Comprehensive analysis of the dynamic changes of volatile and non-volatile metabolites in boletus edulis during processing by HS-SPME-GC-MS and UPLC-MS/MS analysis.

In order to investigate the dynamic changes of flavor compounds, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) combined with Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was used to detect the metabolites in different drying processes. A total of 80 volatile compounds and 1319 non-volatile compounds were identified. The trend in the changes of C-8 compounds and sulfur-containing compounds were generally consistent with the trend of key enzyme activities. 479 differential metabolites were identified and revealed that metabolic profiles of compounds in Boletus edulis were altered with increased organic acids and derivatives and lipids and lipid-like molecules. Fatty acids and amino acids were transformed into volatile compounds under the action of enzymes, which played a significant role in the formation of the distinctive flavor of Boletus edulis. Our study provided a theoretical support for fully comprehending the formation mechanism of flavor from Boletus edulis during drying processes.

A novel Alisma orientale extract alleviates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice via modulation of PPARα signaling pathway.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), leads to irreversible liver damage. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of a novel extract from traditional Chinese medicine Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep (AE) on free fatty acid (FFA)-induced HepG2 cell model and high-fat diet (HFD) + carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse model of NASH. C57BL/6 J mice were fed a HFD for 10 weeks. Subsequently, the mice were injected with CCl4 to induce NASH and simultaneously treated with AE at daily doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, animals were fasted for 12 h and then sacrificed. Blood samples and liver tissues were collected for analysis. Lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and histopathology were examined. Additionally, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was used to predict the molecular targets and potential mechanisms involved, which were further validated in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that AE reversed liver damage (plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatocyte ballooning, hepatic steatosis, and NAS score), the accumulation of hepatic lipids (TG and TC), and oxidative stress (MDA and GSH). PCR array analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that AE protects against NASH by regulating the adipocytokine signaling pathway and influencing nuclear receptors such as PPARα. Furthermore, AE increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PPARGC1α) and reversed the decreased expression of PPARα in NASH mice. Moreover, in HepG2 cells, AE reduced FFA-induced lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, which was dependent on PPARα up-regulation. Overall, our findings suggest that AE may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for NASH by inhibiting lipid accumulation and reducing oxidative stress specifically through the PPARα pathway.

Reactive oxygen species produced by photodynamic therapy enhance docosahexaenoic acid lipid peroxidation and induce the death of breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer remains a serious threat to women's physical and emotional health. The combination therapies can overcome the deficiency of single therapy, enhance the therapeutic effects and reduce the side effects at the same time. In this study, we synthesize a novel nanomedicine that enhanced the therapeutic effects of breast cancer treatment by combining photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy. The doxorubicin (DOX) and photosensitizer methyl pyropheophorbide-a (MPPa) are loaded into the nano-drug delivery system as DPSPFA/MPPa/DOX. In response to near-infrared (NIR) laser, the drugs were quickly released to the cancer cells. The MPPa produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the action of photodynamics. Unsaturated fatty acids with ROS promotes lipid peroxidation and the combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. The data shows that the DPSPFA/MPPa/DOX has a spherical shape, good dispersibility and stability, and the particle size is roughly 200 nm. The drug loading capability of DOX is about 13 %. Both of MCF7 cell model in vitro and breast cancer model in vivo, DPSPFA/MPPa/DOX showed an excellent anti-tumor effect of 86.9 % and without any obvious side effects. These findings might offer potential for a new approach for breast cancer treatment.

Urbanization significantly increases greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical headwater stream in Southeast China.

Streams are disproportionately significant contributors to increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) effluxes in river networks. In the context of global urbanization, a growing number of streams are affected by urbanization, which has been suggested to stimulate the water-air GHG emissions from fluvial systems. This study investigated the seasonal and longitudinal profiles of GHG (N2O, CH4, and CO2) concentrations of Jiuxianghe Stream, a headwater stream undergoing urbanization, and estimated its GHG diffusive fluxes and global warming potentials (GWPs) using the boundary layer method. The results showed that N2O, CH4, and CO2 concentrations in Jiuxianghe Stream were 0.45-7.19 µg L-1, 0.31-586.85 µg L-1, and 0.16-11.60 mg L-1, respectively. N2O, CH4, and CO2 concentrations in the stream showed 4.55-, 23.70-, and 7.68-fold increases from headwaters to downstream, respectively, corresponding to the forest-urban transition within the watershed. Multiple linear regression indicated that NO3--N, NH4+-N, and DOC:NO3--N accurately predicted N2O and CO2 concentrations, indicating that N nutrients were the driving factors. The Jiuxianghe Stream was a source of atmospheric GHGs with a daily GWP of 7.31 g CO2-eq m-2 d-1 on average and was significantly positively correlated with the ratio of construction land and forest in the sub-watershed. This study highlights the critical role of urbanization in amplifying GHG emissions from streams, thereby augmenting our understanding of GHG emissions from river networks. With global urbanization on the rise, streams experiencing urbanization are expected to make an unprecedentedly significant contribution to riverine GHG budgets in the future.

Research on the mechanism of Guanyu Zhixie Granule in intervening gastric ulcers in rats based on network pharmacology and multi-omics.

Objective: Guanyu Zhixie Granule (GYZXG) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound with definite efficacy in intervening in gastric ulcers (GUs). However, the effect mechanisms on GU are still unclear. This study aimed to explore its mechanism against GU based on amalgamated strategies. Methods: The comprehensive chemical characterization of the active compounds of GYZXG was conducted using UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Based on these results, key targets and action mechanisms were predicted through network pharmacology. GU was then induced in rats using anhydrous ethanol (1 mL/200 g). The intervention effects of GYZXG on GU were evaluated by measuring the inhibition rate of GU, conducting HE staining, and assessing the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-4, Pepsin (PP), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the mRNA levels of key targets and pathways. Metabolomics, combined with 16S rRNA sequencing, was used to investigate and confirm the action mechanism of GYZXG on GU. The correlation analysis between differential gut microbiota and differential metabolites was conducted using the spearman method. Results: For the first time, the results showed that nine active ingredients and sixteen targets were confirmed to intervene in GU when using GYZXG. Compared with the model group, GYZXG was found to increase the ulcer inhibition rate in the GYZXG-M group (p < 0.05), reduce the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, PP in gastric tissue, and increase the levels of IL-10, IL-4, and EGF. GYZXG could intervene in GU by regulating serum metabolites such as Glycocholic acid, Epinephrine, Ascorbic acid, and Linoleic acid, and by influencing bile secretion, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and adipocyte catabolism. Additionally, GYZXG could intervene in GU by altering the gut microbiota diversity and modulating the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcus. The differential gut microbiota was strongly associated with serum differential metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated a significant role of the HIF-1 signaling pathway in GYZXG's intervention on GU. The changes in metabolites within metabolic pathways and the alterations in RELA, HIF1A, and EGF mRNA levels in RT-qPCR experiments provide further confirmation of this result. Conclusion: GYZXG can intervene in GU induced by anhydrous ethanol in rats by regulating gut microbiota and metabolic disorders, providing a theoretical basis for its use in GU intervention.

Enhancing corn stalk-based anaerobic digestion with different types of zero-valent iron added during the acidification stage: Performance and mechanism.

Anaerobic digestion has been defined as a competitive approach to facilitate the recycling of corn stalks. However, few studies have focused on the role of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) pathway in the acidification stage under the addition of different particle sizes of zero-valent iron (ZVI). In this study, three types of ZVI, namely iron filings, iron powder and nanoscale iron, were investigated, respectively, to enhance its high-value conversion. Variations in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and methane (CH4) production associated with the underlying mechanisms were emphatically determined. Results indicated that the addition of ZVI could increase the concentration of VFAs, with the most outstanding performance observed with the use of nanoscale iron. Importantly, the conversion of propionic acid to acetic acid was driven by adding ZVI with no between-group differences in acidizing phase. Conversely, the substrate was more fully utilized when supplied with iron powder compared with other groups in methanogenic phase, thereby displaying the maximum CH4 yield with a value of 263.1 mL/(g total solids (TS)). However, adding nanoscale iron could signally shorten the digestion time (T80), saving 7 days in comparison to the group of iron powder.

Biomimetic Slippery Surface with Exclusive Liquid-Repellent and Self-Cleaning Properties for Antifouling.

The nature always offers amazing inspiration, where it is highly desirable to endow coatings on marine equipment with powerful functions. An excellent example is slippery zone of Nepenthes pitcher, which possesses novel liquid-repellent and self-cleaning performance. Therefore, this study presents an efficient fabrication method to prepare a novel coating. The coatings were fabricated by designing biomimetic textures extracted from the lunate bodies of slippery zone on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and then grafting Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide (DIP) modifier. The as-prepared slippery coatings exhibited outstanding antifouling properties against kinds of daily life pollutants such as Chlorella and coffee. This synergistic strategy was proposed combined with environmentally friendly modifier grafting and heterogeneous microstructure on the surface to broaden new probabilities for manufacturing slippery coatings with incredible protective functionality.

Root suberization in the response mechanism of melon to autotoxicity.

Continuous cropping obstacles poses significant challenges for melon cultivation, with autotoxicity being a primary inducer. Suberization of cells or tissues is a vital mechanism for plant stress response. Our study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of root suberization in melon's response to autotoxicity. Cinnamic acid was used to simulate autotoxicity. Results showed that autotoxicity worsened the root morphology and activity of seedlings. Significant reductions were observed in root length, diameter, surface area, volume and fork number compared to the control in the later stage of treatment, with a decrease ranging from 20% to 50%. The decrease in root activity ranged from 16.74% to 29.31%. Root suberization intensified, and peripheral suberin deposition became more prominent. Autotoxicity inhibited phenylalanineammonia-lyase activity, the decrease was 50% at 16 h. The effect of autotoxicity on cinnamylalcohol dehydrogenase and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase activity showed an initial increase followed by inhibition, resulting in reductions of 34.23% and 44.84% at 24 h, respectively. The peroxidase activity only significantly increased at 24 h, with an increase of 372%. Sixty-three differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with root suberization were identified, with KCS, HCT, and CYP family showing the highest gene abundance. GO annotated DEGs into nine categories, mainly related to binding and catalytic activity. DEGs were enriched in 27 KEGG pathways, particularly those involved in keratin, corkene, and wax biosynthesis. Seven proteins, including C4H, were centrally positioned within the protein interaction network. These findings provide insights for improving stress resistance in melons and breeding stress-tolerant varieties.

Ursolic acid inhibits the proliferation of triple­negative breast cancer stem­like cells through NRF2­mediated ferroptosis.

Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid that has been found in a broad variety of fruits, spices and medicinal plants, has various biological effects such as reducing inflammation, protecting cells from damage, and preserving brain function. However, its impact on ferroptosis in cancer stem­like cells remains unexplored. The present study investigated the effect of UA on MDA­MB­231 and BT­549 cell­derived triple­negative breast CSCs (BCSCs) and its potential ferroptosis pathway. The effects of ferroptosis on BCSCs were demonstrated by the detection of ferroptosis­related indexes including the intracellular level of glutathione, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and iron. The effects of UA on the biological behaviors of BCSCs were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit­8, stemness indexes detection and mammosphere formation assay. The mechanism of UA induction on BCSCs was explored by reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blotting. BALB/c­nude mice were subcutaneously injected with MDA­MB­231­derived BCSCs to establish xenograft models to detect the effects of UA in vivo. The results revealed that BCSCs have abnormal iron metabolism and are less susceptible to ferroptosis. UA effectively reduces the stemness traits and proliferation of BCSCs in spheroids and mice models by promoting ferroptosis. It was observed that UA stabilizes Kelch­like ECH­associated protein 1 and suppresses nuclear factor erythroid­related factor 2 (NRF2) activation. These findings suggested that the ability of UA to trigger ferroptosis through the inhibition of the NRF2 pathway could be a promising approach for treating BCSCs, potentially addressing metastasis and drug resistance in triple­negative breast cancer (TNBC). This expands the clinical applications of UA and provides a theoretical basis for its use in TNBC treatment.

Modulating built-in electric field via Bi-VO4-Fe interfacial bridges to enhance charge separation for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting on semiconductor electrodes is considered to be one of the important ways to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel, which is a great help in solving energy and environmental problems. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) as a promising photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting still suffers from poor charge separation efficiency and photo-induced self-corrosion. Herein, we develop heterojunction-rich photoanodes composed of BiVO4 and iron vanadate (FeVO4), coated with nickel iron oxide (NiFeOx/FeVO4/BiVO4). The formation of the interface between BiVO4 and FeVO4 (Bi-VO4-Fe bridges) enhances the interfacial interaction, resulting in improved performance. Meanwhile, high-conductivity FeVO4 and NiFeOx oxygen evolution co-catalysts effectively enhance bulk electron/hole separation, interface water's kinetics and photostability. Concurrently, the optimized NiFeOx/FeVO4/BiVO4 possesses a remarkable photocurrent density of 5.59 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs RHE) under AM 1.5G (Air Mass 1.5 Global) simulated sunlight, accompanied by superior stability without any decreased of its photocurrent density after 14 h. This work not only reveals the crucial role of built-in electric field in BiVO4-based photoanode during PEC water splitting, but also provides a new guide to the design of efficient photoanode for PEC.

3DOF displacement sensor based on the self-imaging effect of optical micro-gratings.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) measurement system with high performance and high integration. Here, we report a 3DOF displacement sensor based on the self-imaging effect of optical micro-gratings. The optical field distribution behind a micro-grating with a period of 3 µm is analyzed theoretically. The transmission properties of a double-grating structure are investigated in theory. In the experiment, 3DOF displacement measurement within a range of 1 mm is demonstrated. Using an interpolation circuit with a subdividing factor of 1000, displacement measurement with a theoretical resolution of 3 nm is realized. The experimental resolution is ∼8n m. An error within 2 µm is obtained experimentally within a range of 1 mm for 3DOF measurement. With a few optical components such as a beam splitter prism and beam expanders, the sensor shows potential in developing ultra-compact multi-DOF displacement measuring systems. Together with a nanometric resolution, the 3DOF displacement sensor has shown great potential in applications such as high-precision mechanical engineering and semiconductor processing.

Ameliorated Effects of Fucoidan on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Accompanying Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors in Aged C57BL/6 Mice.

Fucoidan has shown better effects on the improvement of acute ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the specific mechanisms by which fucoidan improves UC-related behavioral disorders in aged mice, especially its effect on the gut-brain axis, remain to be further explored. C57BL/6 male mice aged 8 months were gavaged with 400 or 100 mg/kg bw day fucoidan for five consecutive weeks, with UC being induced by ad libitum to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution in the fifth week. The results showed that fucoidan ameliorated UC and accompanying anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors with downregulated expressions of (NOD)-like receptor family and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 (Caspase-1) and interlekin-1ß (IL-1ß), and elevated mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and postsynaptic-density protein 95 (Psd-95) in cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, fucoidan improved the permeability of intestinal barrier and blood-brain barrier and restored the abnormal structure of the gut microbiota with a significantly decreased ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (F/B) and obviously increased abundance of Akkermansia. As a diet-derived bioactive ingredient, fucoidan might be a better alternative for the prevention of UC and accompanying anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors.

Nature-Inspired Superhydrophilic Biosponge as Structural Beneficial Platform for Sweating Analysis Patch.

Perspiration plays a pivotal role not only in thermoregulation but also in reflecting the body's internal state and its response to external stimuli. The up-to-date skin-based wearable platforms have facilitated the monitoring and simultaneous analysis of sweat, offering valuable physiological insights. Unlike conventional passive sweating, dynamic normal perspiration, which occurs during various activities and rest periods, necessitates a more reliable method of collection to accurately capture its real-time fluctuations. An innovative microfluidic patch incorporating a hierarchical superhydrophilic biosponge, poise to significantly improve the efficiency capture of dynamic sweat is introduced. The seamlessly integrated biosponge microchannel showcases exceptional absorption capabilities, efficiently capturing non-sensitive sweat exuding from the skin surface, mitigating sample loss and minimizing sweat volatilization. Furthermore, the incorporation of sweat-rate sensors alongside a suite of functional electrochemical sensors endows the patch of uninterrupted monitoring and analysis of dynamic sweat during various activities, stress events, high-energy intake, and other scenarios.

Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Based on Bisulfite-free Site-specific Methylation Identification PCR Strategy: High-Sensitivity, Accuracy, and Primary Medical Accessibility.

Due to its decade-long progression, colorectal cancer (CRC) is most suitable for population screening to achieve a significant reduction in its incidence and mortality. DNA methylation has emerged as a potential marker for the early detection of CRC. However, the current mainstream methylation detection method represented by bisulfite conversion has issues such as tedious operation, DNA damage, and unsatisfactory sensitivity. Herein, a new high-performance CRC screening tool based on the promising specific terminal-mediated polymerase chain reaction (STEM-PCR) strategy is developed. CRC-related methylation-specific candidate CpG sites are first prescreened through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases using self-developed bioinformatics. Next, 9 homebrew colorectal cancer DNA methylated STEM‒PCR assays (ColoC-mSTEM) with high sensitivity (0.1%) and high specificity are established to identify candidate sites. The clinical diagnostic performance of these selected methylation sites is confirmed and validated by a case-control study. The optimized diagnostic model has an overall sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 95.0% for detecting early-stage CRC. Taken together, ColoC-mSTEM, based on a single methylation-specific site, is a promising diagnostic approach for the early detection of CRC which is perfectly suitable for the screening needs of CRC in primary healthcare institutions.

Nanometabolomics Elucidated Biological Prospective of Mo4/3B2-x Nanosheets: Toward Metabolic Reprogramming of Amino Acid Metabolism.

Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets are newly developed, and 2D transition metal borides (MBene) were reported in 2021, but there is no report on their further applications and modification; hence, this article sheds light on the significance of potential biological prospects for future biomedical applications. Therefore, elucidation of the biocompatibility, biotoxicology, and bioactivity of Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets has been an urgent need to be fulfilled. Nanometabolomics (also referred as nanomaterials-based metabolomics) was first proposed and utilized in our previous work, which specialized in interpreting nanomaterials-induced metabolic reprogramming through aqueous metabolomics and lipidomics approach. Hence, nanometabolomics could be considered as a novel concept combining nanoscience and metabolomics to provide bioinformation on nanomaterials' biomedical applications. In this work, the safe range of concentration (<50 mg/L) with good biosafety toward human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was discovered. The low concentration (5 mg/L) and high concentration (50 mg/L) of Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets were utilized for the in vitro Mo4/3B2-x-cell interaction. Nanometabolomics has elucidated the biological prospective of Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets via monitoring its biocompatibility and metabolic shift of HUVECs. The results revealed that 50 mg/L Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets could lead to a stronger alteration of amino acid metabolism with disturbance of the corresponding amino acid-related pathways (including amino acid metabolism, amino acid degradation, fatty acid biosynthesis, and lipid biosynthesis and metabolism). These interesting results were closely involved with the oxidative stress and production of excess ROS. This work could be regarded as a pathbreaking study on Mo4/3B2-x nanosheets at a biological level, which also designates their further biochemical, medical, and industrial application and development based on nanometabolomics bioinformation.

Ultrathin Carbon Film as Ultrafast Rechargeable Cathode for Hybrid Sodium Dual-Ion Capacitor.

The development of electrochemical energy storage devices has a decisive impact on clean renewable energy. Herein, a novel ultrafast rechargeable hybrid sodium dual-ion capacitors (HSDICs) were designed by using ultrathin carbon film (UCF) as the cathode material. The ultrathin carbon film is synthesized by a simple low temperature catalytic route followed by an acid leaching process. UCF owns a large adsorption interface and numbers of additional active sites, which is due to the nitrogen doping. In addition, there existence several short-range order carbon on the surface of UCF, which is benefit for anionic storage. An ultrafast rechargeable remarkable performance, remarkable anion hybrid storage capability and outstanding structure stability is fully tapped employing UCF as cathode for HSDICs. The electrochemical performance of UCF in a half-cell system at the operating voltage between 1.0 and 4.8 V, achieving an admirable specific discharge capacity of 358.52 mAh·g-1 at 500 mA·g-1, and a high capacity retention ratio of 98.42% after cycling 2500 times at 1000 mA·g-1, respectively. Besides, with the support of ex-situ TEM and EDS mapping, the structural stability principle and anionic hybrid storage mechanism of UCF electrode are investigated deeply. In the full-cell system, HSDICs with the UCF as cathode and hard carbon as anode also presents a super-long cycle stability (80.62% capacity retention ratio after cycling 1300 times at 1000 mA·g-1).

Phosphorus deficiency alleviates iron limitation in Synechocystis cyanobacteria through direct PhoB-mediated gene regulation.

Iron and phosphorus are essential nutrients that exist at low concentrations in surface waters and may be co-limiting resources for phytoplankton growth. Here, we show that phosphorus deficiency increases the growth of iron-limited cyanobacteria (Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803) through a PhoB-mediated regulatory network. We find that PhoB, in addition to its well-recognized role in controlling phosphate homeostasis, also regulates key metabolic processes crucial for iron-limited cyanobacteria, including ROS detoxification and iron uptake. Transcript abundances of PhoB-targeted genes are enriched in samples from phosphorus-depleted seawater, and a conserved PhoB-binding site is widely present in the promoters of the target genes, suggesting that the PhoB-mediated regulation may be highly conserved. Our findings provide molecular insights into the responses of cyanobacteria to simultaneous iron/phosphorus nutrient limitation.

Solidophobic Surface for Electrochemical Extraction of High-Valued Mg(OH)2 Coupled with H2 Production from Seawater.

A significant challenge in direct seawater electrolysis is the rapid deactivation of the cathode due to the large scaling of Mg(OH)2. Herein, we synthesized a Pt-coated highly disordered NiCu alloy (Pt-NiCu alloy) electrode with superior solidophobic behavior, enabling stable hydrogen generation (100 mA cm-2, >1000 h durability) and simultaneous production of Mg(OH)2 (>99.0% purity) in electrolyte enriched with Mg2+ and Ca2+. The unconventional solidophobic property primarily stems from the high surface energy of the NiCu alloy substrate, which facilitates the adsorption of surface water and thereby compels the bulk formation of Mg(OH)2 via homogeneous nucleation. The discovery of this solidophobic electrode will revolutionarily simplify the existing techniques for seawater electrolysis and increase the economic viability for seawater electrolysis.

Construction of high-quality genomes and gene catalogue for culturable microbes of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.).

Microbes living inside or around sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) are crucial for their resistance to abiotic and biotic stress, growth, and development. Sequences of microbial genomes and genes are helpful to understand the function of these microbes. However, there is currently a lack of such knowledge in sugarcane. Here, we combined Nanopore and Illumina sequencing technologies to successfully construct the first high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and gene catalogues of sugarcane culturable microbes (GCSCMs), which contained 175 species-level genome bins (SGBs), and 7,771,501 non-redundant genes. The SGBs included 79 novel culturable bacteria genomes, and 3 bacterial genomes with nitrogen-fixing gene clusters. Four single scaffold near-complete circular MAGs (cMAGs) with 0% contamination were obtained from Nanopore sequencing data. In conclusion, we have filled a research gap in the genomes and gene catalogues of culturable microbes of sugarcane, providing a vital data resource for further understanding the genetic basis and functions of these microbes. In addition, our methodology and results can provide guidance and reference for other plant microbial genome and gene catalogue studies.

Adipose stem cells-derived small extracellular vesicles transport Thrombospondin 1 cargo to promote insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a highly prevalent disease and poses a significant risk to the health of pregnant women. Abdominal adipose tissue (AT) contributes to insulin resistance (IR) associated with GDM. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, we developed a mouse model of GDM by subjecting mice to a high-fat diet. We collected adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from the abdominal and inguinal regions and examined their role in inducing IR in normal tissues through the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). The sEVs derived from ADSCs isolated from GDM mice (ADSC/GDM) were found to inhibit cell viability and insulin sensitivity in AML12, a normal mouse liver cell line. RESULTS: Through proteomic analysis, we identified high levels of the thrombospondin 1 (Thbs1) protein in the sEVs derived from ADSC/GDM. Subsequent overexpression of Thbs1 protein in AML12 cells demonstrated similar IR as observed with ADSC/GDM-derived sEVs. Mechanistically, the Thbs1 protein within the sEVs interacted with CD36 and transforming growth factor (Tgf) ß receptors in AML12 cells, leading to the activation of Tgfß/Smad2 signaling. Furthermore, the administration of LSKL, an antagonistic peptide targeting Thbs1, suppressed Thbs1 expression in ADSC/GDM-derived sEVs, thereby restoring insulin sensitivity in AML12 cells and GDM mice in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These findings shed light on the intercellular transmission mechanism through which ADSCs influence hepatic insulin sensitivity and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the Thbs1 protein within sEVs.