Search Results (74)

Maintaining the normal biological rhythms of livestock is of great significance for reflecting the environmental suitability and welfare level of animals. Mistimed feeding can interfere with the circadian rhythms of both humans and animals, resulting in disorders of lipid metabolism, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Low-temperature environment stimulates increased appetite and decreased physical activity, resulting in higher energy intake than consumption and thus facilitating fat deposition and even obesity. In this study, growing rabbits were randomly allocated to the daytime feeding (DF) group and nighttime restricted feeding (NRF) group. Our research demonstrated that, during winter, the DF regimen disrupted the behavioral rhythms of rabbits and accelerated weight gain without changing overall feed intake. The underlying reason was that DF disturbed the lipid metabolism rhythms, promoted hepatic lipid synthesis regulated by DGAT1 and lipid synthesis of adipose tissues regulated by GPAM, thus triggering fat deposition. In contrast, the NRF regimen enhanced thermogenesis regulated by T3 and elevated body temperature and facilitated ketogenesis mediated by HMGCS2, increasing energy consumption. However, it had no significant impact on the fat content within muscle. This study offers a theoretical foundation for the refinement of feeding management and healthy raising of rabbits. Full article

Background: The fatality rate of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), due to hantavirus transmitted by rodents, ranges from 1% to 12%. This study aims to delineate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HFRS, identify factors associated with disease severity, and construct and validate a nomogram for prognosis prediction of HFRS in the central part of China. Methods: Out of 598 HFRS patients diagnosed via serology tests from four hospitals in Hubei Province, 551 were included. Clinical data were gathered and analyzed, followed by logistic univariate and multivariate analyses to identify independent prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed and validated to forecast the patient’s prognosis. Results: Vaccination led to a notable drop in HFRS incidence from 2018 to 2019, and seasonal trends exhibited bimodal changes with peaks from May to July and November to January. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.17% (23/551). Red blood cell count (RBC), age, two-stage overlap, qSOFA ≥ 2, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and three-stage overlap were identified as independent prognostic factors. A predictive risk classification system using a nomogram chart was developed, and Kaplan–Meier curves indicated that the new system accurately distinguished 30-day mortality among the three risk groups. Conclusions: The risk score (EASTAR) system demonstrated good predictive performance for prognostic prediction, and it can be applied to quickly screen patients who require ICU admission. Full article

In conventional phase change memory (PCM) technology, the melting process required to create an amorphous state typically results in extremely high power consumption. Recently, a new type of PCM device based on a melting-free crystal-to-crystal phase transition in MnTe has been developed, offering a potential solution to the problem. However, the electronic and atomic mechanisms underlying this transition remain unclear. In this work, by first-principles calculations, the resistance contrast is attributed to the differences in hole effective mass and vacancy formation energy of the two phases. Moreover, two phase transition pathways of the α-MnTe-to-β-MnTe transition, namely, the ‘slide-and-stand-up’ transitions, are identified based on coherent atomic movements. The energy barriers for the two pathways are 0.17 eV per formula unit (f.u.) and 0.38 eV/f.u., respectively. Furthermore, the energy barriers can be reduced to 0.10 eV/f.u. and 0.26 eV/f.u. via c-axis tensile strains, which makes the phase transition easier. The current result provides new insights into the non-melting phase transition process in MnTe, facilitating the development of low-power PCM technology. Full article

Due to the high price of whole-plant corn silage in southern China, many dairy farms are attempting to prepare whole-plant corn silage using corn stover and corn flour, but the mixing ratio has not yet been determined. Therefore, we mixed fresh corn stover and corn flour at the proportions of 100:0 (F0 group) to 80:20 (F20 group), using five groups with three replicates each. The optimal mixing ratio was determined by assessing the nutritional composition, fermentation quality, and bacterial community of silage after 45 days. The results showed that dry matter and water-soluble carbohydrates in silage increased linearly with the increasing ratio of corn flour (p < 0.01) while crude protein, true protein, neutral detergent fiber, acidic detergent fiber, and crude ash content decreased linearly (p < 0.01). The F0 group had the highest pH, and the mixing ratio quadratically affected ammonia nitrogen concentration (p < 0.05). Additionally, at the phylum level, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria in the F15 group were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Lactobacillus increased with corn flour inclusion compared to the F0 group. In conclusion, the silage quality is the best when the mixing ratio of fresh corn stover and corn flour is 85:15. Full article

The carnivorous fungus Drechslerella dactyloides can form constricting rings through hyphal specialization to capture nematodes. The formation of constricting rings is a prerequisite for capturing nematodes and a characteristic of entering the carnivorous stage. Currently, there is limited research on the molecular mechanism of constricting ring formation. In this study, two D. dactyloides mutants unable to form constricting rings were obtained through UV irradiation mutagenesis, and their growth and development phenotypes were compared with the wild-type strain. Transcriptome comparisons revealed differences between the mutants and the wild-type strain in metabolic pathways related to cell wall structure, peroxisomes, lipid metabolism, and MAPK signal transduction, which we validated through qPCR. We further deleted one differentially expressed gene, DdSTE2, of the MAPK pathway and confirmed its role in conidiogenesis and trap formation in D. dactyloides. Together, our results indicate that the remodeling of cell wall structure, peroxisomes, lipid metabolism, and MAPK signal transduction pathways are involved in the formation and maturation of D. dactyloides constricting rings. We discuss the implications of these results for utilizing these fungi to control animal and plant parasitic nematodes. Full article

Ionizing radiation exposure can cause damage to diverse tissues and organs, with the hematopoietic system being the most sensitive. However, limited information is available regarding the radiosensitivity of various hematopoietic cell populations in the bone marrow due to the high heterogeneity of the hematopoietic system. In this study, we observed that granulocyte–macrophage progenitors, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and B cells within the bone marrow showed the highest sensitivity, exhibiting a rapid decrease in cell numbers following irradiation. Nonetheless, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and dendritic cells demonstrated a certain degree of radioresistance, with neutrophils exhibiting the most pronounced resistance. By employing single-cell transcriptome sequencing, we investigated the early responsive genes in various cell types following irradiation, revealing that distinct gene expression profiles emerged between radiosensitive and radioresistant cells. In B cells, radiation exposure led to a specific upregulation of genes associated with mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, suggesting a connection between these complexes and cell radiosensitivity. In neutrophils, radiation exposure resulted in fewer gene alterations, indicating their potential for distinct mechanisms in radiation resistance. Collectively, this study provides insights into the molecular mechanism for the heterogeneity of radiosensitivity among the various bone marrow hematopoietic cell populations. Full article

This study explores a novel method of directly epoxidizing hexafluoropropene with molecular oxygen under gaseous conditions using a Cu/HZSM-5 catalytic system (Cu/HZ). An in-depth investigation was conducted on the catalytic performance of Cu-based catalysts on various supports and Cu/HZ catalysts prepared under different conditions. Cu/HZ catalysts exhibited better catalytic performance than other porous medium-supported Cu catalysts for the epoxidation of hexafluoropropene by molecular oxygen. The highest propylene oxide yield of 35.6% was achieved over the Cu/HZ catalyst prepared under conditions of 350 °C with a Cu loading of 1 wt%. By applying characterization techniques including XRD, BET, NH₃-TPD, and XPS to different catalyst samples, the relationship between the interaction of Cu²⁺ and HZSM-5 and the reactivity of the catalyst was studied, thereby elucidating the influence of calcination temperature and loading on the reactivity. Finally, we further proposed the possible mechanism of how isolated Cu²⁺ and acid sites improve catalytic performance. Full article

Storage proteins are essential for seed germination and seedling growth, as they provide an indispensable nitrogen source and energy. Our previous report highlighted the defective endosperm development in the serine hydroxymethyltransferase 4 (OsSHMT4) gene mutant, floury endosperm20-1 (flo20-1). However, the alterations in storage protein content and distribution within the flo20-1 endosperm remained unclear. Here, the immunocytochemistry analyses revealed a deficiency in storage protein accumulation in flo20-1. Electron microscopic observation uncovered abnormal morphological structures in protein bodies (PBI and PBII) in flo20-1. Immunofluorescence labeling demonstrated that aberrant prolamin composition could lead to the subsequent formation and deposition of atypical structures in protein body I (PBI), and decreased levels of glutelins and globulin resulted in protein body II (PBII) malformation. Further RNA-seq data combined with qRT-PCR results indicated that altered transcription levels of storage protein structural genes were responsible for the abnormal synthesis and accumulation of storage protein, which further led to non-concentric ring structural PBIs and amorphous PBIIs. Collectively, our findings further underscored that OsSHMT4 is required for the synthesis and accumulation of storage proteins and storage organelle formation in endosperm cells. Full article

This study explores the synergistic impact of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and Protein Kinase B (Akt) overexpression in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) for ameliorating cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). Post-MI adult Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: sham, MI, ADMSC treatment, and ADMSCs overexpressed with PD-L1 and Akt (AdMSC-PDL1-Akt) treatment. MI was induced via left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, followed by intramyocardial AdMSC injections. Over four weeks, cardiac functionality and structural integrity were assessed using pressure–volume analysis, infarct size measurement, and immunohistochemistry. AdMSC-PDL1-Akt exhibited enhanced resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro and ameliorated MI-induced contractile dysfunction in vivo by improving the end-systolic pressure–volume relationship and preload-recruitable stroke work, together with attenuating infarct size. Molecular analyses revealed substantial mitigation in caspase3 and nuclear factor-κB upregulation in MI hearts within the AdMSC-PDL1-Akt group. Mechanistically, AdMSC-PDL1-Akt fostered the differentiation of normal T cells into CD25⁺ regulatory T cells in vitro, aligning with in vivo upregulation of CD25 in AdMSC-PDL1-Akt-treated rats. Collectively, PD-L1 and Akt overexpression in AdMSCs bolsters resistance to ROS-mediated apoptosis in vitro and enhances myocardial protective efficacy against MI-induced dysfunction, potentially via T-cell modulation, underscoring a promising therapeutic strategy for myocardial ischemic injuries. Full article

Offshore Wind Power Systems (OWPS) offer great energy and environmental advantages, but also pose significant Operation and Maintenance (O&M) challenges. In this survey, we analyze these challenges and propose some optimization strategies and technologies for OWPS comprehensively. The existing literature review mainly focuses on a certain field of offshore wind power O&M, but lacks a comprehensive introduction to offshore wind power. We consider the energy efficiency, reliability, safety, and economy of OWPS from various aspects, such as offshore wind and wave energy utilization, offshore wind turbine components, and wind power operation parameters, and compare them with onshore wind power systems. We suggest that OWPS can benefit from advanced design optimization, digital twin, monitoring and forecasting, fault diagnosis, and other technologies to enhance their O&M performance. This paper aims to provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the technological innovation and sustainable development of OWPS. Full article

The in situ stress distribution is one of the driving factors for the design and construction of underground engineering. Numerical analysis methods based on artificial neural networks are the most common and effective methods for in situ stress inversion. However, conventional algorithms often have some drawbacks, such as slow convergence, overfitting, and the local minimum problem, which will directly affect the inversion results. An intelligent inverse method optimizing the back-propagation (BP) neural network with the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is applied to the back analysis of in situ stress. The PSO algorithm is used to optimize the initial parameters of the BP neural network, improving the stability and accuracy of the inversion results. The numerical simulation is utilized to calculate the stress field and generate training samples. In the application of the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station underground powerhouse, the average relative error decreases by about 3.45% by using the proposed method compared with the BP method. Subsequently, the in situ stress distribution shows the significant tectonic movement of the surrounding rock, with the first principal stress value of 20 to 26 MPa. The fault and the lamprophyre significantly influence the in situ stress, with 15–30% localized stress reduction in the rock mass within 10 m. The research results demonstrate the reliability and improvement of the proposed method and provide a reference for similar underground engineering. Full article

To explore the mechanism by which Akkermansia muciniphila cell-free supernatant improves glucose and lipid metabolisms in Caenorhabditis elegans, the present study used different dilution concentrations of Akkermansia muciniphila cell-free supernatant as an intervention for with Caenorhabditis elegans under a high-glucose diet. The changes in lifespan, exercise ability, level of free radicals, and characteristic indexes of glucose and lipid metabolisms were studied. Furthermore, the expression of key genes of glucose and lipid metabolisms was detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that A. muciniphila cell-free supernatant significantly improved the movement ability, prolonged the lifespan, reduced the level of ROS, and alleviated oxidative damage in Caenorhabditis elegans. A. muciniphila cell-free supernatant supported resistance to increases in glucose and triglyceride induced by a high-glucose diet and downregulated the expression of key genes of glucose metabolism, such as gsy-1, pygl-1, pfk-1.1, and pyk-1, while upregulating the expression of key genes of lipid metabolism, such as acs-2, cpt-4, sbp-1, and tph-1, as well as down-regulating the expression of the fat-7 gene to inhibit fatty acid biosynthesis. These findings indicated that A. muciniphila cell-free supernatant, as a postbiotic, has the potential to prevent obesity and improve glucose metabolism disorders and other diseases. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) of rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells and the potential protective effects of procyanidins (PC). The effects of PFOS and/or PC on GSIS of INS-1 cells were investigated after 48 h of exposure (protein level: insulin; gene level: glucose transporter 2 (Glut2), glucokinase (Gck), and insulin). Subsequently, the effects of exposure on the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity were measured. Compared to the control group, PFOS exposure (12.5, 25, and 50 μM) for 48 h had no significant effect on the viability of INS-1 cells. PFOS exposure (50 μM) could reduce the level of insulin secretion and reduce the relative mRNA expression levels of Glut2, Gck, and insulin. It is worth noting that PC could partially reverse the damaging effect caused by PFOS. Significantly, there was an increase in ROS after exposure to PFOS and a decline after PC intervention. PFOS could affect the normal physiological function of GSIS in INS-1 cells. PC, a plant natural product, could effectively alleviate the damage caused by PFOS by inhibiting ROS activity. Full article

Brown planthopper (BPH), a monophagous phloem feeder, consumes a large amount of photoassimilates in rice and causes wilting. A near-isogenic line ‘TNG71-Bph45’ was developed from the Oryza sativa japonica variety ‘Tainung 71 (TNG71) carrying a dominant BPH-resistance locus derived from Oryza nivara (IRGC 102165) near the centromere of chromosome 4. We compared the NIL (TNG71-Bph45) and the recurrent parent to explore how the Bph45 gene confers BPH resistance. We found that TNG71-Bph45 is less attractive to BPH at least partially because it produces less limonene. Chiral analysis revealed that the major form of limonene in both rice lines was the L-form. However, both L- and D-limonene attracted BPH when applied exogenously to TNG71-Bph45 rice. The transcript amounts of limonene synthase were significantly higher in TNG71 than in TNG71-Bph45 and were induced by BPH infestation only in the former. Introgression of the Bph45 gene into another japonica variety, Tainan 11, also resulted in a low limonene content. Moreover, several dominantly acting BPH resistance genes introduced into the BPH-sensitive IR24 line compromised its limonene-producing ability and concurrently decreased its attractiveness to BPH. These observations suggest that reducing limonene production may be a common resistance strategy against BPH in rice. Full article

Since the chemical composition of wood is closely related to its mechanical properties, chemical analysis techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provide a reasonable non-destructive method for predicting wood strength. In this study, we used NIR spectra with principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal that vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment causes degradation of hemicellulose as well as the amorphous region of cellulose, resulting in lower hydroxyl and acetyl group content. These processes increase the crystallinity of the luanta fir wood (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata), which, in turn, effectively increases its compressive strength (σ_c,max), hardness, and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The PCA results also revealed that the primary factors affecting these properties are the hemicellulose content, hydroxyl groups in the cellulose amorphous region, the wood moisture content, and the relative lignin content. Moreover, the ratios of performance deviation (RPDs) for the σ_c,max, shear strength (σ_s,max), hardness, and modulus of rupture (MOR) models were 1.49, 1.24, 1.13, and 2.39, indicating that these models can be used for wood grading (1.0 < RPD < 2.5). Accordingly, NIR can serve as a useful tool for predicting the mechanical properties of VH-treated wood. Full article