Integrative transcriptome, proteome, and microRNA analysis reveals the effects of nitrogen sufficiency and deficiency conditions on theanine metabolism in the tea plant ().

Nitrogen (N) is associated with amino acid metabolism in higher plants. Theanine is an important amino acid in tea plants. To explore the relationship between theanine metabolism and N conditions, we examined the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), proteins (DEPs), and microRNAs (DEMs) involved in theanine metabolism in tea plant shoots and roots under N sufficiency and deficiency conditions.

Aquafoldmer-Based Aquaporin-like Synthetic Water Channel.

Synthetic water channels were developed with an aim to replace aquaporins for possible uses in water purification, while concurrently retaining aquaporins' ability to conduct highly selective superfast water transport. Among the currently available synthetic water channel systems, none possesses water transport properties that parallel those of aquaporins. In this report, we present the first synthetic water channel system with intriguing aquaproin-like features.

A higher body mass index in Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia is associated with elevated plasma orexin-A levels and fewer negative symptoms.

Orexin-A is involved in numerous physiological functions, such as feeding behavior and energy balance. Yet, the associations among the orexin system, weight changes and the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia patients remain uncertain, especially in inpatients with chronic schizophrenia (CS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the orexin-A levels, body mass index (BMI) and clinical symptoms of CS inpatients.

Tectorigenin inhibits inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in allergic asthma model of ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tectorigenin on treating allergic asthma model of guinea pigs and investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Allergic asthma model of guinea pigs was established by sensitizing with ovalbumin (OVA). Then OVA-sensitized guinea pigs were injected with 10 mg/kg tectorigenin, 25 mg/kg tectorigenin or dexamethasone to investigate the effect of tectorigenin.

Prenatal Maternal Low Selenium, High Thyrotropin, and Low Birth Weights.

In consideration of the potential roles of selenoproteins in thyroid function, we aimed to evaluate the association of low selenium status with hypothyroidism during pregnancy and the association of maternal low thyroid function with infant birth size. We conducted a prospective birth cohort study in Shanghai in 2010 and investigated 1931 pregnant mothers of gestational weeks 28-36. Maternal serum selenium and thyrotropin (TSH) levels were determined and birth weights and lengths of newborns were measured.

Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus serum antibodies define the viral status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a low endemic country.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic regions, where almost every tumor is EBV-positive. In Western populations, NPC is rare, and human papillomavirus infection (HPV) has been suggested as another viral cause. We validated multiplex serology with molecular tumor markers, to define EBV-positive, HPV-positive and EBV-/HPV-negative NPCs in the United Kingdom, and analyzed survival differences between those groups.

A smartphone-based dual detection mode device integrated with two lateral flow immunoassays for multiplex mycotoxins in cereals.

In this study, a smartphone-based quantitative dual detection mode device, integrated with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and time-resolved fluorescence microspheres (TRFMs) lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) for multiplex mycotoxins in cereals were established. The most frequently used visible light and fluorescence detection modes were integrated in one device. A user-friendly application was self-written to rapidly quantify results.

Intraoperative cell salvage is associated with reduced allogeneic blood requirements and has no significant impairment on coagulation function in patients undergoing cesarean delivery: a retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the association between Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS), allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and coagulation function in obstetrics.

Methods: A total of 486 pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery, of whom 157 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into ICS group (n = 101, ICS used during operation) and control group (n = 56, ICS not used during operation).

Gut microbiota and Chinese medicine syndrome: altered fecal microbiotas in spleen (Pi)-deficient patients.

Objective: To investigate the fecal microbiota changes in patients with spleen (Pi)-deficiency (SPD), a common Chinese medicine syndrome with digestive and absorptive disturbances and to provide insight into the relationship between Chinese medicine syndrome and gut dysbiosis.

Methods: Fecal microbiotas from the stool samples of 53 SPD patients and 35 healthy subjects were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). SPD-related marker genes from 20 SPD patients and 20 healthy subjects were identified through gene sequencing, while some genes were quantified using quantitative PCR (qPCR).

[Expression of HIF-1α in the prostatic tissue of mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity].

Objective: To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the prostatic tissue of mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity and to explore the effect of hypoxia on BPH in obese male mice.

Methods: We randomly divided 20 C57BL/6J male mice into two groups of equal number and fed them on a high-fat diet (HFD group) or a normal diet (control group) for 17 weeks. Then, we measured the body weight, prostate weight, prostate volume and levels of serum triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and free fatty acids (FFA) by ELISA, observed the morphology of the prostate by HE staining, calculated the area of the prostatic glandular cavity, and determined the expression of HIF-1α in the prostatic tissue by immunohistochemistry.

Ensiling of whole-plant hybrid pennisetum with natamycin and Lactobacillus plantarum impacts on fermentation characteristics and meta-genomic microbial community at low temperature.

Background: The aim of the current research was to clarify the impacts of the ensiling of whole-plant hybrid pennisetum with natamycin and Lactobacillus plantarum on fermentation characteristics and the meta-genomic microbial community at low temperatures.

Results: During the ensiling process, lactic acid (LA) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) significantly (P < 0.05) increased and acetic acid (AA), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), ammonia total nitrogen (NH3-N), and yeast significantly (P < 0.

Effects of natamycin and on the chemical composition, microbial community, and aerobic stability of at different temperatures.

This study evaluated the effects of natamycin and on the chemical composition, microbial community, and aerobic stability of at different temperatures. Different concentrations of natamycin (0.50 g L, 1.

Phytotoxicity, Bioaccumulation, and Degradation of Nonylphenol in Different Microalgal Species without Bacterial Influences.

Nonylphenol (NP) is a contaminant that has negative impacts on aquatic organisms. To investigate its phytotoxicity, bioaccumulation, and degradation in algae without associated bacteria, six freshwater microalgae-, , , , and -in bacteria-free cultures were studied. When exposed to 0.

Output Multiformation Tracking of Networked Heterogeneous Robotic Systems via Finite-Time Hierarchical Control.

This article investigates the finite-time output multiformation tracking (OMFT) problem of networked heterogeneous robotic systems (NHRSs), where each robot model involves external disturbances, parametric uncertainties, and possible kinematic redundancy. Besides, the interactions among robotic systems are described as a directed graph with an acyclic partition. Then, several novel practical finite-time hierarchical control (FTHC) algorithms are designed.

Author Correction: Circulating Levels of Inflammatory Proteins and Survival in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Transcriptome analysis and identification of genes associated with chicken sperm storage duration.

The sperm storage tubules located in the mucosal folds of the uterovaginal junction (UVJ) are the primary site of sperm storage in chicken hens after natural mating or artificial insemination (AI). The short-term sperm storage (24 h after mating or AI) in hens was highly associated with immunity and pH-related pathway genes. However, the underlying mechanism of longer duration of sperm storage in female birds remains largely unclear.

NSD2 Promotes Renal Cancer Progression Through Stimulating Akt/Erk Signaling.

Background: Nuclear receptor suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, and trithorax (SET) domain-containing 2 (NSD2), is a well-known histone lysine methyltransferase (HMTase). The aim of this study was to investigate the biological role of NSD2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: GEO and OncoLnc databases were used to identify NSD2 expression and estimate its clinical value in ccRCC.

Two-Coordinate Copper(I)/NHC Complexes: Dual Emission Properties and Ultralong Room-Temperature Phosphorescence.

As a kind of photoluminescent material, Cu complexes have many advantages such as adjustable emission, variable structures, and low cost, attracting attention in many fields. In this work, two novel two-coordinate Cu -N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were synthesized, and they exhibit unique dual emission properties, fluorescence and phosphorescence. The crystal structure, packing mode, and photophysical properties under different conditions were systematically studied, proving the emissive mechanism to be the locally excited state of the carbazole group.

Correction: Highly efficient room-temperature phosphorescence achieved by gadolinium complexes.

Correction for 'Highly efficient room-temperature phosphorescence achieved by gadolinium complexes' by Boxun Sun et al., Dalton Trans., 2019, 48, 14958-14961.

Maternal urinary bisphenol A concentration and thyroid hormone levels of Chinese mothers and newborns by maternal body mass index.

Animal studies indicated that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy may disrupt thyroid function which is critical for fetal development. However, few epidemiological studies have examined this topic and the results were inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate whether prenatal BPA exposure is associated with thyroid hormone levels in Chinese mothers and newborns with stratification by maternal body mass index (BMI).

High-throughput discovery of genetic determinants of circadian misalignment.

Circadian systems provide a fitness advantage to organisms by allowing them to adapt to daily changes of environmental cues, such as light/dark cycles. The molecular mechanism underlying the circadian clock has been well characterized. However, how internal circadian clocks are entrained with regular daily light/dark cycles remains unclear.

Analyses of the oncogenic BRAF variant reveal a kinase-independent function of BRAF in activating MAPK signaling.

Class 3 mutations in proto-oncogene, Ser/Thr kinase (BRAF), that result in kinase-impaired or kinase-dead BRAF have the highest mutation frequency in gene in lung adenocarcinoma. Several studies have reported that kinase-dead BRAF variants amplify mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling by dimerizing with and activating WT proto-oncogene, Ser/Thr kinase (CRAF). However, the structural and functional principles underlying their activation remain elusive.