Environmental tipping points for global soil nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (NFMs) are important components of soil N sinks and are influenced by multiple environmental factors. We established a random forest model optimized by the distributed delayed particle swarm optimization (RODDPSO) algorithm to analyze the global NFM data. Soil pH, organic carbon (OC), mean annual precipitation (MAP), altitude, and total phosphorus (TP) are factors with contributions greater than 10% to NFMs.

Muscle fiber types switched during the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

As one of the largest organs of our human body, skeletal muscle has good research prospects in myasthenia gravis (MG), the symptoms of which include systemic skeletal muscle weakness. Skeletal muscle is composed of two types of muscle fibers. Different fiber subtypes can be converted into each other; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet clear.

A double cross-linked film based on carboxymethyl chitosan binding with L-cysteine/ oxidized konjac glucomannan with slow-release of nisin for food preservation.

In order to address the issue of food contamination by microorganisms and effectively harness the antibacterial properties of nisin, we attempted to incorporate nisin into natural polymer films while addressing its inherent instability. An antibacterial food packaging film based on carboxymethyl chitosan (CCS) binding with L-cysteine (CYS) and oxidized konjac glucomannan (OKG) was developed through both Schiff base reaction and addition reaction of thiol aldehyde. To analyze the effect of addition reaction of thiol aldehyde on the CCS-CYS/OKG films' physicochemical properties, the CCS-CYS was prepared with different CYS combination rates, which were further used to fabricate composite films.

Age- and sex-specific differences in myocardial sympathetic tone and left ventricular remodeling following myocardial injury.

Background: Presentations and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (MI) differ between women and men, with the worst outcomes being reported in younger women. Mental stress induced ischemia and sympathetic activation have been suggested to play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of MI in younger women, however, the impact of sex hormones on these parameters remains unknown.

Methods: The effect of sex hormones and age on myocardial infarct size and myocardial sympathetic activity (MSA) was assessed in male and female, as well as young (4-6 months) and aged (20-22 months) FVB/N mice (n = 106, 60 gonadectomized and 46 sham-operated animals) who underwent in vivo [C]meta-hydroxyephedrine ([C]mHED) positron emission tomography (PET) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging 24 h after a 30 min myocardial ischemic injury.

Toward Surface Passivation of Black Phosphorus via a Self-Assembled Ferrocene Molecular Layer.

Black phosphorus (BP), a promising two-dimensional material, faces significant challenges for its applications due to its instability in air and water. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations reveal that a self-assembled ferrocene (FeCp) molecular layer can form on BP surfaces and remain stable in aqueous environments, predicting its effectiveness for passivation. This theoretical finding is corroborated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopy observations.

Hindered Sedimentation of Tungsten Carbide Particles in a Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene-Based Polymer-Bonded Explosive Energetic Composite System.

Energetic composite systems with uniform particle distributions are of considerable interest, but sedimentation is a persisting challenge. Tungsten carbide (WC, density: 15.36 g/cm) particles are promising cemented carbide particles owing to their desirable properties.

Sibanin, a novel black fly-derived Kunitz protease inhibitor, prevents thrombus formation in mice by anticoagulation-antiplatelet duality.

Most Kunitz inhibitors exhibit serine protease inhibitory activity, but limited information is available on the regulation of platelet function. Herein, we report the purification and characterization of a novel single Kunitz domain inhibitor (Sibanin) from the salivary glands of the black fly Simulium bannaense. Recombinant Sibanin prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time, and exhibited high-affinity binding to FXa and elastase with a KD of 5.

Anisotropic nanocellulose-based aerogels for radiative cooling.

To this day, energy conservation, emission reduction, and environmental protection continue to be goals pursued by humanity. Passive radiation cooling, as a zero-consumption refrigeration technology, offers substantial opportunities for reducing global energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. It is of great significance to develop high-performance passive radiation cooling materials from sustainable materials.

Tandem modification strategy on technical lignin realizing the balance of solubility and antioxidant activity in castor oil.

In this study, demethylated-acylated enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (DAEHL) with excellent solubility in castor oil and antioxidant activities were prepared via the tandem modification strategy. First, iodocyclohexane simultaneously achieved β-O-4 breakage and hydrogenation, which enhanced the antioxidant activity of lignin. Furthermore, the acylation reaction by palmitoyl chloride increased the alkyl content in the lignin, which can improve the solubility of lignin in castor oil.

Influence of Wild and Cultivated Environments on the Antioxidant and Medicinal Components of A. Boriss.

A. Boriss., recognized for its significant medicinal potential, is increasingly threatened by overharvesting in wild habitats.

Reducing Cd and Pb Accumulation in Potatoes: The Role of Soil Passivators in Contaminated Mining Soils.

This work aimed to explore safe techniques for the utilization of farmland surrounding mining areas contaminated with heavy metals-specifically cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)-in order to achieve food security in agricultural production. A potato variety (Qingshu 9) with high Cd and Pb accumulation was used as the test crop, and seven treatments were set up: control (CK), special potato fertilizer (T1), humic acid (T2), special potato fertilizer + humic acid (T3), biochar (T4), calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (T5), and biochar + calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (T6). The remediation effect of the combined application of different passivators on the accumulation of cadmium and lead in potatoes in the contaminated soil of a mining area was studied.

Visualizing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy in Alzheimer's Model Cells by a Peroxynitrite-Responsive AIEgen Fluorescent Probe.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy (ER-phagy) occurring in nerve cells are crucial physiological processes closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Visualizing the two processes is paramount to advance our understanding of AD pathologies. Among the biomarkers identified, peroxynitrite (ONOO) emerges as a key molecule in the initiation and aggravation of ER stress and ER-phagy, highlighting its significance in the underlying mechanisms of the two processes.

Physiological premature aging of ovarian blood vessels leads to decline in fertility in middle-aged mice.

Ovarian function declines significantly as females enter middle-age, but the mechanisms underlying this decline remain unclear. Here, we utilize whole-organ imaging to observe a notable decrease in ovarian blood vessel (oBV) density and angiogenesis intensity of middle-aged mice. This leads to a diminished blood supply to the ovaries, resulting in inadequate development and maturation of ovarian follicles.

Hemostasis Strategies and Recent Advances in Hydrogels for Managing Uncontrolled Hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage continues to pose a significant challenge in various medical contexts, underscoring the need for advanced hemostatic materials. Hemostatic hydrogels have gained recognition as innovative tools for addressing uncontrollable bleeding, attributed to their distinctive features including biological compatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and exceptional hemostatic performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of hemostatic hydrogels that offer rapid and effective bleeding control.

Hippocampal SIRT1 signaling mediates the ameliorative effect of treadmill exercise on anxiety- and depression-like behavior in APP/PS1 mice.

Objective: Anxiety and depression-like symptoms occur in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Hippocampal Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling mediates anxiety- and depression-like behavior. Exercise training improves anxiety and depression-like behavior in various disease models, such as the rat chronic restraint stress model, rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder, and rat model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Simultaneous Imaging of pH and Peroxynitrite in the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria: Revealing Organelle Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis.

pH and peroxynitrite (ONOO) are two critical biomarkers to unveil the corresponding status of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are closely related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Simultaneously monitoring pH and ONOO fluctuations in the ER and mitochondria during AD progression is pivotal for clarifying the interplay between the disorders of the two organelles and revealing AD pathogenesis. Herein, we designed and synthesized a dual-channel fluorescent probe (DCFP) to visualize pH and ONOO in the ER and mitochondria.

Correlation Analysis of Ecosystem Reduction and Retention Effects and Spatial Distribution of Soil Potential Toxicity Elements.

Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a significant threat to crop quality and human health, making it a global concern. However, the distribution patterns of PTEs across different land-use types are not well understood. To investigate the relationship between the reduction and retention effects of various ecosystem types on soil PTEs, we analyzed five categories of target elements in 299 soil samples from the southeastern Yunnan Province.

Modeling and Simulation of Micron Particle Agglomeration in a Turbulent Flow: Impact of Cylindrical Disturbance and Particle Properties.

The fly ash generated by coal combustion is one of the main sources of PM2.5, so the particulate matter removal technology of coal-fired boilers is receiving increasing attention. Turbulent agglomeration has emerged as a powerful tool for improving the efficiency of removing fine particulates from environments, sparking interest in its study.

Epac2-mediated synaptic insertion of Ca-permeable AMPARs in the nucleus accumbens contributes to incubation of cocaine craving.

The accumulation of GluA2-lacking Ca-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) in the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is required for the expression of incubation of cocaine craving. The exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) is an intracellular effector of cAMP and a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTPase Rap1. Epac2 has been implicated in the trafficking of AMPA receptors at central synapses.

SMART: Development and Application of a Multimodal Multi-organ Trauma Screening Model for Abdominal Injuries in Emergency Settings.

Rationale And Objectives: Effective trauma care in emergency departments necessitates rapid diagnosis by interdisciplinary teams using various medical data. This study constructed a multimodal diagnostic model for abdominal trauma using deep learning on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) and unstructured text data, enhancing the speed and accuracy of solid organ assessments.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected from patients undergoing abdominal CT scans.

Exploration of (R)-[C]YH168 as a PET tracer for imaging monoacylglycerol lipase in the brain: from mice to non-human primates.

Purpose: The monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) plays a pivotal role in modulating the endocannabinoid system and is considered an attractive therapeutic target for diseases in both the central nervous system and periphery. The current study aimed to develop and evaluate a suitable carbon-11 labeled tracer for imaging MAGL in preclinical studies.

Methods: (R)-YH168 was synthesized via a multi-step pathway and its half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) values were measured using an enzymatic assay.

Pullulan-spermine enhance the tolerance of probiotics and immune stimulation of macrophages.

The application of probiotics as adjunctive therapy in colorectal cancer treatment is hindered by the paucity of strains with specialized functions and the instability of their in vivo efficacy. The design of innovative and simple encapsulation strategies to enhance their stability and efficacy of probiotics has garnered substantial interest. This study investigated four Bifidobacterium longum strains from human feces for tolerance and cytotoxicity, and then synthesized a cationic polysaccharide, pullulan-spermine (PS), for probiotic encapsulation.

Ensuring reliability in electronic examinations through UPPAAL-based trustworthy design.

Electronic examination serves as an efficient method for assessing learning outcomes, yet the integration of computers into exam processes introduces potential for unreliability. In this article, we propose a formal model for electronic examinations using timed automata, providing a structured approach to understanding and managing the complexities. The electronic examination process is modeled by defining four UPPAAL templates, .