Search Results (58)

The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-related ovarian killer (BOK), a member of the Bcl-2 protein family, shares a similar domain structure and amino acid sequence homology with the pro-apoptotic family members BAX and BAK. Although BOK is involved in the development of various types of cancer, its mechanism of action in breast cancer remains unclear. This study found that BOK was involved in the process of MG132, inhibiting the migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells induced by transforming growth factor-β. Furthermore, interfering BOK reversed the inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and the EMT process by MG132. Additional studies revealed that BOK silencing promoted the expression of EMT-related markers in breast cancer cells, while BOK overexpression inhibited EMT and migration. Using RNA-seq sequencing and Western blotting, we confirmed that the Wnt signaling pathway is involved in BOK regulating the EMT process in breast cancer cells. Therefore, we conclude that low BOK expression promotes breast cancer EMT and migration by activating the Wnt signaling pathway. This study enhances our understanding of breast cancer pathogenesis and suggests that BOK may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer. Full article

For a bottom-moored vertical line array in deep ocean, the underwater maneuvering source will produce interference patterns in both grazing angle–distance (vertical-time record, VTR) and frequency–grazing angle (wideband beamforming output) domains, respectively, and the interference period is modulated by the source depth. Based on these characteristics, an interference feature fusion (IFF) method is proposed in the space–time–frequency domain for source depth estimation, in which the principal interference mode of the VTR is extracted adaptively and the depth ambiguity function is constructed by fusing the ambiguity sequence, mapped by wideband beamforming intensity, and the principal interference mode, which can achieve the long-term depth estimation and recognition of underwater sources without requiring environmental information. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that the IFF can suppress the false peaks generated by the generalized Fourier transform (GFT) method, and the depth estimation error of the IFF for a single source is reduced by at least 47% compared to GFT. In addition, the IFF is proven to be effective at separating the depth of multiple adjacent sources (with the average estimation error reduced by 28%) and exhibits a high degree of robustness within the fluctuating acoustic channel (with the average estimation error reduced by 12%). Full article

Agar can be degraded into agar-oligosaccharides by physical, chemical, and biological methods, but the further industrial application of agar-oligosaccharides has been limited by the environmental pollution of traditional agar-oligosaccharides preparation methods and the lack of novel agarase. In this study, we reported the screening of 12 strains with agar-degrading activity from sea cucumber intestine and mucus using a combination of Gram’s iodine staining and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method, during which five fungal strains exhibited high agarase activity. Their production of different agarases and agar-oligosaccharides could be visualized by zymogram assay and thin-layer chromatography. A strain ACD-11-B with the highest agarase activity showed 99.79% similarity to Aspergillus sydowii CBS593.65 for ITS rDNA sequence. Strain ACD-11-B produced five possible agarases with predicted molecular weights of 180, 95, 43, 33, and 20 kDa, approximately. The optimal temperature and pH of the crude enzyme production by strain ACD-11-B were 40 °C and 6.0. The crude enzyme was stable at 30 °C, and Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ could increase the activity of the crude enzyme. Its agarases demonstrated remarkable salt tolerance and substrate specificity, with neoagarobiose (NA2) identified as the main degradation product. These results indicate that the fungal strain ACD-11-B can secrete agarases with potential in industrial applications, making it a new producer strain for agarase production. Full article

Maintaining the consistency of linear density in ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber has been a critical challenge in the production of UHMWPE fibers. However, there has been limited research focusing on the impact of UHMWPE resin parameters on the consistency in fiber linear density. In this study, a series of UHMWPE fibers were produced through wet spinning using UHMWPE resins with varying parameters. The effects of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, particle size, and particle size distribution of UHMWPE resins on the consistency of linear density and the mechanical properties of UHMWPE fibers were systematically investigated. The experimental findings revealed that narrowing the molecular weight distribution and particle size distribution of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) resin precursors significantly enhanced the consistency of resultant UHMWPE fibers, concurrently improving their tensile strength and elastic modulus. Notably, while the absolute molecular weight of the resin demonstrated no statistically significant correlation with fiber consistency, an optimal molecular weight range was identified to maximize the mechanical performance of UHMWPE fibers. Specifically, fibers synthesized from resin precursors within this molecular weight window exhibited peak values in both strength and modulus, suggesting a critical balance between molecular chain entanglement and processability. Full article

Surface roughness plays a crucial role in determining surface quality, influencing factors such as vibration, noise, assembly precision, lubrication, and wear resistance in bearings. This research examines how surface roughness (Sa) affects the friction and wear characteristics of GCr15 steel under conditions with adequate oil lubrication while varying the applied load. The findings indicate that with an increase in Sa, the friction coefficient of GCr15 steel also increases. As the load rises from 15 N to 35 N, the friction coefficient remains relatively constant. However, higher loads lead to more severe wear of the microprotrusions on the surface of GCr15 steel. The wear area first decreases and then increases as Sa increases. The minimum wear area occurs when Sa is 0.5 μm. Additionally, a back propagation neural network (BPNN) model has been developed to predict the wear performance of GCr15 steel. Validation experiments show that the average prediction error for the BPNN model is 10.64%. Full article

Biofertilizers derived from microalgae are increasingly used as promising materials for improving crop growth and development, producing fewer catastrophic environmental effects. Hence, the large-scale production of eco-friendly and broad-spectrum microalgae biofertilizers is mandatory. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the potential efficacy of isolated algae strains, such as Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima, and Chlorella vulgaris, to improve the growth and development of Pak Choi. A completely randomized design (CRD) was carried out, with five replications and six levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 g) of each microalga biofertilizer, using Pak Choi as the test plant. Treatment with microalgae biofertilizers was found to increase Pak Choi’s overall growth performance, biochemical development, and nutritional composition. The application of Spirulina platensis and Spirulina maxima microalgae at 2 g as a biofertilizer showed significant (p < 0.05) positive impacts on above- and below-ground biomass, photosynthetic parameters, biochemical composition, and the nutritional attributes of different parts of Pak Choi tissues. With the addition of biofertilizer, incorporating Chlorella vulgaris (2.5 g) showed remarkable (p < 0.05) impacts on the development of above- and below-ground biomass and biochemical and nutritional attributes. Thus, our results highlight that Chlorella vulgaris (2.5 g) outperforms other biofertilizer treatments and could be considered a sustainable approach for producing leafy vegetables. Full article

Nickel-, iron-, and cobalt-based alloy coatings were fabricated on the surface of U75V steel utilizing plasma cladding technology. This study investigates the microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological performance of the coatings. The findings reveal that the microstructure of the coatings predominantly consists of dendritic and eutectic structures. The surface microstructure exhibited a dense, continuous, and uniform morphology. Following the cladding process, the samples were characterized by residual compressive stress. In comparison to the substrate, the hardness of the Ni-, Fe-, and Co-based coatings increased by 141%, 101%, and 44%, respectively; the wear rates of these coatings decreased by 36.6%, 22.1%, and 11.7%, respectively. The wear mechanisms of the Ni- and Fe-based coatings were predominantly adhesive wear; however, the extent of adhesive wear of the Fe-based coating was more obvious than that of the Ni-based coating. By contrast, the Co-based coating exhibited abrasive wear, which was the most severe among the three types of coatings. Additionally, the Ni-based coating demonstrated the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate, thereby exhibiting superior wear resistance compared to the other two coatings. Full article

Long-read sequencing (LRS) provides comprehensive genetic information, but research of LRS applied to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) newborn screening is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of LRS in genetic diagnosis and second-tier newborn screening. Neonates born between January 2017 and December 2022 in Fujian, China, were recruited for biochemical and LRS-based genetic screening assay. The LRS covers the entire gene regions and exon–intron boundary regions for CYP21A2, CYP11B1, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, and StAR. In this retrospective study, 1,774,555 newborns received 17α-OHP screening, yielding a screening positive rate of 0.20%. Of these high-risk neonates, 3411 were successfully recalled for re-evaluation. Finally, 66 neonates were diagnosed with CAH, with a positive predictive value of 28.82%. Based on this data, the overall prevalence of CAH in Fujian was estimated to be 1:26,883. LRS was performed on 57 neonates with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) and 109 variant alleles were identified. The c.293-13C>G variant (31.19%) was the most prevalent in Fujian. Additionally, 647 neonates with suspected positive results were genotyped, and 41 were identified as carriers, with carrier frequencies of 1:18 for CYP21A2, 1:162 for HSD3B2, and 1:324 for CYP17A1 in Xiamen. Therefore, LRS can provide comprehensive genotypes in approximately 1.5 days at a cost of less than $20 USD per sample, and effectively improve screening efficiency, reduce anxiety of parents during newborn screening (NBS), and shorten the time to referral of CAH patients (approximately 10 days). Such a combined screening strategy is worthy to be recommended for NBS programs in the future. Full article

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common type of anemia in children and pregnant women. The effects of iron deficiency on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles are not fully understood. Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to explore associations among IDA, gut microbiota, and metabolites. MR analysis was conducted using computational methods, utilizing human genetic data. Data were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), with inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) as the primary method. Animal models evaluated the effects of IDA on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. Results: IVW analysis revealed significant associations between gut microbial taxa and IDA. The genus Desulfovibrio was protective (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77–0.93, p = 0.001), while Actinomyces (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.23, p = 0.025) and family XIII (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01–1.32, p = 0.035) increased IDA risk. Glycine was protective (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.99, p = 0.011), whereas medium low density lipoprotein (LDL) phospholipids increased risk (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00–1.15, p = 0.040). Animal models confirmed reduced Desulfovibrio, increased Actinomyces, and altered metabolites, including amino acids and phospholipids. Conclusions: IDA significantly impacts gut microbiota and metabolic profiles, offering insights for therapeutic strategies targeting microbiota and metabolism. Full article

The destructive bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum leads to substantial losses in pepper production worldwide. Plant-derived pesticides exhibit advantages of high efficiency and broad spectrum when compared to traditional chemical pesticides. Artemisia annua and ‘Tai Jiao’ No. 1 were used as the experimental materials, and treated with 0.75 g·mL⁻¹, 1.5 g·mL⁻¹, and 3 g·mL⁻¹ of A. annua extract and inoculated with R. solanacearum at a concentration of OD600 = 0.1 for 14 days. The inhibitory activity of A. annua extracts against R. solanacearum, as well as the disease index, defense enzyme activities, and defense-related substances contents of pepper seedlings were determined. The results showed that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the A. annua extract was 3 g·mL⁻¹. As the concentration of A. annua extract increased, the extent of R. solanacearum cell crumpling intensified, accompanied by a gradual decline in its biofilm-forming ability. On the 14th day after treatment, the disease severity index and incidence rate were significantly reduced when the A. annua extract was applied at concentrations of 0.75 g·mL⁻¹ and 3 g·mL⁻¹. At both the 7th and 14th days after treatment, the application of A. annua extract at concentrations of 0.75 g·mL⁻¹ and 3 g·mL⁻¹ led to enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in peppers at different stages. Simultaneously, it reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), effectively scavenging reactive oxygen species and alleviating cellular lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the extract increased the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), as well as elevated the contents of soluble protein, flavonoids, and total phenols, ultimately enhancing the disease resistance of peppers. Considering the development costs, the application of A. annua extract at a concentration of 0.75 g·mL⁻¹ demonstrates great potential for green control measures against bacterial wilt in peppers. Full article

Fodder soybean (Glycine max L.) with high protein and yield is a popular forage grass in northeast China. Seasonal drought inhibits its growth and development during seedling stage. The objective of this study was to observe morpho-physiological changes in fodder soybean seedlings under melatonin (MT) treatments and identify appropriate concentration to alleviate the drought damage. Two varieties commonly used in northeast China were treated with 0, 50, 100, and 150 μM melatonin at soil water content of 30%. The results indicated that applying melatonin enhanced height, biomass and altered root morphology of fodder soybean seedlings under water-deficient conditions. The treatments with melatonin at different concentrations significantly reduced the contents of H₂O₂, O₂⁻ and MDA, while boosting the capacity of the antioxidant defense system and the content of osmotic adjustment substances. Meanwhile, increases in light energy capture and transmission efficiency were observed. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin regulated the expression levels of genes associated with photosynthesis and the antioxidant defense system. Notably, 100 μM melatonin treatment produced the most favorable effect in all treatments under drought conditions. These research results provide new information for enhancing the drought tolerance of fodder soybean using chemical measures. Full article

Heat stress is one of the most important environmental problems in agriculture, which severely restricts the growth and yield of plants. In plants, microRNA398 (miR398) negatively regulates the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by modulating the expression of its coding genes (CSDs) post-transcriptionally, thereby regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and stress resistance. In this study, the role of miR398 in heat stress tolerance in tomato was investigated. Under heat stress, the expression of miR398 was upregulated in tomato, while the expression of its target genes (CSD1 and CSD2) and SOD activity was downregulated. Furthermore, by comparing the heat stress response in wild type (WT) and a transgenic line overexpressing MIR398 (miR398-OE), the results showed that overexpression of miR398 promoted tomato growth and the expression of genes encoding heat shock factor (HSF, transcription factor) and heat shock protein (HSP) under heat stress. Meanwhile, downregulated activity of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and enhanced ROS accumulation was observed in miR398-OE compared with that in WT under heat stress. Further study using dimethylthiourea (DMTU, a ROS scavenger) indicated that the enhanced plant growth and expression of HSFs/HSPs was based on the promoted accumulation of ROS in miR398-OE. Overall, the results of this study revealed that the upregulated expression of miR398 in response to heat stress would modulate the antioxidant system and enhance ROS accumulation, thereby enhancing the expression of HSFs and HSPs and heat stress tolerance in tomato. Full article

This research evaluated the effect of fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum 11122, Lactobacillus casei 23184, and Lactobacillus lactis 1011 on structure, pasting, and in vitro digestion properties of glutinous rice starch varying in TN and HY genotype, respectively. The results showed that fermentation decreased the weight-average molecular weight and increased the radius of gyration. The short chain was increased by degrading the medium chain (B₂, DP 24−35) of amorphous in starch, which directly led to the increase of branching degree and rearrangement of the starch chain. LAB fermentation increases the short-range ordered structure, helix structure, and crystallinity by polymerization or interactions of short chains between intermolecular and intramolecular. Furthermore, the pasting characteristic of the fermented starch sample obtained obvious improvement in terms of hydration capacity, including breakdown and setback value. Fermentation facilitated the forming of both slowly digestible starch (17.1–30.79%) and resistant starch (32.3–46.8%) in TN but caused a decline in the content of rapidly digestible starch (25.47–43.6% in TN, 9.36–17.8% in HY). The result of Pearson’s correlation tests and PCA showed the variety of structural and physicochemical of fermentation-treated starch depend highly on the starter culture and starch resources. These results provided new data support for the potential application of modified starch by fermentation with LABs. Full article

To meet the demand for enhanced oil recovery in shale reservoirs and to improve the fluidity of shale oil while strengthening its imbibition effect, a multifunctional, thermally stable nanofluid agent, SDP-3, was synthesized using acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonicacid (AMPS) as the primary raw materials. A series of characterizations and tests were conducted to evaluate its interfacial properties, stability, viscosity reduction performance, wettability, and imbibition-driven oil recovery capabilities. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which SDP-3 enhances the recovery of shale oil were analyzed. The results demonstrated that a mass concentration of 2% SDP-3 could reduce the oil–water interfacial tension to 0.071 mN/m. When the concentration increased to 2.0%, the interfacial tension further decreased to 0.071 mN/m, at which point the viscosity reduction rate for shale oil reached 92.02%, and the imbibition recovery rate was 36.57%. Microscopic observations revealed that SDP-3 could disperse shale oil into fibrous and spherical forms, effectively detaching the adhering shale oil from minute pores. This nanofluid agent not only exhibits excellent compatibility and stability but also achieves an ideal oil recovery effect while significantly improving recovery rates, showcasing its immense application potential in oilfield development. Full article

Background The growth habit (GH), also named the branching habit, is an important agronomic trait of peanut and mainly determined by the lateral branch angle (LBA). The branching habit is closely related to peanut mechanized farming, pegging, yield, and disease management. Objectives However, the molecular basis underlying peanut LBA needs to be uncovered. Methods In the present study, an erect branching peanut mutant, eg06g, was obtained via ⁶⁰Co γ-ray-radiating mutagenesis of a spreading-type peanut cultivar, Georgia-06G (G06G). RNA-seq was performed to compare the transcriptome variation of the upper sides and lower sides of the lateral branch of eg06g and G06G. Results In total, 4908 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 5833 DEGs were identified between eg06g and G06G from the lower sides and upper sides of the lateral branch, respectively. GO, KEGG, and clustering enrichment analysis indicated that the carbohydrate metabolic process, cell wall organization or biogenesis, and plant hormone signal transduction were mainly enriched in eg06g. Conclusions Further analysis showed that the genes involved in starch biosynthesis were upregulated in eg06g, which contributed to amyloplast sedimentation and gravity perception. Auxin homeostasis and transport-related genes were found to be upregulated in eg06g, which altered the redistribution of auxin in eg06g and in turn triggered apoplastic acidification and activated cell wall modification-related enzymes, leading to tiller angle establishment through the promotion of cell elongation at the lower side of the lateral branch. In addition, cytokinin and GA also demonstrated synergistic action to finely regulate the formation of peanut lateral branch angles. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the molecular regulation of peanut LBA and present genetic materials for breeding peanut cultivars with ideotypes. Full article