Search Results (577)

Infection of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) embryo cell line YCE1 with megalocytivirus strain FD201807 leads to accumulation of capsid-deficient viral intermediates within intracellular vesicles at 48 h post-infection (a phenotype associated with non-lytic egress), which coincides with the initial peak of viral genomic copies. To characterize the host molecular response during this critical stage, we performed time-course RNA sequencing at 24, 48, 96, and 144 hpi. Integrated analysis identified 6661 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1138 differential alternative splicing (DAS) events affecting 892 genes, with DAS event abundance peaking at 48 h. DAS genes in autophagy and Golgi vesicle transport pathways, both integral to animal innate immunity, were significantly enriched exclusively at this timepoint, featuring novel mutually exclusive exon (MXE) isoforms in gopc (Golgi-associated PDZ and coiled-coil motif containing) and rint1 (RAD50 interactor 1). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of DEGs identified mapk9 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 9) and map1lc3a (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha) as hub genes within modules enriched for autophagy-related functions. Separate co-expression analysis of DAS genes revealed rnf5, rimoc1, and golga4 as hub genes, with gopc exhibiting only a single linkage to rnf5. These findings implied concurrent transcriptional and virus-induced host splicing regulation of vesicle-associated innate defense pathways and suggest that splicing-derived features may serve as potential candidates for diagnostics or prevention against megalocytivirus disease in L. crocea. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a serious threat to global food and feed safety. Laccase-based enzymatic degradation represents a promising green strategy for AFB1 removal; however, its industrial application is severely limited by the rapid thermal inactivation of wild-type enzymes under high-temperature processing conditions (>70 °C). Here, we engineered the thermal stability of a laccase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 through an integrated strategy combining computational structural biology with semi-rational design. By coupling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with folding free-energy (ΔΔG) calculations, we identified key flexible regions associated with thermal instability and subsequently implemented iterative saturation mutagenesis. The best single mutant, R196C, retained more than 96% relative activity after heat treatment at 80 °C for 10 min. Further iterative mutational stacking progressively enhanced thermostability: the R90E/R196C double mutant showed 1.25-fold higher activity at 80 °C than R196C, and the R90E/R196C/H54F triple mutant showed a further 1.16-fold increase over the double mutant. The final quadruple mutant, R90E/R196C/H54F/R253I, achieved 86.9% AFB1 degradation at 80 °C after 24 h. High-temperature MD simulations (100 ns at 353.15 K) indicated that the enhanced thermostability was associated with reduced conformational flexibility, lower radius of gyration (Rg) and solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and a coil-to-β-sheet transition that contributed to stabilization of the protein core. In addition, efficient secretory expression of the engineered enzyme was achieved in Pichia pastoris, reaching 3.0 U/mL, while the crude enzyme maintained more than 70% activity at 80 °C. Collectively, these results provide a practical basis for the rational engineering and scalable production of thermostable biocatalysts for AFB1 detoxification-related applications of AFB1 control, and offer broader insights into the targeted enhancement of thermal stability in industrial enzymes. Full article

The mainstream Daoism of the Tang Dynasty was the Highest Clarity Tradition, a paradigmatic form of Medieval Daoism. Meanwhile, the existence of Immortal Daoism, as an offshoot, can be regarded as an undercurrent of Tang Dynasty Daoism, embodying the historical diversity of Daoism during this period. As a paradigmatic figure among Tang Dynasty literati, Li Bai had religious beliefs and practices deeply imbued with Immortal Daoist concepts. His practices centered on three core elements: questing for the immortal realm in untamed mountain landscapes, cultivating spiritual essence through reclusive seclusion, and asserting a strong self-identity as an “ostracized transcendent.” A comparative analysis of works of the same genre reveals that Li Bai’s pursuit of Daoism centered on leaving this mortal coil as a transcendent, whereas the ultimate goal of Medieval Daoist postulants was “Dedao” (to achieve perfect harmony with the Dao). When interacting with such priests, Li Bai would actively adopt the terminology of Daoist scriptures to align with their perspectives and even visit Daoist monasteries for tangible benefits. In his personal writings, he favored imagery associated with Immortal Daoism. Li Bai’s preference for Immortal Daoism not only resolves long-standing academic debates concerning his relationship with Daoism but also stands as a concrete manifestation of the variety of Daoism in the Tang Dynasty, thereby providing a multi-dimensional perspective for the study of Daoist history. Full article

Fish allergy, mainly caused by Parvalbumin (PV), is a worldwide health issue with few effective mitigation options. This study investigated Maillard conjugation using chitosan (CS) and various saccharides to modify the structural, functional, and allergenic properties of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) PV. Structural analyses, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, FTIR spectroscopy, and Circular dichroism, confirmed successful conjugation and significant changes in secondary structure, including decreases in α-helical content and increases in β-sheet and random-coil fractions. Glycation significantly boosted antioxidant activity, with total phenolic content (TPC) increasing up to 10.3 times and DPPH radical scavenging reaching 74.5% in the CS–xylose–PV conjugate (CXTPV). Indirect ELISA revealed notable (p < 0.05), sugar-dependent reductions in IgE-binding capacity, with reductions of up to approximately 72% for CXTPV. RBL-2H3 cell assays showed decreased β-hexosaminidase release (about 75% reduction), lowered IL-6 secretion, and strong inhibition of IL-4 production, indicating reduced allergenic potential and immune regulation. CXTPV demonstrated the best overall performance. These findings suggest that CS–saccharide Maillard conjugation is an effective approach for creating hypoallergenic marine ingredients with improved bioactive properties. Full article

Botulinum neurotoxin injections are used off-label to treat chronic pain, but their efficacy is limited and paralytic effects restrict clinical utility in these applications. Here, we investigated whether combining the light chain and translocation domains of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) with the GM1-binding B subunit of cholera toxin would be beneficial in silencing pain-associated sensory neurons. Chimeric ChoBot was assembled via a coiled-coil linking technology and was shown to retain the enzymatic activity of BoNT/A in vitro and in vivo. In cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons, ChoBot cleaved SNAP25 in a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-rich subpopulation of sensory neurons, resulting in marked inhibition of CGRP release. ChoBot had a lesser effect on the compound muscle action potentials of the rat gastrocnemius muscle than BoNT/A following subcutaneous injections. In rat models of pain, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, intraplantar administration of ChoBot significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed SNAP25 cleavage in NF200- and CGRP-expressing sensory fibres in the epidermis following a single injection. ChoBot also mediated SNAP25 cleavage in human neuroblastoma cells in culture. Together, these findings indicate that ChoBot enables a silencing of pain-associated sensory pathways, providing a new strategy for the development of new long-lasting analgesics for chronic pain. Full article

Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (FTAAD), caused by the pathogenic Myh11 K1256del variant, is characterized by impaired aortic contractility; however, how reduced contractility predisposes the aorta to dissection remains incompletely understood. In this study, we performed a data-driven trans-omic upstream analysis using Genome Enhancer to identify key regulatory mechanisms in aortas from Myh11 K1256del mice under baseline conditions, without exposure to exogenous pathological stimuli. Transcriptome analysis revealed enrichment of genes related to smooth muscle contraction and regulation of myosin light chain phosphatase activity. Upstream computational analysis of regulatory regions identified nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 as major transcription factors, and further highlighted Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) as a predicted central regulator of the dysregulated transcriptional network. Druggability analysis suggested ROCK1 and the JunB proto-oncogene AP-1 transcription factor subunit as potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, it predicted 51 candidate therapeutants, including atorvastatin, GSK-269962A, and atovaquone. These findings indicate that even in the absence of overt pathological stimulation, aortic tissue carrying the Myh11 K1256del variant exhibits a transcriptional program centered on ROCK signaling, which may prime the aorta for maladaptive responses to additional stress and may enhance susceptibility to dissection. This computational analysis requires experimental validation, but may provide a hypothesis-generating framework for development of preventive pharmacological interventions against FTAAD. Full article

To address the challenges of difficult quantitative design and potential coil mismatch in auxiliary coils within wireless power transfer systems, a data-driven parameter optimization method based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) was proposed. First, based on the inductor–capacitor–capacitor series (LCC-S) compensation topology, a mechanism-based analysis was conducted, establishing coil side length A and number of turns N as core optimization variables. Subsequently, a collaborative optimization framework integrating “parametric simulation–surrogate modeling–active learning” was established. An offline fingerprint database was constructed via finite element simulation, and a high-accuracy surrogate model was developed using a kernel ridge regression ensemble approach. Active learning strategies were employed to adaptively augment data points and mitigate uncertainty. Finally, the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm was applied to identify the Pareto-optimal solution set. Experimental results reveal that the optimized auxiliary coil parameters achieved positioning errors below 8 mm at all test points. The maximum positioning error was significantly reduced by approximately 80% compared to the traditional empirical approach, providing a useful parameter-selection reference for high-precision wireless charging alignment systems under the investigated static operating conditions. Full article

Internal reconnection events (IREs) are rapid magnetohydrodynamic phenomena that play an important role in the confinement and stability of spherical tokamak plasmas. Reliable identification of IREs in experimental data is challenging due to short discharge durations, ambiguous event boundaries, and the limited availability of labeled data. In this study, we propose an unsupervised, event-level IRE detection framework based on anomaly detection techniques and apply it to experimental data from the VEST spherical tokamak. The proposed framework combines a two-stage detection strategy using plasma current and $H_{\alpha }$ emission signals with sliding-window segmentation and event-level evaluation, enabling physically meaningful IRE identification without labeled training data. Three unsupervised models—K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), One-Class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM), and an autoencoder (AE)—are evaluated within a unified framework. All models achieve stable detection performance, with precision exceeding 80% and recall above 70% under a precision-oriented operating point. To enhance detection robustness, a KNN-based cleaning procedure is introduced during training to remove noise-driven, locally isolated windows, significantly reducing spurious detections while preserving physically meaningful IRE signatures. Event-level analysis indicates that missed detections under this operating regime predominantly correspond to weak events with limited impact on global plasma behavior. The proposed framework is fully unsupervised, computationally efficient, and readily extensible to other spherical tokamak devices, providing a flexible foundation for incorporating additional diagnostics, such as Mirnov coil signals, toward precursor-aware detection and future predictive modeling of IRE activity. Full article

Segmented telescopes face significant challenges in achieving high segment positioning accuracy under complex disturbances, which directly impact observational sensitivity and resolution. Conventional rigid actuators with limited bandwidth (e.g., Keck ~20 Hz) struggle to maintain control stability. Novel dual-stage actuators combining coarse and fine adjustment (e.g., voice coil motors) now achieve <8 nm precision over millimeter-level strokes. Moreover, their higher closed-loop bandwidth (e.g., TMT ~60 Hz) can ensure rapid settling without overshoot and robust suppression of high-frequency disturbances (e.g., pulsating wind and mechanical vibration). In parallel, system-level control strategies have been updated accordingly. Ground-based systems focus on real-time multimodal decoupling, while space-based systems emphasize non-contact vibration isolation and nested multi-loop control to achieve sub-arcsecond pointing stability. This review surveys the design and control strategies of damping–positioning mechanisms for segmented telescopes and discusses the key trade-offs among critical performance metrics, including resolution, stroke, and load capacity. Particular attention is given to the disturbance-sensitivity analysis and active damping techniques (up to ~50% vibration reduction) implemented in the ELT “hard” actuator approach. Future directions include cross-scale collaborative control, smart material applications, and AI-based adaptive parameter optimization, which together provide a technical pathway toward high-precision imaging in next-generation highly segmented telescopes. Full article

Selenium (Se) enrichment in yeast represents a promising strategy for producing organic Se with high bioavailability. However, a systematic understanding of how Se incorporation alters intact protein structure and function across diverse strains remains lacking. This study investigated four yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Kluyveromyces lactis, and Torulaspora delbrueckii) using multi-spectroscopic and radical scavenging assays. Despite moderate growth inhibition (10.4–27.7%), all strains accumulated substantial Se (1164–2858 µg/g). Structural analysis revealed that Se induced strain-dependent protein conformational perturbations. Specifically, in selenium-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where Se was predominantly incorporated as selenomethionine (SeMet, 85.80%), a significant structural relaxation occurred. This was characterized by decreased rigid β-sheet content, increased flexible random coils, and a substantial enhancement in surface hydrophobicity. Crucially, Pearson correlation analysis revealed that functional enhancements were synergistically governed by specific Se speciation and secondary structural remodeling. Enhanced DPPH^• scavenging activity was positively correlated with changes in β-sheet and random coil structures. Selenomethionine content was also significantly correlated with increased scavenging of ^•OH and ABTS^•+. Consequently, Saccharomyces cerevisiae uniquely achieved highly significant (p < 0.001) antioxidant improvements, whereas other strains showed moderate or non-significant responses despite high Se yields. Our findings demonstrate that the antioxidant efficacy of selenoproteins is not solely determined by total Se content but is fundamentally driven by the targeted bioconversion of SeMet and its associated structural relaxation. Full article

Palm kernel cake glutelin-1 (PKCG-1) can be used as a novel emulsifier, contingent upon enhancement of its emulsifying functionality. This study investigated the influences and underlying mechanisms of ultrasonication-assisted gallic acid-binding or arabinose-glycosylation on the emulsifying properties of PKCG-1. The results demonstrated that ultrasonication-assisted gallic acid-binding yielded the greatest improvement in emulsifying ability (from 91.03 to 159.74 m²/g), attributed to a concomitant decrease in molecular mass (from 59.2 to 48.4 kDa); increases in hydrophobicity (from 681 to 770), random coil content, and interfacial adsorption capacity (from 102.62 to 244.41 μg/mL); a reduction in the emulsion’s loss factor; and augmentation of zeta-potential (from −39.55 to −65.96 mV) and centrifugal stability (from 57.80% to 84.14%). Alternatively, ultrasonication-assisted arabinose glycosylation was best at enhancing the emulsion stability of PKCG-1 (from 79.77% to 98.36%) by increasing its solubility (from 28.35 to 73.85 g/100 mL) and random coil (from 25.9% to 46.9%), enhancing zeta-potential (from −39.55 to −84.81 mV) and viscosity; and reducing droplet size (1.10 to 0.64 μm) and loss tangent. Furthermore, the solubility, emulsifying activity, and emulsion stability of PKCG-1 decreased as pH increased from 2.5 to 8.5. Nevertheless, the application of the modified PKCG-1s as gels requires further studies. Full article

Rho GTPases are a group of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins with a relative molecular weight of about 20–30 kD, and 22 different Rho GTPases have been identified in mammalian cells, among which RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 are the most well-studied. Rho-associated coiled coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) is the most well-researched downstream effector of Rho GTPases. The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway widely participates in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton through cascade phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions and modulates cellular biological behaviors including cell adhesion, migration and phenotypic transformation. Abnormal activation of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of acute kidney injury, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension-related nephropathy and chronic allograft nephropathy, which contributes to podocyte injury, renal tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), mesangial cell proliferation and inflammatory infiltration in the kidney. This review focuses on the research progress and regulatory mechanisms of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the above four major kidney diseases and discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway for kidney disease treatment, aiming to provide new insights for elucidating the pathogenesis of kidney diseases and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Full article

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) provide a non-cryogenic alternative to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for detecting weak biomagnetic fields. We report the design, construction, and characterization of a single-cell intrinsic OPM gradiometer. The gradiometer employs a rubidium-87 vapor cell in an orthogonal pump and probe beam configuration. The pump beam was split to illuminate two parallel sensing regions of the cell, separated by a baseline of 3 cm, with opposing circular polarization. A linearly polarized probe beam propagated through both regions and was captured by a balanced polarimeter whose output directly measured the spatial magnetic gradient. This prototype achieved a common-mode rejection ratio exceeding 50 dB and a sensitivity of 267 pT/cm/√Hz without passive magnetic shielding, using active ambient-field coils. As a proof of concept, we recorded preliminary cardiac-synchronous magnetic measurements using an optical pulse sensor for beat segmentation. After bandpass filtering and ensemble averaging, a cardiac-synchronous waveform was observed, consistent with cardiac timing. Unlike many multi-cell gradiometers that require complex calibration, modulation, and passive shielding, this single-cell design reduces cost and complexity. Full article

To address the challenges associated with inter-module energy interaction and mode adjustment at load ports in distributed energy systems in the context of the energy transition, this paper proposes and designs a multi-port wireless energy interaction system based on LC series resonance and multi-coil magnetic coupling. The system aims to facilitate flexible energy interaction among power sources, energy storage units, and loads, as well as multi-modal port regulation. The system employs a multi-coil coupled full-bridge topology combined with a phase-shift control strategy to achieve energy exchange and power regulation among multiple ports. To meet the power demands of different ports, a port state control method incorporating a mode preset mechanism is proposed, enabling the intermediate port to switch seamlessly among input (source), output (load), and active relay modes. This paper analyzes the operating modes of a single port and establishes the dynamic mathematical model of the overall three-coil system as well as the small-signal model of the port output. Furthermore, it investigates the energy interaction mechanism to derive the operating characteristics and conditions under different modes, and elucidates the energy relay mechanism with zero active power consumption. A three-port hardware experimental platform was constructed based on a dsPIC33 controller. Experimental results indicate that: (1) the prototype achieved a maximum transmission power of 100 W; (2) the peak system efficiency reached $83.1\%$ under different load conditions; and (3) during mode switching, the system response time was less than 200 ms with no significant overshoot. The study demonstrates that the proposed topology and control strategy effectively realized dynamic energy interaction and seamless mode switching among multiple ports, providing a theoretical basis and engineering reference for multi-port energy interaction and wireless power transfer networks. Full article

Dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) has attracted significant interest due to its ability to transfer power to moving electric vehicles. Most existing DWPT research focuses on vehicles traveling along fixed paths. However, modern warehouses increasingly employ indoor electric vehicles (IEVs), such as autonomous mobile robots, that move along non-fixed paths. Although several solutions have been proposed for large-area DWPT systems applicable to IEVs with non-fixed trajectories, these approaches are predominantly based on inductive DWPT. Such systems require a large number of densely arranged transmitting coils and expensive ferrite pads, resulting in high system cost. To the authors’ best knowledge, no published work has addressed large-area capacitive DWPT systems for IEVs moving along non-fixed paths. This paper aims to fill this research gap. The main novelty of this work is the first proposal of a capacitive DWPT system for lightweight IEVs operating along non-fixed paths. The feasibility of the proposed solution is validated through simulation studies conducted in PSIM. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed DWPT system, employing an advanced transmitting-metal-plate activation strategy, can maintain an almost constant mutual capacitance, thereby ensuring a smooth output voltage at the receiving side for a moving IEV. Full article