Interplay between Coumarin Accumulation,Iron Deficiency and Plant Resistance to Dickeya spp.

Coumarins belong to a group of secondary metabolites well known for their high biological activities including antibacterial and antifungal properties. Recently, an important role of coumarins in plant resistance to pathogens and their release into the rhizosphere upon pathogen infection was discovered. It is also well documented that coumarins play a crucial role in the Arabidopsis thaliana growth under Fe-limited conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying interplay between plant resistance, accumulation of coumarins and Fe status, remain largely unknown. In this work, we investigated the effect of both mentioned factors on the disease severity using the model system of Arabidopsis/Dickeya spp. molecular interactions. We evaluated the disease symptoms in Arabidopsis plants, wild-type Col-0 and its mutants defective in coumarin accumulation, grown in hydroponic cultures with contrasting Fe regimes and in soil mixes. Under all tested conditions, Arabidopsis plants inoculated with Dickeya solani IFB0099 strain developed more severe disease symptoms compared to lines inoculated with Dickeya dadantii 3937. We also showed that the expression of genes encoding plant stress markers were strongly affected by D. solani IFB0099 infection. Interestingly, the response of plants to D. dadantii 3937 infection was genotype-dependent in Fe-deficient hydroponic solution.     

Induction of Tertiary Phase Epileptiform Discharges after Postasphyxial Infusion of a Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist in Preterm Fetal Sheep

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are key immunomodulatory factors that can markedly ameliorate or exacerbate hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. We recently demonstrated that central infusion of the TLR7 agonist Gardiquimod (GDQ) following asphyxia was highly neuroprotective after 3 days but not 7 days of recovery. We hypothesize that this apparent transient neuroprotection is associated with modulation of seizure-genic processes and hemodynamic control. Methods: Fetuses received sham asphyxia or asphyxia induced by umbilical cord occlusion (20.9 ± 0.5 min) and were monitored continuously for 7 days. GDQ 3.34 mg or vehicle were infused intracerebroventricularly from 1 to 4 h after asphyxia. Results: GDQ infusion was associated with sustained moderate hypertension that resolved after 72 h recovery. Electrophysiologically, GDQ infusion was associated with reduced number and burden of postasphyxial seizures in the first 18 h of recovery (p < 0.05). Subsequently, GDQ was associated with induction of slow rhythmic epileptiform discharges (EDs) from 72 to 96 h of recovery (p < 0.05 vs asphyxia + vehicle). The total burden of EDs was associated with reduced numbers of neurons in the caudate nucleus (r² = 0.61, p < 0.05) and CA1/2 hippocampal region (r² = 0.66, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that TLR7 activation by GDQ modulated blood pressure and suppressed seizures in the early phase of postasphyxial recovery, with subsequent prolonged induction of epileptiform activity. Speculatively, this may reflect delayed loss of early protection or contribute to differential neuronal survival in subcortical regions.     

3D Printing of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Based Piezoelectric Nanocomposites: An Overview

Recently, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based nanocomposites have attracted much attention for next-generation wearable applications such as promising piezoelectric energy harvesters (nanogenerators), energy storage devices, sensing devices, and biomedical devices due to their high flexibility, and high dielectric and piezoelectric properties. 3D printing technology, PVDF based piezoelectric nanocomposites, the studies based on 3D printing of PVDF based piezoelectric nanocomposites by inkjet printing and fused deposition modeling, and enhancements of energy harvesting and storage performance of nanocomposites by structural design are comprehensively overviewed here. An insight is provided into 3D printing techniques, structure and properties of PVDF based polymers, various nanofillers and production methods for nanocomposites, solutions to enhance β phase (crystallinity) of PVDF, and improvements of nanocomposites’ breakdown strength, discharged energy density, and piezoelectric power output by mentoring structural design.     

Association of IgG1 Antibody Clearance with FcγRIIA Polymorphism and Platelet Count in Infliximab-Treated Patients

The FcγRIIA/CD32A is mainly expressed on platelets, myeloid and several endothelial cells. Its affinity is considered insufficient for allowing significant binding of monomeric IgG, while its H131R polymorphism (histidine > arginine at position 131) influences affinity for multimeric IgG2. Platelet FcγRIIA has been reported to contribute to IgG-containing immune-complexe clearance. Given our finding that platelet FcγRIIA actually binds monomeric IgG, we investigated the role of platelets and FcγRIIA in IgG antibody elimination. We used pharmacokinetics analysis of infliximab (IgG1) in individuals with controlled Crohn’s disease. The influence of platelet count and FcγRIIA polymorphism was quantified by multivariate linear modelling. The infliximab half-life increased with R allele number (13.2, 14.4 and 15.6 days for HH, HR and RR patients, respectively). It decreased with increasing platelet count in R carriers: from ≈20 days (RR) and ≈17 days (HR) at 150 × 10⁹/L, respectively, to ≈13 days (both HR and RR) at 350 × 10⁹/L. Moreover, a flow cytometry assay showed that infliximab and monomeric IgG1 bound efficiently to platelet FcγRIIA H and R allotypes, whereas panitumumab and IgG2 bound poorly to the latter. We propose that infliximab (and presumably any IgG1 antibody) elimination is partly due to an unappreciated mechanism dependent on binding to platelet FcγRIIA, which is probably tuned by its affinity for IgG2.     

Investigation of the Anti-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Activity of (+)-Tanikolide- and (+)-Malyngolide-Based Analogues Prepared by Asymmetric Synthesis

Herein, we report antibacterial and antifungal evaluation of a series of previously prepared (+)-tanikolide analogues. One analogue, (4S,6S)-4-methyltanikolide, displayed promising anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity with a MIC of 12.5 µg/mL. Based on the antimicrobial properties of the structurally related (−)-malyngolide, two further analogues (4S,6S)-4-methylmalyngolide and (4R,6S)-4-methylmalyngolide bearing a shortened n-nonyl alkyl side chain were prepared in the present study using a ZrCl₄-catalysed deprotection/cyclisation as the key step in their asymmetric synthesis. When these were tested for activity against anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the MIC increased to 50 µg/mL.     

Physicochemical Properties of Palm Oil-Based Puff Pastry Model Margarines Related to Their Baking Performance in Long-Term Storage

Developing trans-free alternative fat solutions suitable for specific applications remains a challenge in edible fats and other domains. This is particularly true for palm oil-based puff pastry margarines, which suffer from post crystallization problems, leading to dramatic loss of functionality. This research is aimed at investigating the influence of triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions of palm oil-based puff pastry margarines on the physical properties of the fat crystal network, which determine the functionality of such products. Three model puff pastry margarines are produced at pilot scale under the same crystallization conditions. They share the same fatty acid composition and close solid fat content (SFC) profiles, whereas the proportions of major TAG (tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP), 1,3-di-palmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (POP), 1,2-di-palmitoyl-3-oleoylglycerol (PPO), 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoylglycerol (POO)) are different. Polymorphism, melting profile, hardness, microscopic structures, and baking performance (puffing effect) of the model fats are examined during a period of 6 months. The following results are obtained: 1) The TAG composition significantly influences the post crystallization processes occurring in palm oil-based margarines. 2) High amounts of POP show negative influences. 3) The proportions of POP, PPO, and PPP should be carefully balanced to prevent detrimental crystal network rearrangements, leading to textural modifications (hardness increase) and significant reduction in baking performance. Practical Applications : The results presented in this work could be helpful for edible fat products developers, especially for roll-in fat applications. This research provides an overview of the relevant properties to study for the assessment of puff pastry margarine functionality. It also highlights the importance of ensuring long-term stability of palm oil-based fat products. Finally, it emphasizes that certain combinations of fat materials should be avoided to maintain the quality of palm oil-based puff pastry margarines.     

新型海洋材料在储能领域的应用进展

能源与环境是世界发展的两大议题。海洋资源丰富,蕴含结构多样、性质丰富的生物质材料、矿物材料等,在储能领域展现出良好的应用前景。对新型海洋材料,如海洋生物质材料、衍生碳功能材料和海洋矿物材料等在储能领域的应用做了系统评述。海洋生物质材料自然界储量丰富、环境友好,被广泛应用于储能体系的黏结剂等功能组分;海洋生物质碳化材料富含丰富的孔隙结构,作为先进电极显示出优异的应用潜力;海底矿物材料被作为电极材料和模板材料应用于储能体系中,海底矿物的开采是其未来应用的重要技术保障。对新型海洋材料的类型以及在储能领域中的应用形式做了总结,并对海洋与能源的交叉发展做了展望,以期进一步推动新型海洋材料的可持续利用。     

微电网跟踪调度计划双层双时间尺度实时控制策略

为了提升微电网跟踪调度计划的能力,并降低分布式电源和负荷的功率波动对跟踪效果的影响,提出一种利用由超级电容和电池储能组成的混合储能系统跟踪调度计划的双层双时间尺度实时控制策略。上层基于模型预测控制方法建立日内滚动优化模型,结合分布式电源和负荷的超短期功率预测结果,综合考虑一段时域内的跟踪偏差及混合储能系统的功率和荷电状态对跟踪调度计划进行滚动优化;下层在上层优化结果的基础上,采用基于荷电状态的混合储能系统实时控制策略对超级电容和电池储能的实时功率进行协调分配,进一步降低分布式电源和负荷的实时功率波动对跟踪效果的影响。通过仿真算例对所提控制策略进行验证,结果表明:所提策略不但实现了良好的实时跟踪调度计划的控制效果,而且优化了超级电容和电池储能的荷电状态。