Auxin enhances grafting success in Carya cathayensis (Chinese hickory).

Application of auxin to root stock and scion increases the success rate of grafting in Chinese hickory. The nuts of the Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) tree are considered both delicious and healthy. The popularity and high demand result is that the hickory nuts are of very high economical value for horticulture.

Melamine-containing polyphosphazene wrapped ammonium polyphosphate: A novel multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid flame retardant.

To achieve superior fire safety epoxy resins (EP), a novel multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid, melamine-containing polyphosphazene wrapped ammonium polyphosphate (PZMA@APP) with rich amino groups was prepared and used as an efficient flame retardant. Thanks to the cross-linked polyphosphazene part, PZMA@APP exhibited high flame retardant efficiency and smoke suppression to the EP composites. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that PZMA@APP significantly enhanced the thermal stability of EP composites.

Identification of Novel Potentially Pleiotropic Variants Associated With Osteoporosis and Obesity Using the cFDR Method.

Context: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been successful in identifying loci associated with osteoporosis and obesity. However, the findings explain only a small fraction of the total genetic variance.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify novel pleiotropic genes important in osteoporosis and obesity.

APOBEC3B edits HBV DNA and inhibits HBV replication during reverse transcription.

Hepatitis B virus is a partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates by reverse transcription, which occurs within viral core particles in the cytoplasm. The cytidine deaminase APOBEC3B is a cellular restriction factor for HBV. Recently, it was reported that APOBEC3B can edit HBV cccDNA in the nucleus, causing its degradation.

Workflows and performances in the ranking prediction of 2016 D3R Grand Challenge 2: lessons learned from a collaborative effort.

The 2016 D3R Grand Challenge 2 includes both pose and affinity or ranking predictions. This article is focused exclusively on affinity predictions submitted to the D3R challenge from a collaborative effort of the modeling and informatics group. Our submissions include ranking of 102 ligands covering 4 different chemotypes against the FXR ligand binding domain structure, and the relative binding affinity predictions of the two designated free energy subsets of 15 and 18 compounds.

[Synthesis of soluble proinsulin in a cell-free protein synthesis system].

Proinsulin (Pins) is the precursor of insulin. The expression of proinsulin in Escherichia coli forms inclusion body, so that the recombinant protein should be processed with multiple steps to form active insulin. With the development in biotechnology, cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system is becoming a valuable tool in protein expression by decoupling the cell growth with protein production, which allows it to express proteins that would interfere with cell physiology.

X-ray Reflectivity Studies on the Mixed Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayers of Thiol-Capped Gold Nanoparticles, Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate.

Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of thiolated gold nanoparticles mixed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/sodium dodecyl sulfate (DPPC/SDS) were investigated by combining the X-ray reflectivity, grazing-incident scattering, and TEM analyses to reveal the in-depth and in-plane organization and the 2D morphology of such mixed monolayers. It was found that the addition of a charged single-tail surfactant to the thiolated Au nanoparticle monolayer helps to stabilize the Au nanoparticle monolayer and to strengthen the mechanical property of the mixed monolayer film. For mixing with lipids, it was found that the thiolated gold nanoparticles could be pushed on top of the lipid monolayer when the mixed monolayer is compressed.

Development of a fast and efficient method for hepatitis A virus concentration from green onion.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause serious liver disease and even death. HAV outbreaks are associated with the consumption of raw or minimally processed produce, making it a major public health concern. Infections have occurred despite the fact that effective HAV vaccine has been available.

Performance of multiple docking and refinement methods in the pose prediction D3R prospective Grand Challenge 2016.

We describe the performance of multiple pose prediction methods for the D3R 2016 Grand Challenge. The pose prediction challenge includes 36 ligands, which represent 4 chemotypes and some miscellaneous structures against the FXR ligand binding domain. In this study we use a mix of fully automated methods as well as human-guided methods with considerations of both the challenge data and publicly available data.

Biobased polyelectrolyte multilayer-coated hollow mesoporous silica as a green flame retardant for epoxy resin.

Here, we describe a multifunctional biobased polyelectrolyte multilayer-coated hollow mesoporous silica (HM-SiO@CS@PCL) as a green flame retardant through layer-by-layer assembly using hollow mesoporous silica (HM-SiO), chitosan (CS) and phosphorylated cellulose (PCL). The electrostatic interactions deposited the CS/PCL coating on the surface of HM-SiO. Subsequently, this multifunctional flame retardant was used to enhance thermal properties and flame retardancy of epoxy resin.

Neuroprotective effects of curcumin alleviate lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration through regulating the expression of iNOS, COX‑2, TGF‑β1/2, MMP‑9 and BDNF in a rat model.

Curcumin is a natural product with antimutagenic, antitumor, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. However, to the best of our knowledge, curcumin has yet to be investigated for the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration LIDD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether curcumin can alleviate LIDD through regulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2, transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1/2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑9 and brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a rat model of LIDD.

High throughput data analyses of the immune characteristics of Microtus fortis infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Microtus fortis exhibits natural resistance against Schistosoma japonicum, and the parasite cannot grow and develop in M. fortis. Extensive research has been carried out, however, the associated mechanism remains unclear.

Long short-term memory neural network for air pollutant concentration predictions: Method development and evaluation.

Air pollutant concentration forecasting is an effective method of protecting public health by providing an early warning against harmful air pollutants. However, existing methods of air pollutant concentration prediction fail to effectively model long-term dependencies, and most neglect spatial correlations. In this paper, a novel long short-term memory neural network extended (LSTME) model that inherently considers spatiotemporal correlations is proposed for air pollutant concentration prediction.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-transduced natural killer cells in tumor immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are potential effector cells in cell-based cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the control of hematological malignancies. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is an artificially modified fusion protein that consists of an extracellular antigen recognition domain fused to an intracellular signaling domain. T cells genetically modified with a CAR have demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of hematological cancers.

Hypophosphite/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Hybrids: Preparation and Flame-Retardant Application in Thermoplastic Polyurethane.

A series of aluminum hypophosphite (AHPi)/graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) (designated as CAHPi) hybrids were prepared, followed by incorporation into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The introduction of CAHPi hybrids into TPU led to a marked reduction in the peak of the heat release rate (pHRR), total heat release, weight loss rate, smoke production rate and total smoke production (TSP). For instance, pHRR and TSP decreased by 40% and 50% for TPU/CAHPi20.

Autophagy regulates accumulation and functional activity of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells via STAT3 signaling in endotoxin shock.

Autophagy extensively participates in immune responses and inflammatory diseases. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are derived from CD11bGr1 cells under pathological conditions and play an immunosuppressive role in the pathogenesis of cancer and inflammatory diseases. However, the role of autophagy in regulating the accumulation and activity of MDSCs remains unknown.

Hierarchical Polyphosphazene@Molybdenum Disulfide Hybrid Structure for Enhancing the Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Property of Epoxy Resins.

A novel polyphosphazene (PZS) microsphere@molybdenum disulfide nanoflower (MoS) hierarchical hybrid architecture was first synthesized and applied for enhancing the mechanical performance and flame retardancy of epoxy (EP) resin via a cooperative effect. Herein, using PZS microsphere as the template, a layer of MoS nanoflowers were anchored to PZS spheres via a hydrothermal strategy. The well-designed PZS@MoS exhibits excellent fire retardancy and a reinforcing effect.

Self-assembly of zinc hydroxystannate on amorphous hydrous TiO solid sphere for enhancing fire safety of epoxy resin.

Zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) was fabricated on the surface of amorphous hydrous TiO solid spheres (AHTSS) via a layer-by-layer method for improving the fire safety of epoxy resin. AHTSS@PEI@ZHS was prepared by self-assembly of AHTSS, PEI and ZHS. The well-organized fabrication process was proved by TEM, XPS, XRD and SEM tests.

Discovery of Potent Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme UbcH5c from α-Santonin Derivatives.

As a therapeutic target for antitumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α interventions, UbcH5c is one of the key ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes catalyzing ubiquitination during TNF-α-triggered nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. In the present study, three series of analogues were designed and synthesized from α-santonin, and their UbcH5c inhibitory activities were screened by Western blotting and NF-κB luciferase assay. Further BIAcore, in-gel fluorescence imaging, and immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that compound 6d exhibited robust and specific inhibition of UbcH5c, exceeding that of the positive compound 1 (IJ-5).

Novel Melamine/o-Phthalaldehyde Covalent Organic Frameworks Nanosheets: Enhancement Flame Retardant and Mechanical Performances of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) nanosheets prepared from condensation reaction between melamine and o-phthalaldehyde are first prepared through ball milling and then incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) by solution mixing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer are applied to characterize COFs nanosheets. It is observed apparently from TEM image that COFs nanosheets are obtained.

Toward Fast and Accurate Binding Affinity Prediction with pmemdGTI: An Efficient Implementation of GPU-Accelerated Thermodynamic Integration.

We report the implementation of the thermodynamic integration method on the pmemd module of the AMBER 16 package on GPUs (pmemdGTI). The pmemdGTI code typically delivers over 2 orders of magnitude of speed-up relative to a single CPU core for the calculation of ligand-protein binding affinities with no statistically significant numerical differences and thus provides a powerful new tool for drug discovery applications.

Constructing 3D Polyphosphazene Nanotube@Mesoporous Silica@Bimetallic Phosphide Ternary Nanostructures via Layer-by-Layer Method: Synthesis and Applications.

A novel ternary nanostructure polyphosphazene nanotube (PZS)@ mesoporous silica (M-SiO)@bimetallic phosphide (CoCuP) was facilely fabricated, using PZS as the template, where large amount of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide molecules were anchored to PZS via a similar layer-by-layer assembly strategy, and then uniform M-SiO shells can be formed successfully by Hyeon's coating method. Subsequently, the three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure on the basis of bimetallic phosphide (CoCuP) interconnected with PZS@M-SiO was synthesized via a convenient, mild hydrothermal route. It is noted that incorporating well-designed PZS@M-SiO@CoCuP led to significant decrease on fire hazard of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), that is, 58.

Influences of metal ions crosslinked alginate based coatings on thermal stability and fire resistance of cotton fabrics.

Bio-based and phosphorus-free coating was fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly method to obtain the flame retardant cotton fabric. For the first time, the modified cotton fabrics were prepared by utilizing positively charged polyethylenimine and negatively charged alginate together with subsequent crosslinking of barium, nickel and cobalt ions. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray demonstrated that the metal ions crosslinked coating was successfully constructed on the substrate.

Intermittent Fasting Pretreatment Prevents Cognitive Impairment in a Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion.

Whether intermittent fasting (IF) pretreatment can prevent vascular cognitive dysfunction remains unknown to our knowledge. We investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of IF pretreatment on cognitive dysfunction in a permanent 2-vessel occlusion (2VO) vascular dementia rat model. Male Wistar rats weighing 200 g were subjected to either IF or ad libitum feeding for 12 wk before 2VO surgery.

Recruitment of Neutrophils Mediated by Vγ2 γδ T Cells Deteriorates Liver Fibrosis Induced by Schistosoma japonicum Infection in C57BL/6 Mice.

Conventional adaptive T cell responses contribute to the pathogenesis of infection, leading to liver fibrosis. However, the role of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells in this disease is less clear. γδ T cells are known to secrete interleukin-17 (IL-17) in response to infection, exerting either protective or pathogenic functions.