Metformin alleviates spinal cord injury by inhibiting nerve cell ferroptosis through upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression

Previous studies have reported upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 in different central nervous system injury models.Heme oxygenase-1 plays a critical anti-inflammatory role and is essential for regulating cellular redox homeostasis.Metformin is a classic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes that can inhibit ferroptosis.Previous studies have shown that,when used to treat cardiovascular and digestive system diseases,metformin can also upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression.Therefore,we hypothesized that heme oxygenase-1 plays a significant role in mediating the beneficial effects of metformin on neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.To test this,we first performed a bioinformatics analysis based on the GEO database and found that heme oxygenase-1 was upregulated in the lesion of rats with spinal cord injury.Next,we confirmed this finding in a rat model of T9 spinal cord compression injury that exhibited spinal cord nerve cell ferroptosis.Continuous intraperitoneal injection of metformin for 14 days was found to both upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression and reduce neuronal ferroptosis in rats with spinal cord injury.Subsequently,we used a lentivirus vector to knock down heme oxygenase-1 expression in the spinal cord,and found that this significantly reduced the effect of metformin on ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.Taken together,these findings suggest that metformin inhibits neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury,and that this effect is partially dependent on upregulation of heme oxygenase-1.

A Novel SE-CNN Attention Architecture for sEMG-Based Hand Gesture Recognition

In this article,to reduce the complexity and improve the generalization ability of current gesture recognition systems,we propose a novel SE-CNN attention architecture for sEMG-based hand gesture recognition.The proposed algorithm introduces a temporal squeeze-and-excite block into a simple CNN architecture and then utilizes it to recalibrate the weights of the feature outputs from the convolutional layer.By enhancing important features while suppressing useless ones,the model realizes gesture recognition efficiently.The last procedure of the proposed algorithm is utilizing a simple attention mechanism to enhance the learned representations of sEMG signals to performmulti-channel sEMG-based gesture recognition tasks.To evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm,we conduct experiments involving multi-gesture datasets Ninapro DB4 and Ninapro DB5 for both inter-session validation and subject-wise cross-validation.After a series of comparisons with the previous models,the proposed algorithm effectively increases the robustness with improved gesture recognition performance and generalization ability.

Aquaporin,beyond a transporter

Aquaporins(AQPs)are one of the most ancient superfamily proteins,which are essential for maintaining the fluid homeostasis of most organisms against various environments.Here,the latest findings for function of AQPs in cell signal transduction in plants are summarized.We also put forward several issues that still need to be addressed in the future.

Influence of Bayer Red Mud on the Operational and Mechanical Characteristics of Composite Cement Mortar

The aim of this study is to enhance the value and utilization of red mud generated in the Bayer process by preparing composite cement mortars.The effects of two different types of Bayer red mud with varying physical and chemical characteristics on the fluidity,mechanical strength,mineral composition,and microstructure of the composite cement mortar were systematically evaluated.The results showed that the optimal addition of red mud A was 10 wt%,while it was 20 wt% for red mud B.The mechanical properties of the composite cement mortar met the standards for P·O42.5 cement.Furthermore,the composite mortar with the addition of red mud B showed higher flexural and compressive strengths compared to the composite mortar with red mud A.This improvement is attributed to the smaller particle size of red mud B,which filled the micro-pores and increased the compactness of the cement stone,as well as its higher content of Na_(2)O,K_(2)O,and other free alkalis,which resulted in more obvious alkali activation,accelerating the hydration of the active minerals in the slurry.

Optimal Design for an End Face Engagement Worm Gear with Multiple Worm-wheel Meshing

To solve the problem for lacking a special mechanical transmission that could provide multiple outputs with high transmission efficiency and good lubrication in the modern industrial, a novel worm gear, named end face engagement worm gear, with multiple worm-wheel meshing is proposed for the first time. The essential parameters for the worm gear are optimized to enhance lubrication and meshing properties. Moreover, analysis of variance(ANOVA) is applied to determine the optimum levels and to determine the influence of parameters. The ANOVA results show that the novel end face engagement worm gear with multiple worm wheels provides high lubrication(the lubrication angle is more than 89°) and meshing performance(the induce normal curvature is less than 0.0002 mm^(-1)). The interaction between center distance and roller slant distance most strongly influences the lubrication angle(contributed 51.6%), followed by the parameters of center distance(contributed 25.0%), roller slant distance(contributed 16.4%), tooth angle of gear, gear ratio, and roller radius. In addition, roller radius most strongly influences the induced normal curvature(contributed 39.4%), followed by roller slant distance(contributed 15.2%), tooth angle of the gear(contributed 9.0%), center distance, and gear ratio. The proposed worm gear helps to enrich the no-backlash high precision worm drive and the optimal design method can provide a useful reference on performance improvement of other worm gear.

RhMYB108,an R2R3-MYB transcription factor,is involved in ethylene-and JA-induced petal senescence in rose plants

Rose(Rosa hybrida)plants are major ornamental species worldwide,and their commercial value greatly depends on their open flowers,as both the quality of fully open petals and long vase life are important.Petal senescence can be started and accelerated by various hormone signals,and ethylene is considered an accelerator of petal senescence in rose.To date,however,the underlying mechanism of signaling crosstalk between ethylene and other hormones such as JA in petal senescence remains largely unknown.Here,we isolated RhMYB108,an R2R3-MYB transcription factor,which is highly expressed in senescing petals as well as in petals treated with exogenous ethylene and JA.Applications of exogenous ethylene and JA markedly accelerated petal senescence,while the process was delayed in response to applications of 1-MCP,an ethylene action inhibitor.In addition,silencing of RhMYB108 alter the expression of SAGs such as RhNAC029,RhNAC053,RhNAC092,RhSAG12,and RhSAG113,and finally block ethylene-and JA-induced petal senescence.Furthermore,RhMYB108 was identified to target the promoters of RhNAC053,RhNAC092,and RhSAG113.Our results reveal a model in which RhMYB108 functions as a receptor of ethylene and JA signals to modulate the onset of petal senescence by targeting and enhancing senescence-associated gene expression.

Dynamics of organizational rumor communication on connecting multi-small-world networks

We study the dynamics of an epidemic-like model for the spread of a rumor on a connecting multi-small-world-network (CM-SWN) model,which represents organizational communication in the real world.It has been shown that this model exhibits a transition between regimes of localization and propagation at a finite value of network randomness.Here,by numerical means,we perform a quantitative characterization of the evolution in the three groups under two evolution rules,namely the conformity and obeying principles.The variant of a dynamic CM-SWN,where the quenched disorder of small-world networks is replaced by randomly changing connections between individuals in a single network and stable connection by star nodes between networks,is also analysed in detail and compared with a mean-field approximation.

Dengue virus infection:A review of advances in the emerging rapid detection methods

Dengue virus infections are increasing worldwide generally and in Asia,Central and South America and Africa,particularly.It poses a serious threat to the children population.The rapid and accurate diagnostic systems are essentially required due to lack of effective vaccine against dengue virus and the progressive spread of the dengue virus infection.The recent progress in developing micro-and nano-fabrication techniques has led to low cost and scale down the biomedical point-of-care devices.Starting from the conventional and modern available methods for the diagnosis of dengue infection,this review examines several emerging rapid and point-of-care diagnostic devices that hold significant potential for the progress in smart diagnosis tools.The given review revealed that an effective vaccine is required urgently against all the dengue virus serotypes.However,the rapid detection methods of dengue virus help in early treatment and significantly reduce the dengue virus outbreak.

Dynamic Expression Analysis and Introgressive Gene Identification of Fiber Length Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines from G.hirsutum×G.barbadense

Fiber length is a critical trait that principally determines cotton spinning quality,while Upland cotton as the most widely cultivated Gossypium species around the world subjects to the relatively ordinary fiber performance.Chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs)have been introduced in cotton breeding to take full advantages of superior fiber quality and high yield from Sea Island and Upland cotton,respectively,which serve as ideal materials for elucidating the genetic mechanism of complex quantitative traits.Here,three CSSLs derived from CCRI45(G.hirsutum)×Hai1(G.barbadense),two superior(MBI7561 and MBI7747)and one(MBI7285)with ordinary fiber-quality,were subjected to transcriptome sequencing during fiber elongation together with their recurrent parent CCRI45,and 471.425 million clean reads were obtained with 91.47%average Q30 and 45.23%mean GC content.In total,5,673 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified from multi-sample comparisons,which were mainly involved in the oxidation-reduction process,protein phosphorylation,regulation of transcription,DNA template,and carbohydrate metabolic process.Eight temporal expression patterns were monitored on the DEGs of different lines,of which the significantly enriched profile revealed higher similarities between two superior CSSLs or the ordinary CSSL and CCRI45 with respect to fiber performance.Based on the intersection between the predicted introgressive genes from RNAseq data and the published gene information from the G.barbadense genome,1,535 introgressive genes were identified in three CSSLs.Further analysis of the three common introgressive sections in superior CSSLs revealed eight candidate genes that were identified to be involved in fiber development,namely,O-fucosyltransferase family protein(GB_A02G0240),glutamine synthetase 2(GB_A02G0272),Ankyrin repeat family protein(GB_A02G0264),beta-6 tubulin(GB_D03G1742),WRKY DNA-binding protein 2(GB_D03G1655),quinolinate synthase(GB_D07G0623),nuclear factor Y,subunit B13(GB_D07G0631),and leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein kinase(GB_D07G0797).Our results provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying fiber formation and lay a solid foundation for further high-efficiency determination of candidate genes by combining RNA-seq data and pivotal chromosome regions.

Optimization of Supercritical CO_(2) Extraction of Curcumin by Response Surface Methodology and Its Antioxidant Activity

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a mathematical model for supercritical CO_(2) extraction of curcumin.[Methods]With ginger as the experimental raw material,a quadratic polynomial mathematical model of the yield of curcumin extracted by supercritical CO_(2) was established by response surface methodology(RSM).The validity of the mathematical model was verified,and the effects of extraction temperature(60-70℃),pressure(30-50 MPa)and time(70-90 min)on curcumin yield were analyzed.[Results]According to the model,the process parameters were optimized.Taking curcumin yield as the index,the optimal process conditions for supercritical CO_(2) extraction obtained were:temperature 62.6℃,pressure 37.7 MPa,time 82.9 min,under which the yield of curcumin was as high as 7.34%.Under the optimal extraction conditions,curcumin had a certain reducing capacity,and showed strong scavenging capacities to·OH,O_(2)^(-)·and DPPH,and its IC_(50) values were 9.40,9.03 and 8.04 mg/ml,respectively.Therefore,it is feasible to extract curcumin from ginger using supercritical CO_(2).[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of curcumin.

Degradation strategies of pesticide residue:From chemicals tosynthetic biology

The past 50 years have witnessed a massive expansion in the demand and application of pesticides.However,pesticides are difficult to be completely degraded without intervention hence the pesticide residue could pose a persistent threat to non-target organisms in many aspects.To aim at the problem of the abuse of pesticide products and excessive pesticide residues in the environment,chemical and biological degradation methods are widely developed but are scaled and insufficient to solve such a pollution.In recent years,bio-degradative tools instructed by synthetic biological principles have been further studied and have paved a way for pesticide degradation.Combining the customized design strategy and standardized assembly mode,the engineering bacteria for multi-dimensional degradation has become an effective tool for pesticide residue degradation.This review introduces the mechanisms and hazards of different pesticides,summarizes the methods applied in the degradation of pesticide residues,and discusses the advantages,applications,and prospects of synthetic biology in degrading pesticide residues.

Self-assembly synthesis of SnNb2O6/amino-functionalized graphene nanocomposite as high-rate anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

A two-dimensional(2 D)SnNb_(2)O_(6)/amino-functionalized graphene(En-RGO)nanocomposite with a representative 2 D-2 D architecture has been constructed by an easy self-assembly approach and firstly investigated as anode materials for secondary sodium-ion batteries.The SnNb_(2)O_(6)nanosheets are evenly anchored with the aminofunctionalized graphene through electrostatic attractive interplay between the negatively charged SnNb_(2)O_(6)and positively charged En-RGO after modification.As a result,a remarkable reversible capacity of 300 mAh·g^(-1)was obtained at 50 mA·g^(-1),and significantly,the En-RGO electrode could also deliver ultra-long calendar life up to1900 cycles with a high reversible capacity of200 mAh·g^(-1)at current of 500 mA·g^(-1).Such excellent electrochemical characteristics can be mainly ascribed to its fast pseudo-capacitive energy storage mechanism,and the capacitive contribution can even reach up to 90%at1.2 mV·s^(-1).

Plasticity of mycangia in Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles

Insects that depend on microbial mutualists evolved a variety of organs to transport the microsymbionts while dispersing. The ontogeny and variability of such organs is rarely studied, and the microsymbiont*s effects on the animal tissue development remain unknown in most cases. Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae or Platypodinae) and their mutualistic fungi are an ideal system to study the animalfungus interactions. While the interspecific diversity of their fungus transport organ一 mycangia—is well-known, their developmental plasticity has been poorly described. To determine the ontogeny of the mycangium and the influence of the symbiotic fungus on the tissue development, we dissected by hand or scanned with micro-CT the mycangia in various developmental stages in five Xylosandrus ambrosia beetle species that possess a large, mesonotal mycangium: Xylosandrus amputatus. Xylosandrus compactus, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, Xylosandrus discolor, and Xylosandrus germanus. We processed 181 beetle samples from the United States and China. All five species displayed three stages of the mycangium development:(1) young teneral adults had an empty, deflated and cryptic mycangium without fungal mass;(2) in fully mature adults during dispersal, the promesonotal membrane was inflated, and most individuals developed a mycangium mostly filled with the symbiont, though size and symmetry varied;and (3) after successful establishment of their new galleries, most females discharged the bulk of the fun gal inoculum and deflated the mycangium. Experimental aposymbiotic individuals demonstrated that the pronotal membrane invaginated independently of the presence of the fungus, but the fungus was required for inflation. Mycangia are more dynamic than previously thought, and their morphological changes correspond to the phases of the symbiosis. Importantly, studies of the fungal symbionts or plant pathogen transmission in ambrosia beetles need to consider which developmental stage to sample. We provide illustrations of the different stages, including microphotography of dissections and micro-CT scans.

On-chip classification of micro-particles using laser light scattering and machine learning

The rapid detection of microparticles exhibits a broad range of applications in the field of science and technology. The proposed method differentiates and identifies the 2 μm and 5 μm sized particles using a laser light scattering. The detection method is based on measuring forward light scattering from the particles and then classifying the acquired data using support vector machines. The device is composed of a microfluidic chip linked with photosensors and a laser device using optical fiber. Connecting the photosensors and laser device using optical fibers makes the device more diminutive in size and portable. The prepared sample containing microspheres was passed through the channel, and the surrounding photosensors measured the scattered light. The time-domain features were evaluated from the acquired scattered light, and then the SVM classifier was trained to distinguish the particle’s data. The real-time detection of the particles was performed with an overall classification accuracy of 96.06%. The optimum conditions were evaluated to detect the particles with a minimum concentration of 0.2 μg/m L. The developed system is anticipated to be helpful in developing rapid testing devices for detecting pathogens ranging between 2 μm to 10 μm.

Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Mice was Alleviated by Rac1 Inhibition - More Than Just ROS-inhibition

Background and Aims:Reducing reactive oxygen species(ROS)production has proven an effective way for allevi-ating oxidative stress during ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI).Moreover,inhibition of Rac1 could reduce ROS pro-duction and prevent oxidative stress injury.Previous stud-ies have suggested a positive interactivation feedback loop between Rac1 and hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α,the latter being up-regulated early during ischemia.The posi-tive inter-activation between Rac1 and HIF-1αwould ag-gravate ROS production,thereby promoting IRI.This study was designed to verify the effects of Rac1 inhibition on he-patic IRI both at animal and cellular levels and to explore the interaction between Rac1 and HIF-1αduring hepatic IRI.Methods:C57B/6 mice and AML-12 cells were used for the construction of hepatic IRI animal and cell models.Rac1 inhibition was achieved by NSC23766(a specific Rac1 inhibitor).Lentiviral vectors were used for Rac1 knock-down.At designated time points,serum and liver tissues were collected from the mice and treated cells were col-lected for further analysis.Results:NSC23766 treatment significantly alleviated the hepatic IRI in mice,manifesting as lower vacuolation score and less apoptosis cells,lower ROS and serum/liver alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels,and fewer activated inflammatory cells.IRI of AML-12 was also alleviated by 50μM NSC23766 or Rac1-knockdown,manifesting as reduced cell apoptosis,less extensive interruption of mitochondrial membrane po-tential,down-regulation of apoptosis,and effects on DNA damage-related proteins.Interestingly,Rac1 knockdown also down-regulated the expression level of HIF-1α.Con-clusions:Our study supports a protective effect of Rac1 inhibition on hepatic IRI.Aside from the classic topics of reducing ROS production and oxidative stress,our study showed an interaction between Rac1 and HIF-1αsignaling during hepatic IRI.