and the corresponding mechanism, providing insights for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Full article

To fully explore the metabolites of the mangrove endophytic fungus Penicillium janthinellum HDN13-309, which can produce Epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) compounds with noteworthy anti-tumor activities, HPLC-MS analysis was applied, and five new gliovirin-like alkaloids, penicisulfuranols G–K (1–5), were target-directed acquired. Furthermore, penicisulfuranols G (1) and H (2) were distinguished by a double bond between C-5/C-6 and ortho-hydroxylation of C-7/C-8 on the 1,2-oxazadecaline moiety. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopy, ECD measurements, and high-resolution mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with the literature. Penicisulfuranols I–K (3–5) showed promising cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines (HCT116, HeLa, HL-60, and K562) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.1 to 9.9 μM. Full article

Plasmonic nanostructures offer a practical solution for solar-to-thermal conversion, yet simultaneously achieving ultra-broadband absorption, scalable fabrication, and long-term stability using earth-abundant aluminum remains difficult. In this work, we present a three-dimensional (3D) crown-like aluminum nanostructure absorber that achieves an experimental average absorption of 92% across the solar spectrum (200–2500 nm), with only 1.9% degradation in average absorption over 24 months. The structure is fabricated via a scalable anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted method, enabling large-area production without costly lithography and exhibiting broad fabrication tolerance to deposition-thickness variations. Electromagnetic simulations and structure analysis reveal that the ultra-broadband absorption arises from three synergistic mechanisms: multi-mode electric resonances, magnetic resonance behavior within the metal–dielectric–metal architecture, and a graded-refractive-index profile. Proof-of-concept photothermal experiments under simulated sunlight offer experimental confirmation of the absorber’s solar-to-thermal conversion capability, showing substantially enhanced solar-to-thermal energy utilization compared to pure-water references. This work provides a scalable, durable, and cost-effective platform for ultra-broadband solar absorption and solar-to-thermal conversion, and offers a viable design strategy for plasmonic absorbers based on earth-abundant materials. Full article

High-solid anaerobic digestion (HS-AD) is one of the most efficient and popular solid-waste-treatment and energy-recovery technologies. However, it is significantly influenced by composition and substrate characteristics, with the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) and biodegradability being important. In this study, the substrate was adjusted and compounded to investigate the methanogenesis performance with the substrate C/N ratio (2.82–82.72) and biodegradability (refractory and easily degraded) variation during HS-AD. The results showed that the highest methane yield (MY) was achieved with white meat (273.02 mL/g-VS), which was 2.22 times higher than that of substrates with higher C/N ratios. However, this enhanced methane productivity was accompanied by elevated total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations, which substantially increased the risk of system instability. For a high C/N ratio (>50:1), the difference between the C/N ratio and biodegradability had little influence on MY, and under a low C/N ratio (<5:1), the methane production rate was higher. For low C/N substrates, acetic (14.53–76.82%) accounted for the highest total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) during HS-AD, and for high C/N ratio substrates, propionic (46.44–82.66%) had a higher proportion (r = 0.94). An increased C/N ratio decreased total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and alkalinity (p < 0.05). Variations in the C/N ratio and biodegradability led to differences in the microbial composition. Full article

Low-altitude aviation requires spatially resolved turbulence information, but routine observing networks do not directly measure dense three-dimensional eddy dissipation rate (EDR) fields. We formulate EDR retrieval as physics-constrained probabilistic tomography of EDR (PCT-EDR) and construct an author-curated private multi-source low-altitude observation dataset designated SORA2025 to support the retrieval and benchmark evaluation. The observation operator partitions Doppler spectral-width variance into turbulent, beam, within-volume shear, hydrometeor, instrument, and residual components, then converts the corrected turbulent contribution into posterior distributions of ${log}_{10}ϵ$ and EDR on a 0–2 km grid. Wind-profiling and S/X-band Doppler radars supply vertical and horizontal constraints, while microwave radiometers and automatic weather stations provide stability and near-surface context. Twelve cases from four campaign dates characterize the retrieved posterior fields. A separate frozen processed benchmark contains 240 tower-sonic and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) windows from four later dates. Recalculation from the supplied processed package gives a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.238 in ${log}_{10}ϵ$, a Spearman correlation of 0.812, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.913 for the stored prefit-calibrated product at $\mathrm{EDR}>0.10{\mathrm{m}}^{2/3}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. The nominal 90% interval covers 84.2% of the processed targets, indicating mild under-dispersion. Full article

Corn noodles, as a staple food, suffer from poor processing quality and high starch digestibility due to the lack of a gluten network. Magnetically treated Ganoderma lucidum extracellular polysaccharides (MEPSs) possess excellent water-binding and gel-forming properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MEPSs at concentrations of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% on the technological quality and functional properties of corn noodles and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through rheological, microstructural, and molecular analyses. The results showed that 0.6% MEPSs was the optimal concentration. Adding MEPSs enhanced dough viscoelasticity and water-holding capacity and induced a compact, continuous gel network with increased short-range molecular order and disulfide crosslinks. Consequently, the cooking loss and breaking rate of corn noodles decreased by 24.69% and 46.65%, respectively, while the hardness and springiness improved and cohesiveness was reduced. Functionally, adding 0.6% MEPSs inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, slowing starch hydrolysis and reducing the estimated glycemic index from 76.4 to 72.3. It also significantly enhanced antioxidant activities, including DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging, as well as FRAP. In conclusion, MEPS is a natural multifunctional ingredient that simultaneously improves technological quality and confers hypoglycemic and antioxidant benefits to corn noodles, providing an efficient strategy for developing healthier staple foods. Full article