Leucokinin and Associated Neuropeptides Regulate Multiple Aspects of Physiology and Behavior in Drosophila

Leucokinins (LKs) constitute a family of neuropeptides identified in numerous insects and many other invertebrates. LKs act on G-protein-coupled receptors that display only distant relations to other known receptors. In adult Drosophila, 26 neurons/neurosecretory cells of three main types express LK. The four brain interneurons are of two types, and these are implicated in several important functions in the fly’s behavior and physiology, including feeding, sleep–metabolism interactions, state-dependent memory formation, as well as modulation of gustatory sensitivity and nociception. The 22 neurosecretory cells (abdominal LK neurons, ABLKs) of the abdominal neuromeres co-express LK and a diuretic hormone (DH44), and together, these regulate water and ion homeostasis and associated stress as well as food intake. In Drosophila larvae, LK neurons modulate locomotion, escape responses and aspects of ecdysis behavior. A set of lateral neurosecretory cells, ALKs (anterior LK neurons), in the brain express LK in larvae, but inconsistently so in adults. These ALKs co-express three other neuropeptides and regulate water and ion homeostasis, feeding, and drinking, but the specific role of LK is not yet known. This review summarizes Drosophila data on embryonic lineages of LK neurons, functional roles of individual LK neuron types, interactions with other peptidergic systems, and orchestrating functions of LK.     

Novel energy-saving window coating based on F doped TiO2 nanocrystals with enhanced NIR shielding performance

To reduce the energy consumption of cooling in the hot summer days, searching for novel NIR shielding materials for buildings is of great value. In this report, monodispersed F doped TiO₂ nanocrystals with an average size of 8.6 nm were synthesized as novel solar shielding materials for energy-saving windows. All the products adopted an anatase TiO₂ structure. After doping of F ions, the morphology of TiO₂ was transformed from an irregular shape to a pseudospherical shape. The Raman shift and XPS depth analysis confirmed the successful doping of F⁻ ions into the lattice oxygen sites in the TiO₂ structure. The introduction of F⁻ ions generated free electrons and bulk Ti³⁺ in TiO₂ crystals, which activated a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption in the NIR region. Correspondingly, the NIR shielding performance of the TiO₂ films improved with increasing F doping amounts. The NIR shielding value of the films increased from 1.3% to 43.2% when the molar ratio of F to Ti increased from 0 to 0.3. The reason can be attributed to the enhanced NIR absorption induced by the increased electron concentration after doping of fluorine ions. The F–TiO₂ films showed superior visible transmittance (90.1–96.7%). Moreover, the F–TiO₂ films lowered the indoor temperature of the heat box by 5.3 °C in the thermal tests. Overall, the prepared F–TiO₂ nanocrystals show a great potential to be used for energy-saving windows.     

Contribution of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells to the Clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Skin Wounds

Chronic infections are considered one of the most severe problems in skin wounds, and bacteria are present in over 90% of chronic wounds. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently isolated from chronic wounds and is thought to be a cause of delayed wound healing. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, unique lymphocytes with a potent regulatory ability in various inflammatory responses, accelerate the wound healing process. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of iNKT cells in the host defense against P. aeruginosa inoculation at the wound sites. We analyzed the re-epithelialization, bacterial load, accumulation of leukocytes, and production of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. In iNKT cell–deficient (Jα18KO) mice, re-epithelialization was significantly decreased, and the number of live colonies was significantly increased, when compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice on day 7. IL-17A, and IL-22 production was significantly lower in Jα18KO mice than in WT mice on day 5. Furthermore, the administration of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a specific activator of iNKT cells, led to enhanced host protection, as shown by reduced bacterial load, and to increased production of IL-22, IL-23, and S100A9 compared that of with WT mice. These results suggest that iNKT cells promote P. aeruginosa clearance during skin wound healing.     

Novel KCND3 Variant Underlying Nonprogressive Congenital Ataxia or SCA19/22 Disrupt KV4.3 Protein Expression and K+ Currents with Variable Effects on Channel Properties

KCND3 encodes the voltage-gated potassium channel K_V4.3 that is highly expressed in the cerebellum, where it regulates dendritic excitability and calcium influx. Loss-of-function K_V4.3 mutations have been associated with dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA19/22). By targeted NGS sequencing, we identified two novel KCND3 missense variants of the K_V4.3 channel: p.S347W identified in a patient with adult-onset pure cerebellar syndrome and p.W359G detected in a child with congenital nonprogressive ataxia. Neuroimaging showed mild cerebellar atrophy in both patients. We performed a two-electrode voltage-clamp recording of K_V4.3 currents in Xenopus oocytes: both the p.G345V (previously reported in a SCA19/22 family) and p.S347W mutants exhibited reduced peak currents by 50%, while no K+ current was detectable for the p.W359G mutant. We assessed the effect of the mutations on channel gating by measuring steady-state voltage-dependent activation and inactivation properties: no significant alterations were detected in p.G345V and p.S347W disease-associated variants, compared to controls. K_V4.3 expression studies in HEK293T cells showed 53% (p.G345V), 45% (p.S347W) and 75% (p.W359G) reductions in mutant protein levels compared with the wildtype. The present study broadens the spectrum of the known phenotypes and identifies additional variants for KCND3-related disorders, outlining the importance of SCA gene screening in early-onset and congenital ataxia.     

云南野生黄毛草莓的营养价值评价和香气成分分析

分析黄毛草莓的果实品质和香气成分并对比其他栽培品种的差异，为其品质特性评价和香气利用奠定基础。通过直接滴定法、酸碱滴定法、福林酚法、直接法、2,6-二氯靛酚滴定法和质构仪测定法对4种草莓（黄毛草莓、密宝、哈尼、R7）的还原糖、总酸、总酚、花色苷、维生素C和硬度共6项指标进行测定，综合比较4种草莓的品质；运用顶空固相微萃取和气相色谱—质谱联用技术分析草莓果实的香气成分并做聚类分析。结果显示，在营养价值方面，黄毛草莓综合评分值仅次于哈尼排在第2位，高于密宝和R7。在果实香气方面，黄毛草莓的香气鉴定物质种类最多为83种，密宝有66种，哈尼有64种，R7有57种。在4种草莓的挥发物中，酯类是主要的挥发物（30.23%~52.70%），其中黄毛草莓的酯类相对含量最高（52.70%）。构成黄毛草莓特征香气的主要成分是香味酯：异戊酸乙酯、己酸乙酯、辛酸乙酯、乙酸辛酯、甲酸辛酯、癸酸乙酯、乙酸癸酯、香味醇反式-2-己烯-1-醇。黄毛草莓香气主成分聚类分析的结果显示，黄毛草莓和其他3个栽培品种分为两类，在香气主成分上与其他3种栽培品种存在显著差异。黄毛草莓中富含多种香精香料与洗护产品等行业所需的特殊香气成分，具有极大应用潜力。     

双相区加速冷却处理对X80管线钢组织与性能的影响

采用双相区加速冷却法(加速冷却始冷温度为700 ℃)对X80管线钢进行热处理,获得了贝氏体和铁素体(B+F)双相组织。然后通过组织表征、力学性能测试以及在3.5wt%NaCl溶液中的耐蚀性进行研究。结果表明:热处理后获得的管线钢组织由板条状贝氏体、多边形铁素体及少量马氏体/奥氏体岛组成。与热处理前相比,(B+F)双相管线钢屈强比较低,为0.65,初始加工硬化指数为0.31,均匀伸长率达8.3%,塑性显著提升;双相组织中含有52.4%的铁素体,因而耐腐蚀性明显提高。通过双相区加速冷却法获得的(B+F)两相组织在塑变过程中发生协调变形,可以适应大变形的需求,同时耐蚀性优异,为大变形管线钢实际生产提供一定的借鉴。     

早冠丝瓜406新品种的选育

早冠丝瓜406是以S4为母本、X06为父本配制而成的一代杂种.极早熟,植株主蔓分枝性强,生长性强盛;雌花节位低,首朵雌花着生于主蔓第5节~7节,采收期为播种后58 d^60 d开始;嫩瓜呈长棒形,果端较圆,果皮深绿色,单果重0.5 kg^0.9 kg,果实纵径42 cm^50 cm,横径3.7 cm^4.2 cm,前期产量为16772.0 kg/hm^2,总产量可达47447.5 kg/hm^2.适合长江流域、云贵高原及湖南地区早春设施和露地栽培.     

Two/three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide coating for porous flow distributor in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

There are drawbacks to use stainless-steel plates as a flow distributor plate in fuel cell, due to some of their properties being inferior to graphite flow distributor plates in terms of electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. To overcome these problems, many researches have been conducted to improve the properties of stainless-steel flow distributor plates through coating of carbon materials. Herein, two-dimensional Web-like graphene (WG) and self-assembled three-dimensional graphene (STG) are coated through superheat vaporization of micro-droplet method. WG is coated in porous Ni–Cr foam and STG is constructed on the flat flow distributor plate, and they exhibit the feasibility to be applied in flow distributors. Compared to uncoated Ni–Cr foam, the performance of the PEMFC system with the graphene coated foam is enhanced remarkably. Furthermore, the flow distributor plate with the STG exhibits potential to be used directly to flow distributor.     

人参皂苷F2干预Caspase级联反应抑制H2O2诱导的细胞凋亡

本研究探讨了人参皂苷F2对H_2O_2诱导人胚肾HEK-293细胞损伤的抗凋亡作用。利用试剂盒测定凋亡细胞Caspase-6和Caspase-9活性水平,应用WesternBlot检测凋亡细胞中Bcl-2凋亡家族(Bcl-2和Bax)与Caspase凋亡家族(CleavedCaspase-3和Cleaved PARP)的蛋白表达量。H_2O_2损伤细胞后,Caspase酶活力提高,促凋亡蛋白表达提高;1.25、5、20μmol/L F2预处理损伤细胞后,Caspase-6和Caspase-9活力呈浓度依赖性降低(p0.05),当F2浓度达到20μmol/L时,Caspase-6活性降低了6.83 U/mg protein,Caspase-9活性降低了5.88U/mgprotein;CleavedCaspase-3和CleavedPARP蛋白表达量显著低于损伤组(p0.05),随着F2浓度的升高,Cleaved Caspase-3表达量分别下降至280.90%、232.46%、185.26%,Cleaved PARP表达量随着F2浓度升高而降低至110.36%、85.85%、61.95%;F2高浓度组的Bcl-2/Bax比值(73.94%)较损伤组比显著提升(p0.05)。表明人参皂苷F2可以抑制凋亡蛋白Caspase的活性,降低Bax促凋亡蛋白与Caspase家族上、中、下游蛋白的表达,通过调控Caspase级联反应抑制H_2O_2刺激引起的细胞凋亡。