A high-quality chromosomal genome assembly of Diospyros oleiferaCheng.

Background: Diospyros oleifera Cheng, of the family Ebenaceae, is an economically important tree. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that D. oleifera is closely related to Diospyros kaki Thunb.

TrkB Signaling Influences Gene Expression in Cortistatin-Expressing Interneurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signals through its cognate receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) to promote the function of several classes of inhibitory interneurons. We previously reported that loss of BDNF-TrkB signaling in cortistatin (Cort)-expressing interneurons leads to behavioral hyperactivity and spontaneous seizures in mice. We performed bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) from the cortex of mice with disruption of BDNF-TrkB signaling in cortistatin interneurons, and identified differential expression of genes important for excitatory neuron function.

Health Benefits of the Flavonoids from Onion: Constituents and Their Pronounced Antioxidant and Anti-neuroinflammatory Capacities.

Onion is the most widely cultivated vegetable around the world. In this study, the isolation, concentration, quantification, and bioactivity evaluation of the phenolics in onion peels were investigated. Thirty-four phenolics, including 17 flavonoids and 17 nonflavonoid phenolics, were purified and identified.

NFATc1 is a Necessary Transcription Factor in Polarisation of T Helper Type 2 Lymphocytes Induced by Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) activates lung dendritic cells (DCs) to promote a T helper type 2 lymphocyte (Th2) response in animal models. However, the mechanism behind this process remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the role of a nuclear factor for activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) in the TSLP-induced polarisation towards a Th2 response.

A Supramolecular-Based Dual-Wavelength Phototherapeutic Agent with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

With the ever-increasing threat posed by the multi-drug resistance of bacteria, the development of non-antibiotic agents for the broad-spectrum eradication of clinically prevalent superbugs remains a global challenge. Here, we demonstrate the simple supramolecular self-assembly of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with a cationic porphyrin (Pp4N) to afford unique one-dimensional wire-like GNR superstructures coated with Pp4N nanoparticles. This Pp4N/GNR nanocomposite displays excellent dual-modal properties with significant reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) production (in photodynamic therapy) and temperature elevation (in photothermal therapy) upon light irradiation at 660 and 808 nm, respectively.

Effect of Thermal Conductive Fillers on the Flame Retardancy, Thermal Conductivity, and Thermal Behavior of Flame-Retardant and Thermal Conductive Polyamide 6.

In this work, polyamide 6 (PA6) composites with improved flame retardancy and thermal conductivity were prepared with different thermal conductive fillers (TC fillers) such as aluminum nitride (AlN) and boron nitride (BN) in a PA6 matrix with aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi) as a fire retardant. The resultant halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) and thermal conductive (TC) PA6 (HFFR-TC-PA6) were investigated in detail with a mechanical property test, a limiting oxygen index (LOI), the vertical burning test (UL-94), a cone calorimeter, a thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology of the impact fracture surface and char residue of the composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

A Novel Nitrite-Base Aerobic Denitrifying Bacterium sp. YT03 and Its Transcriptome Analysis.

Nitrite in a water environment is very harmful to humans and aquatic animals. A novel aerobic denitrifying bacterium able to utilize -N as the only nitrogen source was isolated for the purpose of removing nitrite from water, which was identified as sp. and named as YT03.

Selection and validation of reference genes for quantitative gene expression analyses in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) using real-time quantitative PCR.

Background And Aims: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is an economically important fruit tree species with complex flowering characteristics. To obtain accurate expression pattern analysis results, it is vital to select a reliable gene for the normalization of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction data. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal internal control gene among six candidate genes for gene expression analysis in different persimmon organs and developmental stages.

Workplace smoking restrictions and support for smoking cessation in the USA: state, region, and overall trends from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

We discuss the most recent changes in smoking policies and support for smoking cessation offered to smokers at US workplaces. We used reports of employed adults ( = 112,008) regarding smoking restrictions and support for smoking cessation offered at their indoor workplaces from the 2010-11 and 2014-15 Tobacco Use Supplement-Current Population Survey. The percentage of adults who reported having workplace smoking restrictions was 94% in 2010-11 and 93% in 2014-15 ( = 0.

Polypropylene Glycol-Polyoxytetramethylene Glycol Multiblock Copolymers with High Molecular Weight: Synthesis, Characterization, and Silanization.

The high crystallization at room temperature and high cost of polyoxytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) have become obstacles to its application. To overcome these problems, a segment of PTMG can be incorporated into a block copolymer. In this work, polypropylene (PPO) glycol-polyoxytetramethylene (PPO-PTMG) multiblock copolymers were designed and synthesized through a chain extension between hydroxyl (OH)-terminated PPO and PTMG oligomers.

Outer membrane vesicles enhance tau phosphorylation and contribute to cognitive impairment.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nanosized vesicles produced by the gut microbiota (GM). The GM is well-known to be involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism of OMVs is not clear.

Selective Enrichment of Clenbuterol onto Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Microspheres with Tailor-made Structure and Oxygen Functionalities.

The noxious clenbuterol misapplied as the feed additive has posed an enormous threat to humans who actively rely on the food chains with high potential of contamination by clenbuterol, such as pork and beef. It is, therefore, highly desirable to develop novel materials and strategies for dealing with the clenbuterol. Herein, functional polymer microspheres prepared by Pickering emulsion polymerization were explored for the selective enrichment of the clenbuterol, and their structure and oxygen functionalities could be tailor-made by a molecular imprinting process.

Multivariate Pattern Classification of Primary Insomnia Using Three Types of Functional Connectivity Features.

To explore whether or not functional connectivity (FC) could be used as a potential biomarker for classification of primary insomnia (PI) at the individual level by using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). Thirty-eight drug-naive patients with PI, and 44 healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional MR imaging. Voxel-wise functional connectivity strength (FCS), large-scale functional connectivity (large-scale FC) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were calculated for each participant.

A polymer cage as an efficient polysulfide reservoir for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Herein, we present a self-assembly strategy to prepare a cage-polymer coated sulfur sample. The sample embeds graphene as a new sulfur cathode. The cathode exhibits excellent electrochemical stability, maintaining a capacity of 546 mA h g after 495 cycles at 1C, corresponding to an attenuation rate of 0.

Carvacrol Attenuates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Modulating the PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 Pathway in Diabetic Mice.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, eventually leads to heart failure. Carvacrol is a food additive with diverse bioactivities. We aimed to study the protective effects and mechanisms of carvacrol in DCM.

Enhanced Electrical Conductivity of SbS Thin Film via C Modification and Improvement in Solar Cell Efficiency.

SbS has attracted great research interest very recently as a promising absorber material for photoelectric and photovoltaic devices because of its unique optical and electrical properties and single, stable phase. However, the intrinsic high resistivity property of SbS material is one of the major factors restricting the further improvement of its application. In this work, the C modification of SbS thin films is investigated.

First flush of non-point source pollution and hydrological effects of LID in a Guangzhou community.

To study the first flush effect of nonpoint source pollution in the Guangzhou community unit, runoff from roads, roofs, and green spaces during three rainfall events was collected and analyzed for pollutants. Nine runoff pollution indices were considered. The dimensionless cumulative curve of pollutant mass vs.

A Generalized Crystallization Protocol for Scalable Deposition of High-Quality Perovskite Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications.

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have raised considerable scientific interest due to their high cost-efficiency potential for photovoltaic solar energy conversion. As PSCs already are meeting the efficiency requirements for renewable power generation, more attention is given to further technological barriers as environmental stability and reliability. However, the most major obstacle limiting commercialization of PSCs is the lack of a reliable and scalable process for thin film production.

Genome-wide characterization of the NUCLEAR FACTOR-Y (NF-Y) family in Citrus grandis identified CgNF-YB9 involved in the fructose and glucose accumulation.

Background: Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is increasingly known to be involved in many aspects of plant growth and development. To date, the systematic characterization of NF-Y family has never been reported in Citrus grandis.

Objective: Genome-wide characterization of C.

Torasemide versus furosemide in treatment of heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: Diuretics are a cornerstone in treatment of heart failure (HF). Torasemide is a loop diuretic with a potential advantage over other diuretics. We aim to meta-analyse and compare the effect of torasemide with furosemide in HF patients.

Electrospun oral formulations for combined photo-chemotherapy of colon cancer.

In this work, we report new formulations for the combined photo-chemotherapy of colon cancer. Fibers were fabricated via coaxial-electrospinning with the intent of targeting delivery of the anti-cancer drug carmofur (CAR) and the photosensitizer rose bengal (RB) selectively to the colon site. The fibers comprised a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) core loaded with the active ingredients, and a pH-sensitive Eudragit L100-55 shell.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel perimidine o-quinone derivatives as non-intercalative topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitors.

For the development of novel anticancer agents, we designed and synthesized a total of 37 perimidine o-quinone derivatives containing the o-quinone group at the A or B ring and different substituents (alkyl groups, aryl groups or heterocycles) at the C ring of the compounds. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) were established based on the cytotoxicity data of compounds from the HL-60, Huh7, Hct116, and Hela cell lines. The cytotoxicity results showed that most compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity.

Histological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses reveal liver damage in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to phenanthrene.

Phenanthrene (PHE) is a common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in aquatic environments, and this contaminant can cause adverse effects on teleostean performance. In this study, we exposed the model freshwater fish (zebrafish; Danio rerio) to 300 μg/L PHE for 15 days. Histological analysis demonstrated that liver morphology deteriorated in PHE-exposed zebrafish, and cellular damage in the liver increased.