Examining the reactivity of oxygen-bridged intramolecular group 13 element/phosphorus and boron/group 15 element frustrated Lewis pairs in 1,2-addition reactions with CS.

The 1,2-addition reactions involving CS and oxygen-bridged intramolecular G13/P-based (G13 = group 13 element) and B/G15-based (G15 = group 15 element) frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been theoretically analyzed through density functional theory (DFT). Our DFT calculations suggest that of the nine FLP-assisted compounds, only B/P-Rea, Al/P-Rea, Ga/P-Rea, and In/P-Rea can kinetically and thermodynamically initiate energetically favorable 1,2-addition reactions with CS, forming five-membered heterocyclic adducts. Our findings from the activation strain model suggest that the atomic radius of the Lewis acceptor (G13) and donor (G15) is critical in setting the barrier heights needed for optimal orbital interactions between G13/P-Rea, B/G15-Rea, and CS.

Comparative genomic analysis uncovered phylogenetic diversity, evolution of virulence factors, and horizontal gene transfer events in tomato bacterial spot .

Introduction: Bacterial spot, caused by diverse xanthomonads classified into four lineages within three species, poses a significant threat to global pepper and tomato production. In Taiwan, tomato bacterial spot xanthomonads phylogenetically related to an atypical pv. () strain NI1 from Nigeria were found.

A new species of (, ) from Taiwan.

sp. nov. is described from decaying wood submerged in a freshwater stream in Taiwan.

REDalign: accurate RNA structural alignment using residual encoder-decoder network.

Background: RNA secondary structural alignment serves as a foundational procedure in identifying conserved structural motifs among RNA sequences, crucially advancing our understanding of novel RNAs via comparative genomic analysis. While various computational strategies for RNA structural alignment exist, they often come with high computational complexity. Specifically, when addressing a set of RNAs with unknown structures, the task of simultaneously predicting their consensus secondary structure and determining the optimal sequence alignment requires an overwhelming computational effort of for each RNA pair.

Very Low-Intensity Ultrasound Facilitates Glymphatic Influx and Clearance via Modulation of the TRPV4-AQP4 Pathway.

Recently, the glymphatic system has been proposed as a mechanism for waste clearance from the brain parenchyma. Glymphatic dysfunction has previously been shown to be associated with several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. As such, it may serve as an important target for therapeutic interventions.

Aromatic residues in the oligonucleotide binding domain are essential to the function of the single-stranded DNA binding protein of Helicobacter pylori.

Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) is essential to DNA replication, DNA repair, and homologous genetic recombination. Our previous study on the crystal structure of a C-terminally truncated SSB from Helicobacter pylori, HpSSBc, in complex with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) suggests that several aromatic residues, including Phe37, Phe50, Phe56, and Trp84, were involved in ssDNA binding. To investigate the importance of these aromatic residues, the binding activity of four site-directed HpSSB mutants, including F37A HpSSB, F50A HpSSB, F56A HpSSB, and W84A HpSSB, was compared to that of wild-type HpSSB and HpSSBc by means of electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA), tryptophan quenching fluorescence titration, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

Telmisartan potentiates the ITE-induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity in human liver cell line.

Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the US for the treatment of hypertension. It possesses unique pharmacologic properties, including the longest half-life among all ARBs; this leads to a 24-h sustained reduction of blood pressure. Besides well-known antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects, there is also strong clinical evidence that telmisartan confers renoprotection.

Virus-like Particles-Based Vaccine to Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are regarded as gradual, incurable conditions with an insidious onset. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are two of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases reported globally. Developing effective treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases has remained a primary objective and a huge challenge for researchers.

Variation in the Local Grey Mullet Populations () on the Western Pacific Fringe.

: Understanding population genetic structures is crucial for planning and implementing conservation programmes to preserve species' adaptive and evolutionary potential and thus ensure their long-term persistence. The grey mullet () is a globally distributed coastal fish. Its populations in waters surrounding Taiwan on the western Pacific fringe are divided into at least two stocks (migratory and residential), but questions remain regarding their genetic divergence and gene flow.

Amphiregulin Upregulation in Visfatin-Stimulated Colorectal Cancer Cells Reduces Sensitivity to 5-Fluororacil Cytotoxicity.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a prevalent and deadly malignancy over the years. Drug resistance remains a major challenge in CRC treatment, significantly affecting patient survival rates. Obesity is a key risk factor for CRC development, and accumulating evidence indicates that increased secretion of adipokines, including Visfatin, under obese conditions contributes to the development of resistance in CRC to various therapeutic methods.

Both GacS-regulated lipopeptides and the type three secretion system contribute to Pseudomonas cichorii induced necrosis in lettuce and chicory.

Pseudomonas cichorii SF1-54, the causal agent of lettuce midrib rot disease, produces lipopeptides cichofactins and cichopeptins which are important virulence factors. The GacS/GacA two-component system is well known to regulate production of lipopeptides in pseudomonads. Additionally, the functions of the type three secretion system (T3SS) in P.

CU33 Fermented Feather-Soybean Meal Product Improves the Crude Protein Digestibility, Diarrhea Status, and Growth Performance of Goat Kids.

This study investigates the effects of replacing fish meal with fermented feather meal-soybean meal product (FFSMP) from CU33 in the starter on growth performance, relative health performance, and digestibility of Alpine goat kids. In trial 1, thirty-two Alpine goat kids (male) were randomly assigned to dietary supplementation of 2% feather meal-soybean meal mix (FSM), 2% fish meal, or replacing fish meal with 50% or 100% FFSMP (FFSMP-50 or FFSMP-100) in starter (n = 8). In trial 2, sixteen goat kids were selected after trial 1 and used in this digestion trial which began from 12 weeks old.

A comparison of three evolutionary algorithms for group scheduling in theme parks with multitype facilities.

During the peak tourist season, large theme parks often experience a simultaneous influx of visitors, resulting in prolonged waiting times for popular attractions. This extended waiting significantly reduces tourists' satisfaction and may negatively impact their willingness to revisit the theme park. In Taiwan, schools at all levels often plan graduation trips to theme parks for their students.

Chitosan-glucose derivative membrane obtained by Maillard reaction improves cartilage repair in a rabbit model.

Background: Treatment of articular cartilage injury remains a challenging clinical problem in orthopedics. Chitosan-derived biomaterial could be a potential adjuvant treatment to improve cartilage repair. In the current study, we examined the effects of two potential chitosan-derived materials on cartilage regeneration of osteochondral defects in rabbits.

Immune mRNA Expression and Fecal Microbiome Composition Change Induced by Djulis ( Koidz.) Supplementation in Aged Mice: A Pilot Study.

: The aging process has always been associated with a higher susceptibility to chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the gut microbiome's influence on the lungs through cross-talk or the gut-lungs axis maintaining nutrient-rich microenvironments. Taiwan djulis ( Koidz.

Spirocyclopropanes and Substituted Furans by Controlling Reactivity of 1,3-Enynoates: γ- and δ-Addition of Phosphines to Conjugate Acceptors.

In the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction, a nucleophile undergoes β-addition to activated alkenes or alkynes, forming reactive intermediates for subsequent carbon-carbon or carbon-hetero bond formation. By using a π-conjugated acceptor, however, an unprecedented reactivity of 1,3-enynoates and indane-1,3-diones was uncovered in the presence of phosphines. When indan-1,3-diones were used, γ-addition of phosphines to 1,3-enynoates was observed for the first time; moderate to good yields were obtained for 14 substances containing the prominent spirocyclopropane scaffold with 100 % retention of (Z)-alkene.

Safety evaluation of seeds: a metabolomic profiling and network toxicology approach.

Sacha Inchi () seeds and oil have been integrated into daily diets. However, scientific reports have raised concerns regarding potential health risks associated with saponins and alkaloids in this seeds. This study employed a combination analysis using proton-NMR, GC-MS, LC-QTOF, and GNPS molecular networking to evaluate the chemical composition of these seeds.

Parecoxib Enhances Resveratrol against Human Colorectal Cancer Cells through Akt and TXNDC5 Inhibition and MAPK Regulation.

In this study, we discovered the mechanisms underlying parecoxib and resveratrol combination's anti-cancer characteristics against human colorectal cancer DLD-1 cells. We studied its anti-proliferation and apoptosis-provoking effect by utilizing cell viability 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, fluorescence microscope, gene overexpression, Western blot, and flow cytometry analyses. Parecoxib enhanced the ability of resveratrol to inhibit cell viability and increase apoptosis.

Effects of Paclobutrazol on Reproductive and Vegetative Traits of Join Grace 'TH288-4'.

Phalaenopsis is the most popular potted plant worldwide. However, its typically long stalks often lead to increased shipping costs and risks. This study investigates the effectiveness of varying the concentration, timing, and frequency of paclobutrazol (PP333) applications on shortening the stalk of Join Grace 'TH288-4'.

The Immunosuppressive Receptor CD32b Regulation of Macrophage Polarization and Its Implications in Tumor Progression.

Macrophages, pivotal components of the immune system, orchestrate host defense mechanisms in humans and mammals. Their polarization into classically activated macrophages (CAMs or M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs or M2) dictates distinct functional roles in immunity and tissue homeostasis. While the negative regulatory role of CD32b within the FC gamma receptor (FCγR) family is recognized across various immune cell types, its influence on macrophage polarization remains elusive.

Duckweed-based optical biosensor for herbicide toxicity assessment.

In response to the pervasive issue of herbicide pollution in environmental water bodies, particularly from herbicides used extensively in agriculture, traditional chemical-based water quality analysis methods have proven costly and time-consuming, often failing to meet regulatory standards. To overcome these limitations, global environmental agencies have turned to rapidly-growing species like duckweed as bioindicators for herbicide and pesticide contamination. However, conventional biological assessment methods, such as the 168-h duckweed growth inhibition test, are slow and lack real-time monitoring capabilities.