Melatonin Enhances Heat Tolerance via Increasing Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Osmotic Regulatory Substances by Upregulating Expression in Maize ( L.).

Heat stress severely affects the yield and quality of maize. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamin, MT) plays an important role in various types of stress resistance in plants, including heat tolerance. Enolase (ENO, 2-phospho-D-glycerate hydrolyase) contributes to plant growth, development, and stress response.

Aβ and ROS dual-targeted multifunctional nanocomposite for combination therapy of Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) readily misfolds into neurotoxic aggregates, generating high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to progressive oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. Therefore, simultaneous inhibition of Aβ aggregation and scavenging of ROS may be a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate Alzheimer's disease pathology. Based on the previously developed antibody 1F12 that targets all forms of Aβ, we developed an Aβ and ROS dual-targeting nanocomposite using biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles as carriers to load ultra-small cerium oxide nanocrystals (bMSNs@Ce-1F12).

Sensitive detection of multiple blood biomarkers via immunomagnetic exosomal PCR for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Blood exosomes are emerging as potential biomarkers for diagnosing brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is currently a lack of an ultrasensitive technology for identifying core AD biomarkers in blood exosomes to optimize the utility of biomarkers in clinical practice. Here, an immunomagnetic exosomal polymerase chain reaction (iMEP) platform was developed using DNA-conjugated antibodies for the rapid detection of amyloid-β (Aβ and Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau and p-tau) in clinical blood exosomes.

Identification of the Maize Gene Family and Functional Studies on the Role of in Drought Tolerance.

The protein phosphatase PP2C plays an important role in plant responses to stress. Therefore, the identification of maize genes that respond to drought stress is particularly important for the improvement and creation of new drought-resistant assortments of maize. In this study, we identified 102 genes in maize at the genome-wide level.

Recent trends in treatment strategies for Alzheimers disease and the challenges: A topical advancement.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is an irreversible and progressive neurological disease that has affected at least 50 million people around the globe. Considering the severity of the disease and the continuous increase in the number of patients, the development of new effective drugs or intervention strategies for AD has become urgent. AD is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, but its exact cause has not yet been clarified.

Characterization of Chitin Synthase B Gene () and the Effects on Feeding Behavior in Moore.

The chitin synthase B gene is a key enzyme in the chitin synthesis of insect peritrophic matrix (PM), which affects insects' feeding behavior. The chitin synthase B gene was cloned from the transcription library of Moore. RT-qPCR showed that was highly expressed in the larval stage of , especially on the first day of the pre-pupal stage, as well as in the midgut of larvae and the abdomen of adults.

Ultrasensitive and point-of-care detection of plasma phosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease using colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering dual-readout lateral flow assay.

Unlabelled: Phosphorylation of tau at Ser (396, 404) (p-tau) is one of the earliest phosphorylation events, and plasma p-tau level appears to be a potentially promising biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low abundance and easy degradation of p-tau in the plasma make the lateral flow assay (LFA) a suitable choice for point-of-care detection of plasma p-tau levels. Herein, based on our screening of a pair of p-tau-specific antibodies, we developed a colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) dual-readout LFA for the rapid, highly sensitive, and robust detection of plasma p-tau levels.

Synthesis vs. salvage of ester- and ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamine in the intracellular protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent zoonotic pathogen infecting livestock as well as humans. The exceptional ability of this parasite to reproduce in several types of nucleated host cells necessitates a coordinated usage of endogenous and host-derived nutritional resources for membrane biogenesis. Phosphatidylethanolamine is the second most common glycerophospholipid in T.

Rapid metabolic reprogramming mediated by the AMP-activated protein kinase during the lytic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii.

The ubiquitous pathogen Toxoplasma gondii has a complex lifestyle with different metabolic activities at different stages that are intimately linked to the parasitic environments. Here we identified the eukaryotic regulator of cellular homeostasis AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in Toxoplasma and discovered its role in metabolic programming during parasite's lytic cycle. The catalytic subunit AMPKα is quickly phosphorylated after the release of intracellular parasites to extracellular environments, driving energy-producing catabolism to power parasite motility and invasion into host cells.

Elevated Plasma Oligomeric Amyloid β-42 Is Associated with Cognitive Impairments in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Due to the heterogeneity of amyloid β-42 (Aβ) species, the potential correlation between plasma oligomeric Aβ (oAβ) and cognitive impairments in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) remains unclear. Herein, a sandwich ELISA for the specific detection of Aβ oligomers (oAβ) and total Aβ (tAβ) was developed based on sequence- and conformation-specific antibody pairs for the evaluation of plasma samples from a Chinese CSVD community cohort. After age and gender matching, 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and multidimensional cognitive assessment were conducted in 134 CSVD patients and equal controls.

Evolution and Expression Patterns of the Fructose 1,6-Bisphosptase Gene Family in a Miracle Tree ().

() is a fast-growing tree species with tremendous economic and ecological value; the study of the key genes regulating photosynthesis and sugar accumulation is very important for the breeding of . Fructose 1,6-bisphosptase () gene has been found to play a key role in plant photosynthesis, sugar accumulation and other growth processes. However, no systemic analysis of has been reported in .

Colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering dual-mode magnetic immunosensor for ultrasensitive detection of blood phosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease.

Phosphorylation of tau at Ser 396, 404 (p-tau) is the earliest phosphorylation event and a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the detection of blood p-tau is challenging because of its low abundance, easy degradation, and complex formation with various blood proteins or cells, often leading to the underestimation of p-tau levels in conventional plasma-based assays. Herein, we developed a colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) dual-mode magnetic immunosensor for highly sensitive, specific, and robust detection of p-tau in whole blood samples.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle-encapsulated Bifidobacterium attenuates brain Aβ burden and improves olfactory dysfunction of APP/PS1 mice by nasal delivery.

Background: Dysbiosis or imbalance of gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), whereas exogenous SCFAs supplementation exacerbates brain Aβ burden in APP/PS1 mice. Bifidobacterium is the main producer of SCFAs in the gut flora, but oral administration of Bifidobacterium is ineffective due to strong acids and bile salts in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, regulating the levels of SCFAs in the gut is of great significance for AD treatment.

The beta subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase is critical for cell cycle progression and parasite development in Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread eukaryotic pathogen that causes life-threatening diseases in humans and diverse animals. It has a complex life cycle with multiple developmental stages, which are timely adjusted according to growth conditions. But the regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown.

Dual-targeted magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles reduce brain amyloid-β burden via depolymerization and intestinal metabolism.

Active removal of excess peripheral amyloid-β (Aβ) can potentially treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the peripheral clearance of Aβ using an anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody (mAb) cannot remove PET-detectable Aβ within the brain. This may be due to the inability of mAb to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to degrade insoluble brain Aβ plaques and block liver dysfunction.

Identification and diagnosis of meniscus tear by magnetic resonance imaging using a deep learning model.

Objective: Meniscus tear is a common problem in sports trauma, and its imaging diagnosis mainly relies on MRI. To improve the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, a deep learning model was employed in this study and the identification efficiency was evaluated.

Methods: Standard knee MRI images from 924 individual patients were used to complete the training, validation and testing processes.

KARRIKIN UPREGULATED F-BOX 1 negatively regulates drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

The karrikin (KAR) receptor and several related signaling components have been identified by forward genetic screening, but only a few studies have reported on upstream and downstream KAR signaling components and their roles in drought tolerance. Here, we characterized the functions of KAR UPREGULATED F-BOX 1 (KUF1) in drought tolerance using a reverse genetics approach in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We observed that kuf1 mutant plants were more tolerant to drought stress than wild-type (WT) plants.

SUPPRESSOR of MAX2 1 (SMAX1) and SMAX1-LIKE2 (SMXL2) Negatively Regulate Drought Resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Recent investigations in Arabidopsis thaliana suggest that SUPPRESSOR of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH 2 1 (SMAX1) and SMAX1-LIKE2 (SMXL2) are negative regulators of karrikin (KAR) and strigolactone (SL) signaling during plant growth and development, but their functions in drought resistance and related mechanisms of action remain unclear. To understand the roles and mechanisms of SMAX1 and SMXL2 in drought resistance, we investigated the drought-resistance phenotypes and transcriptome profiles of smax1 smxl2 (s1,2) double-mutant plants in response to drought stress. The s1,2 mutant plants showed enhanced drought-resistance and lower leaf water loss when compared with wild-type (WT) plants.

Quantitative assessment of AD markers using naked eyes: point-of-care testing with paper-based lateral flow immunoassay.

Aβ is one of the most extensively studied blood and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for the diagnosis of symptomatic and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because of the heterogeneity and transient nature of Aβ oligomers (AβOs), the development of technologies for dynamically detecting changes in the blood or CSF levels of Aβ monomers (AβMs) and AβOs is essential for the accurate diagnosis of AD. The currently commonly used Aβ ELISA test kits usually mis-detected the elevated AβOs, leading to incomplete analysis and underestimation of soluble Aβ, resulting in a comprised performance in AD diagnosis.

Dynamic Changes in the Levels of Amyloid-β Species in the Brain and Periphery of APP/PS1 Mice and Their Significance for Alzheimer's Disease.

Although amyloid-β (Aβ) has been used as one of the core biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, the dynamic changes of its different forms in the brain, blood, and even intestines and its correlation with the progression of AD disease remain obscure. Herein, we screened Aβ-specific preferred antibody pairs 1F12/1F12 and 1F12/2C6 to accurately detect Aβ types using sandwich ELISA, including total Aβ, Aβ oligomers (AβOs), and Aβ monomers (AβMs). The levels of Aβ species in the brain, blood, and intestines of different aged APP/PS1 mice were quantified to study their correlation with AD progression.

Optical Tissue Clearing: Illuminating Brain Function and Dysfunction.

Tissue optical clearing technology has been developing rapidly in the past decade due to advances in microscopy equipment and various labeling techniques. Consistent modification of primary methods for optical tissue transparency has allowed observation of the whole mouse body at single-cell resolution or thick tissue slices at the nanoscale level, with the final aim to make intact primate and human brains or thick human brain tissues optically transparent. Optical clearance combined with flexible large-volume tissue labeling technology can not only preserve the anatomical structure but also visualize multiple molecular information from intact samples in situ.

[Correlation between clinical classification of COVID-19 and imaging characteristics of MSCT volume scanning of the lungs].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the clinical classification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the imaging characteristics of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) volume scanning of the lungs.

Methods: The clinical data and thoracic MSCT volume scanning data were analyzed retrospectively for 102 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed and hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 18 and February 26, 2020. According to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines by the National Health Commission, the patients were divided into common type, severe type and critical type.

Acquisition of exogenous fatty acids renders apicoplast-based biosynthesis dispensable in tachyzoites of .

is a common protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of hosts, including livestock and humans. Previous studies have suggested that the type 2 fatty acid synthesis (FAS2) pathway, located in the apicoplast (a nonphotosynthetic plastid relict), is crucial for the parasite's survival. Here we examined the physiological relevance of fatty acid synthesis in by focusing on the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and malonyl-CoA-[acyl carrier protein] transacylase (FabD), which are located in the apicoplast to drive fatty acid biosynthesis.

The Sec1/Munc18-like proteins TgSec1 and TgVps45 play pivotal roles in assembly of the pellicle and sub-pellicle network in Toxoplasma gondii.

Post-Golgi vesicle trafficking is indispensable for precise movement of proteins to the pellicle, the sub-pellicle network and apical secretory organelles in Apicomplexa. However, only a small number of molecular complexes involved in trafficking, tethering and fusion of vesicles have been identified in Toxoplasma gondii. Consequently, it is unclear how complicated vesicle trafficking is accomplished in this parasite.