Similar effects of substance P on learning and memory function between hippocampus and striatal marginal division

Substance P is an endogenous neurokinin that is present in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The neuropeptide substance P and its high-affinity receptor neurokinin 1 receptor are known to play an important role in the central nervous system in inflammation, blood pressure, motor behavior and anxiety. The effects of substance P in the hippocampus and the marginal di- vision of the striatum on memory remain poorly understood. Compared with the hippocampus as a control, immunofluorescence showed high expression of the substance P receptor, neuro- kinin 1, in the marginal division of the striatum of normal rats. Unilateral or bilateral injection of an antisense oligonucleotide against neurokinin 1 receptor mRNA in the rat hippocampus or marginal division of the striatum effectively reduced neurokinin 1 receptor expression. Indepen- dent of injection site, rats that received this antisense oligonucleotide showed obviously increased footshock times in a Y-maze test. These results indicate that the marginal division of the striatum plays a similar function in learning and memory to the hippocampus, which is a valuable addi- tion to our mechanistic understanding of the learning and memory functions of the marginal division of the striatum.

Complex regulatory network of Betula BplSPL8 in planta

SQUAMOSA-promoter binding protein-like (SPL) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors and participate in different pathways, including the vegetative to reproductive transition, male sterility, biosynthesis of gibberellic acid (GA), plant morphogenesis and response to environmental stress. In this study, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis that overexpressed Betula BplSPL8 and confirmed that BplSPL8 is a transcription factor with transcriptional activation activity and is located in the nucleus. Functional analysis of BplSPL8 showed that it is involved in regulating different development processes: (1) BplSPL8 can delay flowering by reducing sensitivity to GA under short days; (2) BplSPL8 controls the number and morphogenesis of leaves, including up-rolling leaves under long days and folded leaves mediated by GA under short days; (3) BplSPL8 can promote root elongation during late development of roots and inhibit lateral root formation; (4) BplSPL8 may be involved in regulating carotenoid biosynthesis and secretion metabolism. These results show that there is a complex regulatory network for the SPL family genes that is mediated by other components and may provide a new insights for the functional research of SPL genes.

Investigation of dementia awareness among stroke patients in China:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To provide guidelines for the prevention of post-stroke dementia,we investigated whether stroke patients were aware of post-stroke dementia and their level of dementia-related knowledge.Methods:Five dementia-related questions were designed.A field survey was conducted in a questionand-answer method using the designed questions.The surveys assessed 3000 stroke patients(2 weekse6 months after stroke attacks)from 14 hospitals/clinical centers in 7 provinces and cities across China.Results:Among 3000 stroke patients,80.5%had heard of dementia,39.1%knew that stroke can lead to dementia,55.7%believed dementia can be prevented,50.8%thought dementia can be cured,and only 8.8%had ever seen a doctor because of memory deterioration.Then,patients were classified into three groups,including a no cognitive impairment(NCI)group,a mild cognitive impairment(MCI)group,and a mild dementia(MD)group.Among the MCI and MD groups,only 8.7%(75/861)and 9.9%(64/649)of patients,respectively,had ever seen a doctor because of memory deterioration.According to our results,patients with a higher level of cognitive impairment had a lower awareness of dementia(P<.001).Conclusion:The awareness of dementia in stroke patients in China is low,and the consultation rate is even lower.Moreover,patients with a higher level of cognitive impairment have a lower awareness of dementia.To improve public awareness and improve prevention,more emphasis should be put on education regarding post-stroke dementia.Routine cognitive function screening should be conducted on stroke patients as an effective way to assess dementia.

Analysis of Production and Sales Situation of Sisal Fiber and Its Products in China

Based on results of previous studies,through investigations,the status quo,main advantages and disadvantages of using small hand-power scutchers and large-scale automatic sisal production lines to process sisal fiber were summarized and analyzed; the traditional uses and latest products of sisal fiber were studied,especially the comprehensive utilization of byproducts produced during sisal fiber processing as well as the broad prospects of new sisal products.

A Pharmacological Study on Action Mechanism of Zhizi Ganjiang Decoction from Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases in Treating Sleep Disorders

[Objectives]To explore the molecular mechanism of Zhizi Ganjiang Decoction(ZZGJD)regulating sleep disorders based on the network pharmacology.[Methods]The BATMAN-TCM server was used to predict the potential targets of ZZGJD and constructed a compound-disease-target network map,and the GeneCards database was used to search for insomnia-related targets;with the aid of Cytoscape 3.5.1 software,the compound-insomnia target interaction network and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network were constructed,and gene ontology(GO)enrichment,Reactome pathway enrichment,and biological pathway enrichment analysis based on KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Enomes)was performed.[Results]The constructed PPI network of ZZGJD involves 204 nodes and 645 interaction relationships.Key nodes involve G protein-coupled receptors,rhodopsin-like adrenaline receptor families,zinc finger proteins,nuclear hormone receptor superfamilies,ligand-binding domains of hormone receptors,voltage-gated calcium(Ca^(2+))channel IQ domains,and neuropituitary hormones.The related entries of GO enrichment analysis pathway mainly involve G protein-coupled receptor activity,neurotransmitter receptor activity,adrenergic receptor activity,ammonium ion binding,catecholamine binding,G protein-coupled serotonin receptor activity,serotonin receptor activity,and steroid hormone receptors(SHRs)activity.Reactome pathway mainly involves amine ligand binding receptors,rhodopsin-like receptors,G protein-coupled receptor ligand binding,adrenergic receptors,neuronal systems and signal transduction,etc.KEGG channel analysis mainly involves neural activity ligand-receptor interaction,calcium ion messenger pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,serotonergic synapse,dopaminergic synapse,cGMP-PKG signaling pathway,and cholinergic synapse pathway,etc.[Conclusions]The potential targets of ZZGJD in the treatment of insomnia mainly involve G protein-coupled receptors,and regulate various neural receptor pathways such as calcium ion channels,serotonin,dopamine,and adrenergic receptors.INS,IGF-1,CTNNB1,ESR1,HIF-1A,etc.may be the key targets of ZZGJD in regulating sleep disorders,reflecting the multi-target and overall function characteristics of Chinese herbal compounds.ZZGJD is of great significance in the treatment of sleep disorders caused by blood sugar abnormality in patients with diabetes and perimenopausal hormones in women.This article is expected to It provide new ideas for in-depth study of the molecular mechanism of ZZGJD.

Grain-interior planar defects induced by heteroatom monolayer

A new type of grain-interior planar defect in a ceramic phase in TiC doped cemented tungsten carbides was discovered.It is unique in that the monolayers of metal atoms exist stably in ceramic grains.The planar defects were induced by the ordered heteroatoms distributing on certain crystal planes of the matrix,which are distinct from the known planar defects such as phase-,grain-,and twin-boundaries,stacking faults,and complexions.Detailed characterization on the atomic scale was performed for the composition,structure,and crystallography of the planar defects,and their energy state and stability were evaluated by modeling.It was found that the Ti monolayer assists nucleation of the new WC crystal along the normal direction to its basal plane.Due to the disturbance of the heteroatom layer,the deposition of W and C atoms deviates from the regular sites occupied in the perfect crystal lattice,resulting in variations of the W–C arrangement in the grain structure.Experiments confirmed that tailoring the distribution density of the planar defects could give the best comprehensive mechanical performance with simultaneously outstanding strength and fracture toughness in the materials containing the grain-interior planar defects.This study provides a new strategy to greatly enhance the mechanical properties of materials by introducing and tailoring planar defects in the grain interiors.

高绩效期望下的两种选择:反馈寻求还是反馈规避?

本研究基于资源保存理论,探究了领导高绩效期望对员工反馈寻求行为和反馈规避行为的影响,并考察了工作旺盛感和工作倦怠感的中介作用,以及团队授权的调节作用。本研究对两阶段389份企业员工有效样本进行分析,结果表明:在团队授权水平较高的情况下,员工更容易将领导高绩效期望视为资源获取的途径,此时员工工作旺盛感更强,进而表现为反馈寻求行为;而在团队授权水平较低的情况下,领导高绩效期望更容易引发员工的工作倦怠感,进而导致反馈规避行为。本研究不仅提供了新的视角来解释领导高绩效期望与员工行为之间的关系,也为管理者如何更有效地对员工表达高绩效期望提供了实践指导。

Distinct roles of H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 in vernalization response,maintenance,and resetting in winter wheat

Winter plants rely on vernalization,a crucial process for adapting to cold conditions and ensuring successful reproduction.However,understanding the role of histone modifications in guiding the vernalization process in winter wheat remains limited.In this study,we investigated the transcriptome and chromatin dynamics in the shoot apex throughout the life cycle of winter wheat in the field.Two core histone modifications,H3K27me3 and H3K36me3,exhibited opposite patterns on the key vernalization gene VERNALIZATION1(VRN1),correlating with its induction during cold exposure.Moreover,the H3K36me3 level remained high at VRN1 after cold exposure,which may maintain its active state.Mutations in FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM(TaFIE)and SET DOMAIN GROUP 8/EARLY FLOWERING IN SHORT DAYS(TaSDG8/TaEFS),components of the writer complex for H3K27me3 and H3K36me3,respectively,affected flowering time.Intriguingly,VRN1 lost its high expression after the cold exposure memory in the absence of H3K36me3.During embryo development,VRN1 was silenced with the removal of active histone modifications in both winter and spring wheat,with selective restoration of H3K27me3 in winter wheat.The mutant of Tafie-cr-87,a component of H3K27me3“writer”complex,did not influence the silence of VRN1during embryo development,but rather attenuated the cold exposure requirement of winter wheat.Integrating gene expression with H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 patterns identified potential regulators of flowering.This study unveils distinct roles of H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 in controlling vernalization response,maintenance,and resetting in winter wheat.

An optimized high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 dual reporter trans-complementation system for antiviral screening in vitro and in vivo

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)is still epidemic around the world.The manipulation of SARS-CoV-2 is restricted to biosafety level 3 laboratories(BSL-3).In this study,we developed a SARS-CoV-2ΔN-GFP-HiBiT replicon delivery particles(RDPs)encoding a dual reporter gene,GFP-HiBiT,capable of producing both GFP signal and luciferase activities.Through optimal selection of the reporter gene,GFP-HiBiT demonstrated superior stability and convenience for antiviral evaluation.Additionally,we established a RDP infection mouse model by delivering the N gene into K18-hACE2 KI mouse through lentivirus.This mouse model supports RDP replication and can be utilized for in vivo antiviral evaluations.In summary,the RDP system serves as a valuable tool for efficient antiviral screening and studying the gene function of SARS-CoV-2.Importantly,this system can be manipulated in BSL-2 laboratories,decreasing the threshold of experimental requirements.

Structural and functional insights into the 20-O-methyltransferase of SARS-CoV-2

A unique feature of coronaviruses is their utilization of self-encoded nonstructural protein 16(nsp16),20-Omethyltransferase(20-O-MTase),to cap their RNAs through ribose 20-O-methylation modification.This process is crucial for maintaining viral genome stability,facilitating efficient translation,and enabling immune escape.Despite considerable advances in the ultrastructure of SARS-CoV-2 nsp16/nsp10,insights into its molecular mechanism have so far been limited.In this study,we systematically characterized the 20-O-MTase activity of nsp16 in SARS-CoV-2,focusing on its dependence on nsp10 stimulation.We observed cross-reactivity between nsp16 and nsp10 in various coronaviruses due to a conserved interaction interface.However,a single residue substitution(K58T)in SARS-CoV-2 nsp10 restricted the functional activation of MERS-CoV nsp16.Furthermore,the cofactor nsp10 effectively enhanced the binding of nsp16 to the substrate RNA and the methyl donor Sadenosyl-L-methionine(SAM).Mechanistically,His-80,Lys-93,and Gly-94 of nsp10 interacted with Asp-102,Ser-105,and Asp-106 of nsp16,respectively,thereby effectively stabilizing the SAM binding pocket.Lys-43 of nsp10 interacted with Lys-38 and Gly-39 of nsp16 to dynamically regulate the RNA binding pocket and facilitate precise binding of RNA to the nsp16/nsp10 complex.By assessing the conformational epitopes of nsp16/nsp10 complex,we further determined the critical residues involved in 20-O-MTase activity.Additionally,we utilized an in vitro biochemical platform to screen potential inhibitors targeting 20-O-MTase activity.Overall,our results significantly enhance the understanding of viral 20-O methylation process and mechanism,providing valuable targets for antiviral drug development.

Hierarchical learning of gastric cancer molecular subtypes by integrating multi-modal DNA-level omics data and clinical stratification

Molecular subtyping of gastric cancer(GC)aims to comprehend its genetic landscape.However,the efficacy of current subtyping methods is hampered by their mixed use of molecular features,a lack of strategy optimization,and the limited availability of public GC datasets.There is a pressing need for a precise and easily adoptable subtyping approach for early DNA-based screening and treatment.Based on TCGA subtypes,we developed a novel DNA-based hierarchical classifier for gastric cancer molecular subtyping(HCG),which employs gene mutations,copy number aberrations,and methylation patterns as predictors.By incorporating the closely related esophageal adenocarcinomas dataset,we expanded the TCGA GC dataset for the training and testing of HCG(n=453).The optimization of HCG was achieved through three hierarchical strategies using Lasso-Logistic regression,evaluated by their overall the area under receiver operating characteristic curve(auROC),accuracy,F1 score,the area under precision-recall curve(auPRC)and their capability for clinical stratification using multivariate survival analysis.Subtype-specific DNA alteration biomarkers were discerned through difference tests based on HCG defined subtypes.Our HCG classifier demonstrated superior performance in terms of overall auROC(0.95),accuracy(0.88),F1 score(0.87)and auPRC(0.86),significantly improving the clinical stratification of patients(overall p-value=0.032).Difference tests identified 25 subtype-specific DNA alterations,including a high mutation rate in the SYNE1,ITGB4,and COL22A1 genes for the MSI subtype,and hypermethylation of ALS2CL,KIAA0406,and RPRD1B genes for the EBV subtype.HCG is an accurate and robust classifier for DNA-based GC molecular subtyping with highly predictive clinical stratification performance.The training and test datasets,along with the analysis programs of HCG,are accessible on the GitHub website(github.com/LabxSCUT).

Efficiency-first spraying mission arrangement optimization with multiple UAVs in heterogeneous farmland with varying pesticide requirements

Combining multiple crop protection Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)as a team for a scheduled spraying mission over farmland now is a common way to significantly increase efficiency.However,given some issues such as different configurations,irregular borders,and especially varying pesticide requirements,it is more important and more complex than other multi-Agent Systems(MASs)in common use.In this work,we focus on the mission arrangement of UAVs,which is the foundation of other high-level cooperations,systematically propose Efficiency-first Spraying Mission Arrangement Problem(ESMAP),and try to construct a united problem framework for the mission arrangement of crop protection UAVs.Besides,to characterise the differences in sub-areas,the varying pesticide requirement per unit is well considered based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI).Firstly,the mathematical model of multiple crop-protection UAVs is established and ESMAP is defined.Furthermore,an acquisition method of a farmland’s NDVI map is proposed,and the calculation method of pesticide volume based on NDVI is discussed.Secondly,an improved Genetic Algorithm(GA)is proposed to solve ESMAP,and a comparable combination algorithm is introduced.Numerical simulations for algorithm analysis are carried out within MATLAB,and it is determined that the proposed GA is more efficient and accurate than the latter.Finally,a mission arrangement tested with three UAVs was carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed GA in spraying operation.Test results illustrated that it performed well,which took only 90.6%of the operation time taken by the combination algorithm.

工作价值观对员工跨界行为的影响机制:调节焦点与内部动机的作用

在当前不断变化的工作环境之下,员工需要超越自己的工作角色去完成相应的工作任务,表现出跨界行为。现有研究对员工跨界行为的前因探讨较少且主要集中在个人因素以及情境因素等方面,我们认为员工的工作价值观对员工的跨界行为有重要影响,但现有研究较少涉及。因此,本研究基于自我验证理论,建立了工作价值观对员工跨界行为影响机制的理论模型。通过对432份数据的分析和处理,结果表明:三类工作价值观都对员工跨界行为有显著正向影响;调节焦点在三类工作价值观和员工跨界行为之间起到中介作用;内部动机在地位与独立、舒适与安全工作价值观与调节焦点之间起到调节作用。本研究探讨了工作价值观对员工跨界行为的积极影响,拓展了研究员工跨界行为的视角,揭示了跨界选择策略的双中介作用机制,发现了内部动机是工作价值观影响员工跨界行为的边界条件。这有助于管理者了解工作价值观与员工跨界行为之间的具体关系,为管理者有效管理员工跨界行为、提升员工的跨界水平具有一定参考。

Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses uncover the molecular basis of high nitrogen-use efficiency in the wheat cultivar Kenong 9204

Studying the regulatory mechanisms that drive nitrogen-use efficiency(NUE)in crops is important for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.In this study,we generated a high-quality genome assembly for the high-NUE wheat cultivar Kenong 9204 and systematically analyzed genes related to nitrogen uptake and metabolism.By comparative analyses,we found that the high-affinity nitrate transporter gene family had expanded in Triticeae.Further studies showed that subsequent functional differentiation endowed the expanded family members with saline inducibility,providing a genetic basis for improving the adaptability of wheat to nitrogen deficiency in various habitats.To explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms of high NUE,we compared genomic and transcriptomic data from the high-NUE cultivar Kenong 9204(KN9204)and the low-NUE cultivar Jing 411 and quantified their nitrogen accumulation under high-and low-nitrogen conditions.Compared with Jing 411,KN9204 absorbed significantly more nitrogen at the reproductive stage after shooting and accumulated it in the shoots and seeds.Transcriptome data analysis revealed that nitrogen deficiency clearly suppressed the expression of genes related to cell division in the young spike of Jing 411,whereas this suppression of gene expression was much lower in KN9204.In addition,KN9204 maintained relatively high expression of NPF genes for a longer time than Jing 411 during seed maturity.Physiological and transcriptome data revealed that KN9204 was more tolerant of nitrogen deficiency than Jing 411,especially at the reproductive stage.The high NUE of KN9204 is an integrated effect controlled at different levels.Taken together,our data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of NUE and important gene resources for improving wheat cultivars with a higher NUE trait.

Grain size effect on wear resistance of WC-Co cemented carbides under different tribological conditions

The grain-size dependence of wear resistance of WC-Co cemented carbides(with mean WC grain sizes of 2.2μm,1.6μm,0.8μm and 0.4μm,respectively)was investigated under different tribological conditions.The results showed that the grain size had opposite effects on wear resistance of the cemented carbides in dry sliding wear and microabrasion tests.In the former condition,with decrease of WC grain size hence the increase of hardness,plastic deformation,fracture,fragmentation and oxidation were all mitigated,leading to a drastic decrease in the wear rate.In the latter condition,pull-out of WC grains after Co removal dominated the wear,so that the hardness of cemented carbide was not a core factor.As a result,the wear resistance of the cemented carbide generally showed a decreasing trend with decrease of the grain size,except for a slight increase in the ultrafine-grained cemented carbide.Single-pass scratching of the cemented carbides under various loads indicated the same failure mechanism as that in the sliding wear tests.Furthermore,the reasons for severe surface oxidation of the coarse-grained cemented carbides were disclosed.

The Glutamatergic Postrhinal Cortex–Ventrolateral Orbitofrontal Cortex Pathway Regulates Spatial Memory Retrieval

A deficit in spatial memory has been taken as an early predictor of Alzheimer’s disease(AD) or mild cognitive impairment(MCI). The uncinate fasciculus(UF) is a long-range white-matter tract that connects the anterior temporal lobe with the orbitofrontal cortex(OFC)in primates. Previous studies have shown that the UF impairment associated with spatial memory deficits may be an important pathological change in aging and AD, but its exact role in spatial memory is not well understood. The pathway arising from the postrhinal cortex(POR) and projecting to the ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex(vlOFC)performs most of the functions of the UF in rodents.Although the literature suggests an association between spatial memory and the regions connected by the POR–vlOFC pathway, the function of the pathway in spatialmemory is relatively unknown. To further illuminate the function of the UF in spatial memory, we dissected the POR–vlOFC pathway in mice. We determined that the POR–vlOFC pathway is a glutamatergic structure, and that glutamatergic neurons in the POR regulate spatial memory retrieval. We also demonstrated that the POR–vlOFC pathway specifically transmits spatial information to participate in memory retrieval. These findings provide a deeper understanding of UF function and dysfunction related to disorders of memory, as in MCI and AD.

Effect of Carbon Addition on Microstructure and Properties of WC-Co Cemented Carbides

Based on a unique method to synthesize WC-Co composite powder by in-situ reactions of metal oxides and carbon, the effects of the carbon addition in the initial powders on the phase constitution, microstructure and mechanical properties of the cemented carbides were investigated. It is found that with a suitable carbon addition the pure phase constitution can be obtained in the sintered bulk from the composite powder. The mechanical properties of the cemented carbides depend on the phase constitution and the WC grain structure. To obtain the excellent properties of the WC-Co bulk, it is important to obtain the pure phase constitution from the appropriate carbon addition in the initial powders and a suitable grain size.

T cell-depleting nanoparticles ameliorate bone loss by reducing activated T cells and regulating the Treg/Th17 balance

Estrogen deficiency is one of the most frequent causes of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Under chronic inflammatory conditions caused by estrogen deficiency,activated T cells contribute to elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines,impaired osteogenic differentiation capabilities of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs),and disturbed regulatory T cell(Treg)/Th17 cell balance.However,therapeutic strategies that re-establish immune homeostasis in this disorder have not been well developed.Here,we produced T cell-depleting nanoparticles(TDNs)that ameliorated the osteopenia phenotype and rescued the osteogenic deficiency of BMMSCs in ovariectomized(OVX)mice.TDNs consist of monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)-encapsulated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as the core and Fas-ligand(FasL)as the corona.We showed that the delicate design of the TDNs enables rapid release of MCP-1 to recruit activated T cells and then induces their apoptosis through the conjugated FasL both in vitro and in vivo.Apoptotic signals recognized by macrophages help skew the Treg/Th17 cell balance and create an immune tolerant state,further attenuating the osteogenic deficiency of BMMSCs and the osteopenia phenotype.Mechanistically,we found that the therapeutic effects of TDNs were partially mediated by apoptotic T cell-derived extracellular vesicles(ApoEVs),which promoted macrophage transformation towards the M2 phenotype.These findings demonstrate that TDNs may represent a promising strategy for treating osteoporosis and other immune disorders.

Rice metabolic regulatory network spanning the entire life cycle

As one of the most important crops in the world,rice(Oryza sativa)is a model plant for metabolome research.Although many studies have focused on the analysis of specific tissues,the changes in metab-olite abundance across the entire life cycle have not yet been determined.In this study,combining both tar-geted and nontargeted metabolite profiling methods,a total of 825 annotated metabolites were quantified in rice samples from different tissues covering the entire life cycle.The contents of metabolites in different tissues of rice were significantly different,with various metabolites accumulating in the plumule and radicle during seed germination.Combining these data with transcriptome data obtained from the same time period,we constructed the Rice Metabolic Regulation Network.The metabolites and co-expressed genes were further divided into 12 clusters according to their accumulation patterns,with members within each cluster displaying a uniform and clear pattern of abundance across development.Using this dataset,we established a comprehensive metabolic profile of the rice life cycle and used two independent strategies to identify novel transcription factors-namely the use of known regulatory genes as bait to screen for new networks underlying lignin metabolism and the unbiased identification of new glycerophospholipid metabolism regulators on the basis of tissue specificity.This study thus demonstrates how guilt-by-association analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data spanning the entire life cycle in cereal crops provides novel resources and tools to aid in understanding the mechanisms underlying important agro-nomic traits.