Phosphatidylethanolamine Improves Postnatal Growth Retardation by Regulating Mucus Secretion of Intestinal Goblet Cells in Piglets.

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a multifunctional phospholipid, is necessary for neonate development. This study aimed to explore the impact of the regulation of exogenous PE on postnatal growth retardation (PGR) by improving intestinal barrier function. Thirty-two neonatal pigs were divided into four groups according to their body weight (BW 2.79 ± 0.50 kg or 1.88 ± 0.40 kg) at 7 days old, CON-NBW, PE-NBW, CON-PGR, and PE-PGR. PE was supplemented to NBW piglets and PGR piglets during lactation and post-weaning periods. Compared with the NBW piglets, the growth performance of PGR piglets was lower, while PE improved the poor growth performance. PGR piglets showed injured intestinal morphology, as evidenced by the reduced ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) and goblet cell numbers in the jejunum and ileum. PE recovered the intestinal barrier injury by increasing VH/CD and goblet cell numbers. The decreased MUC2 mRNA and protein expressions were observed in the small intestine of PGR piglets, and PE remarkably increased the expression of MUC2. Mechanistically, PE increased the goblet cell differentiation promoting gene spdef mRNA levels and reduced the mRNA expressions involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of PGR piglets. Overall, we found that PE alleviated growth retardation by regulating intestinal health and generalized its application in neonates.

Atomically Precise Nanometer-Sized Pt Catalysts with an Additional Photothermy Functionality.

Atomically precise ~1-nm Pt nanoparticles (nanoclusters, NCs) with ambient stability are important in fundamental research and exhibit diverse practical applications (catalysis, biomedicine, etc.). However, synthesizing such materials is challenging. Herein, by employing the mixture ligand protecting strategy, we successfully synthesized the largest organic-ligand-protected (~1-nm) Pt23 NCs precisely characterized with mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Interestingly, natural population analysis and Bader charge calculation indicate an alternate, varying charge -layer distribution in the sandwich-like Pt23 NC kernel. Pt23 NCs can catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction under acidic conditions without requiring calcination and other treatments, and the resulting specific and mass activities without further treatment are sevenfold and eightfold higher than those observed for commercial Pt/C catalysts, respectively. Density functional theory and d-band center calculations interpret the high activity. Furthermore, Pt23 NCs exhibit a photothermal conversion efficiency of 68.4 % under 532-nm laser irradiation and can be used at least for six cycles, thus demonstrating great potential for practical applications.

A Retrospective Analysis of Salmonella Isolates across 11 Animal Species (1982-1999) Led to the First Identification of Chromosomally Encoded blaSCO-1 in the USA.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in non-typhoidal Salmonella is a pressing public health concern in the United States, necessitating continuous surveillance. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 251 Salmonella isolates from 11 animal species recovered between 1982 and 1999, utilizing serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Phenotypic resistance was observed in 101 isolates, with S. Typhimurium, S. Dublin, S. Agona, and S. Muenster prevailing among 36 identified serovars. Notably, resistance to 12 of 17 antibiotics was detected, with ampicillin being most prevalent (79/251). We identified 38 resistance genes, primarily mediating aminoglycoside (n = 13) and ß-lactamase (n = 6) resistance. Plasmid analysis unveiled nine distinct plasmids associated with AMR genes in these isolates. Chromosomally encoded blaSCO-1 was present in three S. Typhimurium and two S. Muenster isolates from equine samples, conferring resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct clusters for these five isolates, indicating evolutionary divergence. This study represents the first report of blaSCO-1 in the USA, and our recovered isolates harboring this gene as early as 1989 precede those of all other reports. The enigmatic nature of blaSCO-1 prompts further research into its function. Our findings highlight the urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella for effective public health interventions.

A One-Pot Convenient RPA-CRISPR-Based Assay for Salmonella enterica Serovar Indiana Detection.

Salmonella enterica serovar Indiana (S. Indiana) is among the most prevalent serovars of Salmonella and is closely associated with foodborne diseases worldwide. In this study, we combined a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technique with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein Cas12b (CRISPR/Cas12b)-based biosensing in a one-pot platform to develop a novel one-step identification method for S. Indiana infection diagnosis. The entire RPA-CRISPR/Cas12b reaction can be completed at 41 °C within 1 h without the need for specific instruments. The optimal concentrations of Cas12b and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) for the reaction were the same at 250 nM. The single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) reporter 8C-FQ (5'-/6-FAM/CCCCCCCC/BHQ1/-3') presented the best performance in the reaction compared with the other reporters. The limit of detection (LoD) of the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12b assay was 14.4 copies per reaction. As for specificity, we successfully identified four S. Indiana strains among twenty-two Salmonella strains without any false-positive results, presenting 100% accuracy for S. Indiana, and no cross-reactions were observed in eight other pathogens. Moreover, a total of 109 chicken carcasses were classified by the S. Indiana RPA-CRISPR assay and PCR methods from three processing points, including 43 post-shedding, 35 post-evisceration, and 31 post-chilling. There were 17 S. Indiana-positive samples identified during the whole processing step, consisting of nine post-shedding, five post-evisceration, and three post-chilling. The corresponding S. Indiana-positive rates of post-shedding, post-evisceration, and post-chilling were 20.93% (9/43), 14.29% (5/35), and 9.68% (3/31), respectively. Results from the S. Indiana one-step RPA-CRISPR/Cas12b assay were totally in agreement with those obtained using a traditional culture method, demonstrating 100% agreement with no false-positive or false-negative results observed. Altogether, the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12b assay developed in this study represents a promising, accurate, and simple diagnostic tool for S. Indiana detection.

Advances in the study of S100A9 in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of diseases that primarily affect the heart or blood vessels, with high disability and mortality rates, posing a serious threat to human health. The causative factors, pathogenesis, and characteristics of common CVD differ, but they all involve common pathological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. S100A9 belongs to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, which are mainly secreted by myeloid cells and bind to the Toll-like receptor 4 and receptor for advanced glycation end products and is involved in regulating pathological processes such as inflammatory response, fibrosis, vascular calcification, and endothelial barrier function in CVD. The latest research has found that S100A9 is a key biomarker for diagnosing and predicting various CVD. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research progress on the diagnostic and predictive, and therapeutic value of S100A9 in inflammatory-related CVD such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and arterial aneurysm and summarizes its molecular mechanisms in the progression of CVD, aiming to explore new predictive methods and to identify potential intervention targets for CVD in clinical practice.

Efficient selective aerobic oxidation of sulfides by molecular dipole modulation in methylphosphate-substituted perylene diimide supramolecular polarization photocatalyst.

Photocatalytic aerobic oxidation is a promising sustainable strategy for the selective organic synthesis of industrially valuable chemicals. However, the poor charge separation and insufficient molecular activation restrict the overall photocatalytic efficiency. To address these issues, we have developed a novel approach involving molecular dipole modulation and polar molecular self-assembly to modulate the built-in electric field (BEF) in perylene diimide (PDI) supramolecular polarization photocatalysts by adjusting the electronegativity of terminal substituents. The optimized methylphosphate-substituted PDI (P-PDIP) supramolecular system features the strongest BEF induced by its large molecular dipole, with an intensity 3.89 times higher than that observed in methylcarboxy-substituted PDI (P-PDIC) and 5.64 times higher than that observed in P-PDI. This significant enhancement in BEF generates a powerful driving force within P-PDIP, facilitating directional charge separation toward active sites. Additionally, the incorporation of methylphosphate groups improves the activation efficiency of O2 and thioether molecules, resulting in a remarkable photocatalytic performance for selective aerobic oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxide (up to 99.9% conversion and 99.8% selectivity). This study highlights that enhancing BEF through manipulating molecular dipoles can significantly improve photocatalytic activity, offering great potential for constructing efficient organic polarization photocatalysts in green chemistry and sustainable production.

Efficient Thermal Management with Selective Metamaterial Absorber for Boosting Photothermal CO2 Hydrogenation under Sunlight.

Photothermal catalytic CO2 hydrogenation is a prospective strategy to simultaneously reduce CO2 emission and generate value-added fuels. However, the demand of extremely intense light hinders its development in practical applications. Herein, this work reports the novel design of Ni-based selective metamaterial absorber and employs it as the photothermal catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation. The selective absorption property reduces the heat loss caused by radiation while possessing effectively solar absorption, thus substantially increasing local photothermal temperature. Notably, the enhancement of local electric field by plasmon resonance promotes the adsorption and activation of reactants. Moreover, benefiting from the ingenious morphology that Ni nanoparticles (NPs) are encapsulated by SiO2 matrix through co-sputtering, the greatly improved dispersion of Ni NPs enables enhancing the contact with reaction gas and preventing the agglomeration. Consequently, the catalyst exhibits an unprecedented CO2 conversion rate of 516.9 mmol gcat -1 h-1 under 0.8 W cm-2 irradiation, with near 90% CO selectivity and high stability. Significantly, this designed photothermal catalyst demonstrates the great potential in practical applications under sunlight. This work provides new sights for designing high-performance photothermal catalysts by thermal management.

Exploring the Impact of Primer-Template Mismatches on PCR Performance of DNA Polymerases Varying in Proofreading Activity.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely used technique in gene expression analysis, diagnostics, and various molecular biology applications. However, the accuracy and sensitivity of PCR can be compromised by primer-template mismatches, potentially leading to erroneous results. In this study, we strategically designed 111 primer-template combinations with varying numbers, types, and locations of mismatches to meticulously assess their impact on qPCR performance while two distinctly different types of DNA polymerases were used. Notably, when a single-nucleotide mismatch occurred at the 3' end of the primer, we observed significant decreases in the analytical sensitivity (0-4%) with Invitrogen™ Platinum™ Taq DNA Polymerase High Fidelity, while the analytical sensitivity remained unchanged with Takara Ex Taq Hot Start Version DNA Polymerase. Leveraging these findings, we designed a highly specific PCR to amplify Babesia while effectively avoiding the genetically close Theileria. Through elucidating the critical interplay between types of DNA polymerases and primer-template mismatches, this research provides valuable insights for improving PCR accuracy and performance. These findings have important implications for researchers aiming to achieve robust qPCR results in various molecular biology applications.

Heat Treatment Augments Antigen Detection of Dirofilaria immitis in Apparently Healthy Companion Dogs (3.8% to 7.3%): Insights from a Large-Scale Nationwide Survey across the United States.

BACKGROUND: Heartworm disease (HWD) is a vector-borne disease caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Low antigen levels caused by immune complex formation preclude HWD diagnosis. Heat treatment is an immune complex dissociation technique used to enhance antigen detection. Only a few studies have reported the benefits of heat treatment in nationwide surveys. METHODS: To investigate the impact of heat treatment on the seroprevalence of HWD in companion dogs in the USA, serum samples (n = 3253) were analyzed for D. immitis antigen (DiroCHEK®, Zoetis) without and with heat treatment of the samples. RESULTS: Compared to sera without heat treatment, heat treatment significantly increased overall prevalence from 3.8% (123/3253) to 7.3% (237/3253) (p < 10-4), expanding antigen detection from 32 to 39 of the 48 states and Washington District of Columbia included in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest nationwide survey of HW antigen detection in dogs in the US applying heat treatment to canine sera. The heat treatment used herein has the advantage of requiring a low volume of serum, making it optimal for use in routine diagnosis. Heat treatment should be used routinely by reference laboratories and veterinary clinics in patients with a negative initial test.

Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of the First Ehrlichia canis Isolate in China.

Ehrlichia canis, a prominent tick-borne pathogen causing canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), is one of the six recognized Ehrlichia species worldwide. Despite its widespread presence in ticks and host dogs in China, comprehensive genomic information about this pathogen remains limited. This study focuses on an in-depth analysis of E. canis YZ-1, isolated and cultured from an infected dog in China. The complete genome of E. canis YZ-1 was sequenced (1,314,789 bp, 1022 genes, 29% GC content, and 73% coding bases), systematically characterizing its genomic elements and functions. Comparative analysis with representative genomes of Ehrlichia species, including E. canis strain Jake, E. chaffeensis, Ehrlichia spp., E. muris, E. ruminantium, and E. minasensis, revealed conserved genes, indicating potential evolutionary connections with E. ruminantium. The observed reduction in virulence-associated genes, coupled with a type IV secretion system (T4SS), suggests an intricate balance between pathogenicity and host adaptation. The close relationship with E. canis Jake and E. chaffeensis, alongside nuanced genomic variations with E. ruminantium and E. mineirensis, underscores the need to explore emerging strains and advancements in sequencing technologies continuously. This genetic insight opens avenues for innovative medications, studies on probiotic resistance, development of new detection markers, and progress in vaccine development for ehrlichiosis. Further investigations into the functional significance of identified genes and their role in host-pathogen interactions will contribute to a more holistic comprehension of Ehrlichia's biology and its implications for pathogenicity and transmission.

Genomic Characterization of a Plasmid-Free and Highly Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Indiana Isolate in China.

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Indiana (S. Indiana) strains in China is commonly associated with the presence of one or more resistance plasmids harboring integrons pivotal in acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aims to elucidate the genetic makeup of this plasmid-free, highly drug-resistant S. Indiana S1467 strain. Genomic sequencing was performed using Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer and PacBio RS II System. Prodigal software predicted putative protein-coding sequences while BLASTP analysis was conducted. The S1467 genome comprises a circular 4,998,300 bp chromosome with an average GC content of 51.81%, encompassing 4709 open reading frames (ORFs). Fifty-four AMR genes were identified, conferring resistance across 16 AMR categories, aligning closely with the strain's antibiotic susceptibility profile. Genomic island prediction unveiled an approximately 51 kb genomic island housing a unique YeeVU toxin-antitoxin system (TAS), a rarity in Salmonella species. This suggests that the AMR gene cluster on the S1467 genomic island may stem from the integration of plasmids originating from other Enterobacteriaceae. This study contributes not only to the understanding of the genomic characteristics of a plasmid-free, highly drug-resistant S. Indiana strain but also sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance. The implications of our findings extend to the broader context of horizontal gene transfer between bacterial species, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance and research to address the evolving challenges posed by drug-resistant pathogens.

Extension of a biotic ligand model for predicting the toxicity of neodymium to wheat: The effects of pH, Ca2+ and Mg2.

The damage excessive neodymium (Nd) causes to animals and plants should not be underestimated. However, there is little research on the impact of pH and associated ions on the toxicity of Nd. Here, a biotic ligand model (BLM) was expanded to predict the effects of pH and chief anions on the toxic impact of Nd on wheat root elongation in a simulated soil solution. The results suggested that Nd3+ and NdOH2+ were the major ions causing phytotoxicity to wheat roots at pH values of 4.5-7.0. The Nd toxicity decreased as the activities of H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ increased but not when the activities of K+ and Na+ increased. The results indicated that H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ competed with Nd for binding sites. An extended BLM was developed to consider the effects of pH, H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, and the following stability constants were obtained: logKNdBL = 2.51, logKNdOHBL = 3.90, logKHBL = 4.01, logKCaBL = 2.43, and logKMgBL = 2.70. The results demonstrated that the BLM could predict the Nd toxicity well while considering the competition of H+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and the toxic species Nd3+ and NdOH2+ for binding sites.

CoP/Co heterojunction on porous g-C3N4 nanosheets as a highly efficient catalyst for hydrogen generation.

Designing non-precious catalysts to synergistically achieve a facilitated exposure of abundant active sites is highly desired but remains a significant challenge. Herein, a hetero-structured catalyst CoP-Co supported on porous g-C3N4 nanosheets (CoP-Co/CN-I) was prepared by pyrolysis and P-inducing strategy. The optimal catalyst achieves a turnover frequency (TOF) of 26 min-1 at room temperature and the apparent activation energy (Ea) is 35.5 kJ·mol-1. The catalytic activity is ranked top among the non-precious metal phosphides or the other supports. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity has no significant decrease even after 5 cycles. The CoP/Co interfaces provide richly exposed active sites, optimize hydrogen/water absorption free energy via electronic coupling, and thus improve the catalytic activity. The experimental results reveal that the CoP/Co heterojunction improves the catalytic activity due to the construction of dual-active sites. This research facilitates the innovative construction of non-noble metal catalysts to meet industrial demand for heterogeneous catalysis.

Rhodium-Catalyzed C(sp2)-O Cross Couplings of Diazo Quinones with Phenols to Construct Diaryl Ethers.

The diaryl ether represents a prevalent structural motif found in numerous biologically active molecules. Herein, we describe a dirhodium-catalyzed C(sp2)-O cross coupling reaction between diazo quinones and phenols for the construction of diaryl ethers in moderate to high yields. The reaction proceeds under mild and neutral conditions and is tolerant of various functional groups. The synthetic method has been successfully applied to the concise synthesis of a Navl.7 inhibitor.

High-speed k-linear swept laser using acousto-optic deflectors with Doppler shift compensation for optical coherence tomography.

Swept laser based on the acousto-optic deflector (AOD) is a promising swept source in optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications for its high wavenumber linear sweep without mechanical motion. However, the poor coherence length and the elongated cavity of the laser imposed limitations on the acquisition of high-quality images with adequate imaging depth and high imaging speed. In this Letter, we demonstrate a compact high-speed wavenumber linear swept laser based on AOD using Doppler shift compensation, achieving a high linearity of Pearson's R of 0.999991, a duty cycle of ∼100%, an extended coherence length of 5.7 mm, an output power of 18 mW, and excellent phase stability at a sweep speed of 500 kHz. OCT structural images with a system sensitivity of 103.2 dB and OCT angiography (OCTA) of human palm in vivo have been successfully performed, serving as a compelling demonstration of the excellent performance of this swept laser. We believe that the proposed laser will be of high potential in various clinical and industrial applications in the future.

Evoking C2+ production from electrochemical CO2 reduction by the steric confinement effect of ordered porous Cu2O.

Selective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to multi-carbon products (CO2-to-C2+) at high current densities is in essential demand for the practical application of the resultant valuable products, yet it remains challenging to conduct due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, three-dimensional ordered porous cuprous oxide cuboctahedra (3DOP Cu2O-CO) were designed and synthesized by a molecular fence-assisted hard templating approach. Capitalizing on the merits of interconnected and uniformly distributed pore channels, 3DOP Cu2O-CO exhibited outstanding electrochemical CO2-to-C2+ conversion, achieving faradaic efficiency and partial current density for C2+ products of up to 81.7% and -0.89 A cm-2, respectively, with an optimal formation rate of 2.92 mmol h-1 cm-2 under an applied current density of -1.2 A cm-2. In situ spectroscopy and simulation results demonstrated that the ordered pores of 3DOP Cu2O-CO can effectively confine and accumulate sufficient *CO adsorption during electrochemical CO2 reduction, which facilitates efficient dimerization for the formation of C2+ products. Furthermore, the 3DOP structure induces a higher local pH value, which not only enhances the C-C coupling reaction, but also suppresses competing H2 evolution.

Mesophilic Argonaute-Based Single Polystyrene Sphere Aptamer Fluorescence Platform for the Multiplexed and Ultrasensitive Detection of Non-Nucleic Acid Targets.

The rapid, simultaneous, and accurate identification of multiple non-nucleic acid targets in clinical or food samples at room temperature is essential for public health. Argonautes (Agos) are guided, programmable, target-activated, next-generation nucleic acid endonucleases that could realize one-pot and multiplexed detection using a single enzyme, which cannot be achieved with CRISPR/Cas. However, currently reported thermophilic Ago-based multi-detection sensors are mainly employed in the detection of nucleic acids. Herein, this work proposes a Mesophilic Argonaute Report-based single millimeter Polystyrene Sphere (MARPS) multiplex detection platform for the simultaneous analysis of non-nucleic acid targets. The aptamer is utilized as the recognition element, and a single millimeter-sized polystyrene sphere (PSmm ) with a large concentration of guide DNA on the surface served as the microreactor. These are combined with precise Clostridium butyricum Ago (CbAgo) cleavage and exonuclease I (Exo I) signal amplification to achieve the efficient and sensitive recognition of non-nucleic acid targets, such as mycotoxins (<60 pg mL-1 ) and pathogenic bacteria (<102 cfu mL-1 ). The novel MARPS platform is the first to use mesophilic Agos for the multiplex detection of non-nucleic acid targets, overcoming the limitations of CRISPR/Cas in this regard and representing a major advancement in non-nucleic acid target detection using a gene-editing-based system.

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation on cardiopulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We carried out a meta-analysis on the effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on cardiopulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Four databases were searched for studies comparing CR with control. A random-effects model was used to pool mean difference (MD). The meta-analysis showed an increase in peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) (MD = 1.93 mL/kg/min, p = 0.0006), and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) (MD = 59.21 m, p < 0.00001), and a decrease in resting heart rate (resting HR) (MD = 5.68 bpm, p < 0.0001) in the CR group. The subgroup analysis revealed aerobic exercise could further improve resting HR and peak HR, and physical/combination with aerobic exercise could further increase 6MWD. The improvement of peak VO2, workload, resting HR, peak HR, and 6MWD regarding CR performed within one week after CABG is greater than that one week after CABG. CR after CABG can improve the cardiopulmonary function, which is reflected by the improvement of peak VO2, 6MWD, and resting HR.