Comparison analysis of widely-targeted metabolomics revealed the variation of potential astringent ingredients and their dynamic accumulation in the seed coats of both Carya cathayensis and Carya illinoinensis

Pecan and hickory nuts are two of consumers' favorite ones. Pecan seeds can be eaten fresh, while hickory ones must remove astringency before eating. Here, we reported that total phenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins of hickory seeds were reduced after de-astringent treatments. They gradually increased with development, showing higher levels in hickory seed coat at mid-late periods than that in pecan's. Widely-targeted metabonomics analysis of developing testa identified 424 kinds of components, including 101, 38, 58, 27 classes of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, organic acids and others, showing 16 different changing trends. Notably, most kinds of flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins and phenolic acids at maturity were more than that of pecan's, while oligomeric condensed tannins were opposite. Gene expression analysis provided further explanations for their dynamic accumulation. These results unraveled potential astringent components in hickory testa and preliminary molecular mechanisms of their dynamic changes, offering theoretical basis for the targeted de-astringency.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of auxin response factors in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are transcription factors that regulate the expression of auxin response genes, and have important functions in plant growth and development. In this study, available genome data for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were used to identify AhARF genes. In total, 61 AhARFs and 23 AtARFs were divided into six groups (I-VI). Molecular structural analysis revealed that the protein members of AhARF contain at least two domains, the B3 domain and the Auxin-resp domain, and that some have a C-terminal dimerisation domain. Screening of the transcriptome data of 22 tissues of A. hypogaea cv. Tifrunner in a public database showed high expression levels of AhARF2 and AhARF6. AhARF6 was expressed more highly in the stem and branch than in the root and leaf of the wild species Arachis monticola (A. mon) and cultivated species H103. After treatment with exogenous auxin (NAA), the expression of AhARF6 was inhibited, and this inhibition was greater in A. mon than in H103. The transcriptome map revealed that the expression of AhARF6 was higher in the larger pods of H8107 and ZP06 than in the medium pods of H103 and small pods of A. mon. Moreover, AhARF6-5 was proven to be localised in the nucleus, consistent with the location of AtARF6. These results suggest that AhARF6 may play an important role in pod development in peanut.

Sensitive and selective detection of chromium (VI) based on two-dimensional luminescence metal organic framework nanosheets via the mechanism integrating chemical oxidation-reduction and inner filter effect

Two-dimensional luminescence metal organic framework nanosheets (LMOF) named NH₂-CuMOFs were synthesized using Cu (II) nodes coordinated with negatively charged 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NH₂-BDC) via a bottom-up strategy, which were first used as the fluorescent probes for the detection of chromium Cr (VI). The nanosheets possess stable fluorescence with the maximum emission wavelength of 436 nm at excitation of 338 nm that can be effectively quenched by hexavalent chromium Cr (VI). The NH₂-CuMOFs nanosheets show superior advantage over the linker of NH₂-BDC for the excellent selectivity to Cr (Ⅵ) without the interferences of other metal ions. The mechanism investigation suggested that the sensitive detection of Cr (VI) was attributed to the chemical oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction and internal filtration effect (IFE) between Cr (VI) and NH₂-CuMOFs nanosheets. Based on this mechanism, the quantitation of Cr (VI) was realized in the linear range of 0.1-20 μM with a detection limit of 18 nM. Moreover, the detection of Cr (VI) in real samples was also conducted with good recovery. This work provides an optical sensing nanoplatform for heavy metal ions based on two-dimensional LMOFs via a novel mechanism integrating chemical redox reaction and IFE, which may promise broad application prospect for two-dimensional luminescence nanosheets.

Feature Interaction for Streaming Feature Selection

Traditional feature selection methods assume that all data instances and features are known before learning. However, it is not the case in many real-world applications that we are more likely faced with data streams or feature streams or both. Feature streams are defined as features that flow in one by one over time, whereas the number of training examples remains fixed. Existing streaming feature selection methods focus on removing irrelevant and redundant features and selecting the most relevant features, but they ignore the interaction between features. A feature might have little correlation with the target concept by itself, but, when it is combined with some other features, they can be strongly correlated with the target concept. In other words, the interactive features contribute to the target concept as an integer greater than the sum of individuals. Nevertheless, most of the existing streaming feature selection methods treat features individually, but it is necessary to consider the interaction between features. In this article, we focus on the problem of feature interaction in feature streams and propose a new streaming feature selection method that can select features to interact with each other, named Streaming Feature Selection considering Feature Interaction (SFS-FI). With the formal definition of feature interaction, we design a new metric named interaction gain that can measure the interaction degree between the new arriving feature and the selected feature subset. Besides, we analyzed and demonstrated the relationship between feature relevance and feature interaction. Extensive experiments conducted on 14 real-world microarray data sets indicate the efficiency of our new method.

An Organic Solvent-Assisted Intercalation and Collection (OAIC) for Ti3C2Tx MXene with Controllable Sizes and Improved Yield

A good method of synthesizing Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) is critical for ensuring its success in practical applications, e.g., electromagnetic interference shielding, electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, sensors, and biomedicine. The main concerns focus on the moderation of the approach, yield, and product quality. Herein, a modified approach, organic solvent-assisted intercalation and collection, was developed to prepare Ti₃C₂T_x flakes. The new approach simultaneously solves all the concerns, featuring a low requirement for facility (centrifugation speed < 4000 rpm in whole process), gram-level preparation with remarkable yield (46.3%), a good electrical conductivity (8672 S cm^-1), an outstanding capacitive performance (352 F g^-1), and easy control over the dimension of Ti₃C₂T_x flakes (0.47-4.60 μm²). This approach not only gives a superb example for the synthesis of other MXene materials in laboratory, but sheds new light for the future mass production of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene.

Analysis of lipidomics profile of Carya cathayensis nuts and lipid dynamic changes during embryonic development

Hickory (Carya cathayensis) nuts contain higher amount of lipids, and possess high nutritional value and substantial health benefits. However, their lipid composition and dynamic changes during embryogenesis have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, lipidomics profile and lipid dynamic changes during embryonic development were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Totally, 544 kinds of lipids were identified in mature hickory nuts with higher proportions of glycerolipids (59.94%) and glycerophospholipids (38.66%). Notably, diacylglycerols showed gradual uptrends, which corresponded with total glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid at middle and late stage of embryogenesis, suggesting the pivotal role of diacylglycerols in the accumulation of glycerolipids and glycerophospholipids. Moreover, triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines had high relative content with abundance of unsaturated fatty acids, specifically oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, localized mainly at sn-2 lipid position. Together, our study provides innovative perspectives for studying the nutritional benefits of hickory nut lipids.

Solid-phase extraction methods for nucleic acid separation. A review

The separation and purification of biomacromolecules such as nucleic acid is a perpetual topic in separation processes and bioengineering (fine chemicals, biopharmaceutical engineering, diagnostics, and biological characterization). In principle, the solid-phase extraction for nucleic acid exhibits efficient phase separation, low pollution risk, and small sample demand, compared to the conventional liquid-phase extraction. Herein, solid-phase extraction methods are systematically reviewed to outline research progress and explore additional solid-phase sorbents and devices for novel, flexible, and high-efficiency nucleic acid separation processes. The functional materials capture nucleic acid, magnetic and magnetic-free solid-phase extraction methods, separation device design and optimization, and high-throughput automatable applications based on high-performance solid-phase extraction are summarized. Finally, the current challenges and promising topics are discussed.

Epigenetic inactivation of the autophagy-lysosomal system in appendix in Parkinson's disease

The gastrointestinal tract may be a site of origin for α-synuclein pathology in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Disruption of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) may contribute to α-synuclein aggregation. Here we examined epigenetic alterations in the ALP in the appendix by deep sequencing DNA methylation at 521 ALP genes. We identified aberrant methylation at 928 cytosines affecting 326 ALP genes in the appendix of individuals with PD and widespread hypermethylation that is also seen in the brain of individuals with PD. In mice, we find that DNA methylation changes at ALP genes induced by chronic gut inflammation are greatly exacerbated by α-synuclein pathology. DNA methylation changes at ALP genes induced by synucleinopathy are associated with the ALP abnormalities observed in the appendix of individuals with PD specifically involving lysosomal genes. Our work identifies epigenetic dysregulation of the ALP which may suggest a potential mechanism for accumulation of α-synuclein pathology in idiopathic PD.

Comparison of 2 Different Doses of Antithymocyte Globulin in Conditioning Regimens for Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

Antithymocyte globulin is extensively used for prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, different doses of antithymocyte globulin are administered in clinical practice. This study aimed to identify the optimal dose of antithymocyte globulin (thymoglobulin) in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the effects of 10 mg/kg (2.5 mg/kg on days -5 to -2) versus 7.5 mg/kg thymoglobulin (2.5 mg/kg on days -4 to -2) on patients receiving haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with myeloablative conditioning.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences between the 2 treatment groups with regard to cumulative incidence of grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (15.3% vs 14.6%; P = .93) and 3-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (12.1% vs 14.3%; P = .77). The probabilities of 3-year overall survival (68.9% vs 73.5%; P = .98) and graft-versus-host disease-free/relapse-free survival (66.7% vs 53.1%; P = .14) were comparable between the 2 groups. However, there was a trend for lower cumulative incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis in the 7.5 mg/kg treatment group compared with the 10 mg/kg treatment group (40.7% vs 24.4%; P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who received a reduced dose of antithymocyte globulin (7.5 vs 10 mg/kg), there was no impaired effect on prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease, with a trend of reduced incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis. Further studies of the 7.5 mg/kg dose of antithymocyte globulin are warranted for patients receiving haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Efficient One-Step Separation of Five Flavonoids from the Crude Extract of the Waste Pomace of Sea Buckthorn Berries through Counter-Current Chromatography

The pomace of sea buckthorn berries is usually discarded when transforming into nonalcoholic or alcoholic beverages, jellies, jams, juices, candies and dairy products. Here, we established a promising approach for one step separation of five flavonoids from the waste pomace of sea buckthorn berries through counter-current chromatography. The crude extract of waste pomace of sea buckthorn berries after juicing was injected into counter-current chromatography with hexane/ethyl acetate/ethanol/water (v/v/v/v, 5:7:5:7) as the solvent system. As a result, five flavonoids, including quercetin, laricitrin, isorhamnetin-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, were obtained in a single step separation. Our finding showed that ethanol is a good substitute for methanol to regulate the partition coefficient in hexane/ethyl acetate/ methanol/water system. This study provided a significant measure to utilize the waste pomace of Sea buckthorn berries.

The Value of Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Combined with Puncture Feeling in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

INTRODUCTION

There are few studies on the role of puncture feeling in thyroid nodules during ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC), although it is expected to become a new predictive technique. We aimed to analyze the importance of puncture feeling in combination with US-FNAC and investigate whether it can be used as an indicator to predict the nature of thyroid nodules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1, 2018, to October 31, 2020, a total of 623 thyroid nodules were included. Puncture feeling was classified as "soft," "hard," or "hard with grittiness." The correlation between puncture feeling and postoperative pathology and the diagnostic value of FNAC combined with puncture feeling were analyzed, and the influence of thyroid nodule size on puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling was studied. We further explored the correlation between puncture feeling and histopathology in Bethesda III and IV thyroid nodules.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between puncture feeling and postoperative pathology (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, negative predictive value, and total coincidence rate of US-FNAC combined with puncture feeling for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules were higher than those of US-FNAC alone (96.1, 83.6, and 94.7% vs. 89.0, 65.5, and 89.7%, respectively). Thyroid nodule size was the influencing factor for puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling (p < 0.05 for all). The area under the curve for puncture feeling, FNAC, and FNAC combined with puncture feeling for thyroid nodules of size ≤1 cm was greater than for modules of size >1 cm. Puncture feeling was of great value in diagnosing Bethesda III thyroid nodules (p < 0.001), and all Bethesda IV thyroid nodules had puncture feeling of soft.

CONCLUSION

Puncture feeling is of great value during US-FNAC. "Hard" and "hard with grittiness" were indicators for malignancy, while "soft" indicated that the thyroid nodule was likely to be benign. The diagnostic value of US-FNAC combined with puncture feeling for thyroid nodules is higher than US-FNAC alone, especially when nodule size is ≤1 cm. Puncture feeling is of great value in predicting the nature of Bethesda III thyroid nodules.

Universal Nanoplatform for Formaldehyde Detection Based on the Oxidase-Mimicking Activity of MnO2 Nanosheets and the In Situ Catalysis-Produced Fluorescence Species

Formaldehyde (HCHO) pollution is a scientific problem of general concern and has aroused wide attention. In this work, a fluorometric method for sensitive detection of formaldehyde was developed based on the oxidase-mimicking activity of MnO₂ nanosheets in the presence of o-phenylenediamine (OPD). The MnO₂ nanosheets were prepared by the bottom-up approach using manganese salt as the precursor, followed by the exfoliation with bovine serum albumin. The as-prepared MnO₂ nanosheets displayed excellent oxidase-mimicking activity, and can be used as the nanoplatform for sensing in fluorometric analysis. OPD was used as a typical substrate because MnO₂ nanosheets can catalyze the oxidation of OPD to generate yellow 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP), which can emit bright yellow fluorescence at the wavelength of 560 nm. While in the presence of formaldehyde, the fluorescence was greatly quenched because formaldehyde can react with OPD to form Schiff bases that decreased the oxidation reaction of OPD to DAP. The main mechanism and the selectivity of the platform were studied. As a result, formaldehyde can be sensitively detected in a wide linear range of 0.8-100 μM with the detection limit as low as 6.2 × 10^-8 M. The platform can be used for the detection of formaldehyde in air, beer, and various food samples with good performance. This work not only expands the application of MnO₂ nanosheets in fluorescence sensing, but also provides a sensitive and selective method for the detection of formaldehyde in various samples via a new mechanism.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on White Matter Tract Microstructure in Young and Middle-Aged Healthy Adults

Recent evidence suggests that being physically active can mitigate age-related white matter (WM) changes. In a randomized clinical trial, the effect of 6-month aerobic exercise (AE) or stretching/toning interventions on measures of WM microstructure (WMM) was assessed in a sample of 74 adults aged 20-67 years. Major WM pathways were reconstructed. No significant group-level change in WM tract microstructure following an AE training was observed. Without adjustment for multiple comparisons, an increase in fractional anisotropy (FA) and a decrease in mean diffusivity (MD) of the uncinate fasciculus were observed post-intervention in the AE group in comparison with the stretching group. In the AE group, a significant increase in cardiorespiratory fitness was measured but did not correlate with FA and MD change. The present results of this study are in accordance with similar studies in healthy adults that did not show significant benefit on WMM after participating in an AE program. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01179958.

The major mechanism of melanoma mutations is based on deamination of cytosine in pyrimidine dimers as determined by circle damage sequencing

Sunlight-associated melanomas carry a unique C-to-T mutation signature. UVB radiation induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) as the major form of DNA damage, but the mechanism of how CPDs cause mutations is unclear. To map CPDs at single-base resolution genome wide, we developed the circle damage sequencing (circle-damage-seq) method. In human cells, CPDs form preferentially in a tetranucleotide sequence context (5'-Py-T<>Py-T/A), but this alone does not explain the tumor mutation patterns. To test whether mutations arise at CPDs by cytosine deamination, we specifically mapped UVB-induced cytosine-deaminated CPDs. Transcription start sites (TSSs) were protected from CPDs and deaminated CPDs, but both lesions were enriched immediately upstream of the TSS, suggesting a mutation-promoting role of bound transcription factors. Most importantly, the genomic dinucleotide and trinucleotide sequence specificity of deaminated CPDs matched the prominent mutation signature of melanomas. Our data identify the cytosine-deaminated CPD as the leading premutagenic lesion responsible for mutations in melanomas.

Mechanism and Prevention of Ototoxicity Induced by Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides, a class of clinically important drugs, are widely used worldwide against gram-negative bacterial infections. However, there is growing evidence that aminoglycosides can cause hearing loss or balance problems. In this article, we mainly introduce the main mechanism of ototoxicity induced by aminoglycosides. Genetic analysis showed that the susceptibility of aminoglycosides was attributable to mutations in mtDNA, especially A1555G and C1494T mutations in 12S rRNA. In addition, the overexpression of NMDA receptors and the formation of free radicals also play an important role. Understanding the mechanism of ototoxicity induced by aminoglycosides is helpful to develop new therapeutic methods to protect hearing. In this article, the prevention methods of ototoxicity induced by aminoglycosides were introduced from the upstream and downstream aspects.

Radiofrequency ablation triggers the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing miR-148a-5p

Increasing evidences suggest that insufficient radiofrequency ablation (IRFA) can paradoxically promote tumor invasion and metastatic processes, whereas the effects of moderate hyperthermia on cancer progression are not well illustrated. Our study found that IRFA can increase the in vitro migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via induction of Snail, a master regulator of EMT events. Among measured miRNAs, IRFA can decrease the expression of miR-148a-5p in HCC cells. Whereas overexpression of miR-148a-5p can reverse IRFA-induced migration of HCC cells and upregulation of Snail, mechanistically overexpression of miR-148a-5p can directly target and decrease the expression of protein kinase ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), which can increase protein stability of Snail. Collectively, our data suggest that IRFA can regulate the miR-148a-5p/ATM/Snail axis to trigger migration of HCC cells.