Chromosome-level genome assembly of the pine wood nematode carrier Arhopalus unicolor.

Arhopalus unicolor is a carrier of the pine wood nematode (PWN), which causes pine wilt disease, killing pine trees and causing considerable economic and environmental losses. While the A. unicolor mitochondrial genome has been published, a high-quality genome assembly and annotation of A.

Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) starch-ferulic acid complexes: Preparation, characterization, and physicochemical properties.

Polyphenols are known to interact with starch to form the V-type inclusion complex or the noninclusive complex. It is hypothesized that the addition of polyphenols could improve the properties of Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) starch, and the properties of the complexes could be regulated by controlling the additive amount of polyphenols.

Architectural planning robot driven by unsupervised learning for space optimization.

Introduction: Space optimization in architectural planning is a crucial task for maximizing functionality and improving user experience in built environments. Traditional approaches often rely on manual planning or supervised learning techniques, which can be limited by the availability of labeled data and may not adapt well to complex spatial requirements.

Methods: To address these limitations, this paper presents a novel architectural planning robot driven by unsupervised learning for automatic space optimization.

From Sea Cucumbers to Soft Robots: A Photothermal-Responsive Hydrogel Actuator with Shape Memory.

Soft robotics has undergone considerable progress driven by materials that can effectively transduce external stimuli into mechanical actuation. Here, we report the development of a photothermal-responsive hydrogel actuator with shape memory capabilities inspired by the adaptive locomotion of sea cucumbers. This actuator is based on sea cucumber peptides (SCP) and a liquid metal (LM) hydrogel network that is responsive to near-infrared (NIR) light.

The OnSPN2 from the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae is a multipurpose defense tool against proteases from different peptidase families.

Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) constitute a superfamily of proteins with functional diversity and unusual conformational flexibility. In insects, serpins act as multiple inhibitors, by forming inactive acyl-enzyme complexes, in regulating Spätzles activation, phenoloxidases (POs) activity, and other cytokines. In this study, we present the cloning and characterization of Octodonta nipae serpin2 (OnSPN2), a 415 residues protein homologous to Tenebrio molitor 42Dd-like.

Differential responses of plant and microbial respiration to extreme precipitation and drought during spring and summer in the Eurasian meadow steppe.

Increasing extreme precipitation and drought events along changes in their seasonal patterns due to climate change are expected to have profound consequences for carbon cycling. However, how these climate extremes impact ecosystem respiration (R) and whether these impacts differ between seasons remain unclear. Here, we reveal the responses of R and its components to extreme precipitation and drought in spring and summer by conducting a five-year manipulative experiment in a temperate meadow steppe.

Blending polysaccharides from three edible mushrooms represents a promising approach for augmenting their anti-oxidant and anti-fatigue activities.

It has been well documented that a number of polysaccharides with potent free-radical scavenging capability possess notable anti-fatigue activity. Interestingly, recent evidence also suggested mixed polysaccharides derived from multiple sources may yield augmented bioactivities compared to the polysaccharides from a single source. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the anti-oxidant and anti-fatigue activities of a blend of polysaccharides isolated from three mushrooms.

Relative contributions of climate and grazing to forage supply in the Yellow River source area.

Grassland ecosystems, critical for ecosystem services like forage supply, face threats from climate change and grazing pressure. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of forage supply and grazing intensity in the Yellow River Source Area (YRSA) from 2000 to 2020, focusing on the relative contributions of climate factors and grazing. Our result revealed that forage supply exhibited a southeast-to-northwest decline and increased slightly overall, with variability among grassland types.

P300/RNA polymerase II mediates induction of the teleost viral RNA sensor MDA5 through the interferon regulatory factor IRF11.

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) initiates type I interferon (IFN) production by detecting cytosolic viral RNA. Mammalian MDA5 is an IFN-inducible gene and controlled by IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF1). Teleost MDA5 also induces type I IFN production in response to viruses, yet its regulation remains largely unexplored.

Deltacoronavirus HKU11, HKU13, PDCoV (HKU15) and HKU17 spike pseudoviruses enter avian DF-1 cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis in a Rab5-, Rab7- and pH-dependent manner.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), also known as HKU15, is a swine enteropathogenic virus that is believed to have originated in birds. PDCoV belongs to the genus Deltacoronavirus (DCoV), the members of which have mostly been identified in diverse avian species. We recently reported that chicken or porcine aminopeptidase N (APN), the major cellular receptor for PDCoV, can mediate cellular entry via three pseudotyped retroviruses displaying spike proteins from three avian DCoVs (HKU11, HKU13, and HKU17).

Liquid Metal Nanobiohybrids for High-Performance Solar-Driven Methanogenesis via Multi-Interface Engineering.

Nanobiohybrids for solar-driven methanogenesis present a promising solution to the global energy crisis. However, conventional semiconductor-based nanobiohybrids face challenges such as limited tunability and poor biocompatibility, leading to undesirable spontaneous electron and proton transfer that compromise their structural stability and CH selectivity. Herein, we introduced eutectic gallium-indium alloys (EGaIn), featuring a self-limiting surface oxide layer surrounding the liquid metal core after sonication, integrated with Methanosarcina barkeri (M.

Algae-derived polysaccharides and polysaccharide-based nanoparticles: A natural frontier in breast cancer therapy.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with its progression closely tied to the tumor microenvironment. To address the limitations and adverse effects of conventional therapies, algal polysaccharides and their nanoparticle derivatives have emerged as promising and effective anti-breast cancer agents. These bioactive compounds, derived from algae, are distinguished by their natural origin, non-toxicity, and significant medical relevance.

Spatial distribution patterns, hotspots of contaminants of emerging concern and driving factors in a river network of Xizang Plateau.

This study encompasses the explication of systematic spatial distribution patterns and identification of hotspots of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) across the network of rivers, including Yarlung Tsangpo River and its tributaries in Xizang Plateau. A total of 16 CECs were detected in wide range of frequencies and concentrations ranging from below limit of detection (BLD) - 163.13 ng/L across the river network, indicating widespread spatial heterogeneity.

Natural variation in the GmVPE1 promoter contributes to phosphorus re-translocation to seeds and improves soybean yield.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential yet frequently deficient plant nutrient. Optimizing P distribution and recycling between tissues is vital for improving P utilization efficiency (PUE). Yet, the mechanisms underlying the transport and re-translocation of P within plants remain unclear.

Sequence analysis and genome organization of a new marafivirus from Leptochloa chinensis.

High-throughput sequencing was used to identify and characterize a novel marafivirus from the weed Leptochloa chinensis, which was tentatively named "Leptochloa chinensis marafivirus" (LcMV). The complete genome of the virus consists of 6,178 base pairs, and its nucleotide sequence is 73.82% identical to that of Sorghum almum marafivirus, which is a member of the genus Marafivirus within the family Tymoviridae.

Modular organization of enhancer network provides transcriptional robustness in mammalian development.

Enhancer clusters, pivotal in mammalian development and diseases, can organize as enhancer networks to control cell identity and disease genes; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. Here, we introduce eNet 2.0, a comprehensive tool for enhancer networks analysis during development and diseases based on single-cell chromatin accessibility data.

Microplastics mediates the spread of antimicrobial resistance plasmids via modulating conjugal gene expression.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and environmental degradation are existential global public health threats. Linking microplastics (MPs) and AMR is particularly concerning as MPs pollution would have significant ramifications on controlling of AMR; however, the effects of MPs on the spread and genetic mechanisms of AMR bacteria remain unclear. Herein, we performed Simonsen end-point conjugation to investigate the impact of four commonly used MPs on transfer of clinically relevant plasmids.

Tunable architecture of cobalt-nickel metal-organic framework/activated carbon composites for superior electrochemical performance in asymmetric supercapacitors.

Cobalt-nickel metal-organic framework/activated carbon (MOF/AC) composites with tunable flower-like architectures were synthesized via a straightforward hydrothermal method, utilizing activated carbon as a structural and functional modifier. This modification increased the surface area from 20.3 m/g to 164.

Fission yeast GPI inositol deacylase Bst1 regulates ER-Golgi transport and functions in late stages of cytokinesis.

The Munc13/UNC-13 family protein Ync13 is essential for septum integrity and cytokinesis in fission yeast. To further explore the mechanism of Ync13 functions, spontaneous suppressors of mutants, which can suppress the colony-formation defects and lysis phenotype of mutant cells, are isolated and characterized. One of the suppressor mutants, -, shows defects in the cytokinetic contractile ring constriction, septation, and daughter-cell separation, similar to mutant.

Adaptability Analysis of to Different Hosts and Related Salivary Genes Identification.

is a significant agricultural pest primarily affecting Solanaceae plants, resulting in substantial economic losses in agriculture. Insect saliva is an intermediary between insects and plants, playing a crucial role in modulating host adaptability and plant defense. This study analyzed the adaptive differences of on four plants using the two-sex life table method.

Prediction of Potential Risk for Ten Azole and Benzimidazole Fungicides with the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Agonistic Activity to Aquatic Ecosystems.

Azole and benzimidazole fungicides are widely used agrochemicals to prevent and treat fungal growth and are frequently detected in aquatic environments. Here, we aimed to assess the aquatic ecological risks of ten currently used azole and benzimidazole fungicides, which with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonistic activity, and their transformation products (TPs). We obtained over 400 types of aerobic TPs for ten fungicides.

Pepper-YOLO: an lightweight model for green pepper detection and picking point localization in complex environments.

In the cultivation of green chili peppers, the similarity between the fruit and background color, along with severe occlusion between fruits and leaves, significantly reduces the efficiency of harvesting robots. While increasing model depth can enhance detection accuracy, complex models are often difficult to deploy on low-cost agricultural devices. This paper presents an improved lightweight Pepper-YOLO model based on YOLOv8n-Pose, designed for simultaneous detection of green chili peppers and picking points.

Virtual screening and evaluation of bioactive peptides from as potential HMGCR inhibitors for hyperlipidemia treatment.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia remains a major disease threatening global public health. The morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases have been increasing. The inhibition of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), a key enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway, can effectively reduce cholesterol levels.

Feeding Preferences and Salivary Protein Profiles of on Species.

The invasion of the fall armyworm poses substantial threats to local agricultural safety, including the sugarcane industry. Exploring the insect-resistance mechanism is crucial for breeding resistant varieties. This study selected three representative materials from the genus─ L.

OsLOX1 positively regulates seed vigor and drought tolerance in rice.

The lipoxygenase (LOX) gene family is widely distributed in plants, and its activity is closely associated with seed viability and stress tolerance. In this study, we cloned the rice(Oryza sativa)lipoxygenase gene OsLOX1, a key participant in the 13-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway. Our primary focus was to investigate its role in mediating responses to drought stress and seed germination in rice.