The Legendary Life of Chopin, the Revolutionary Musician in Poland: On the Film A Song to Remember

A Song to Remember is a classic work filled with romantic elements. Generally speaking, it has described the life of Chopin in 1930s and 1940s during his residence in Paris France. Chopin has experienced the spiritual conflicts between love and hatred, and between body and soul in his fight for enterprise, for love, for himself and for his country. Later, he decided to raise money by touring performance for the Patriots in bloody battle until over-fatigued to the last breath of his life. The film particularly employs flamboyant colors, magnificent scenes, dainty pictures and various techniques of montage, which is extremely entertaining and is honored as “a colorful rhapsody”. When the film was shown in 1945 with ceremony, it has touched the mind of Chinese audience, evoking people’s deep response. It has also caused “big waves” in America. Although not very long, the film has explained the maximum meaning that Chopin has bestowed to his 39-year life by music, and it has also perfectly exhibited his innocent heart to write music for the country and people he loves

Early cretaceous ridge subduction in the Shandong Peninsula, Eastern China, indicated by Laoshan A-type granite

Early Cretaceous A-type granites are widespread in the Shandong Peninsula, which can be used to elucidate the tectonic evolution of the eastern China and the destruction of the North China Craton. However, their genesis is still controversial. Several competing models, ranging from slab break-off, postorogenic extension, foundering of the lower crust and ridge subduction, were proposed. Here, we report zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock and apatite geochemical compositions of the Laoshan granite and discuss its tectonic implications. The Laoshan granite has typical characteristics of A-type granite with high FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) ratios (0.90–0.97) and 10000*Ga/Al ratios (2.70–3.36) and high total alkali (Na2O + K2O: 7.95–8.70 wt%) contents and Zr+Nb+Ce+Y (most >350 ppm) concentrations. The Laoshan granite is further classified as A1-type based on the Yb/Ta-Y/Nb and Ce/Nb-Y/Nb diagrams and the Nb-Y-3Ga and Nb-Y-Ce triangular discriminant diagrams. Zircon U–Pb dating of two Laoshan granite samples yielded emplacement ages of 117.8 ± 1.0 Ma and 120.1 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. The oxygen fugacity of the Laoshan granite magma is low, as indicated by zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios (most <300). The crystallization temperature of zircon varies significantly, ranging from 652 to 830°C. The apatite compositions show that the Laoshan granite has high F (2.09–2.72 wt%) and low Cl (0.01–0.09 wt%) contents, consistent with influence by fluid released from the decomposition of phengite. Apatite rare earth elements show that mantle sources are also involved in Laoshan A-type granite. Combined previous studies of A-type granitic plutons in the Shandong Province and the Lower Yangtze River belt with the drifting history of the Pacific plate, we propose that the flat subduction of the spreading ridge between the Pacific and the Izanagi plates was responsible for the formation of Laoshan A-type granite

Advances in the study of ELABELA in renal physiological functions and related diseases

ELABELA (ELA), also known as Toddler or Apela, is a novel endogenous ligand of the angiotensin receptor AT1-related receptor protein (APJ). ELA is highly expressed in human embryonic, cardiac, and renal tissues and involves various biological functions, such as embryonic development, blood circulation regulation, and maintaining body fluid homeostasis. ELA is also closely related to the occurrence and development of acute kidney injury, hypertensive kidney damage, diabetic nephropathy, renal tumors, and other diseases. Understanding the physiological role of ELA and its mechanism of action in kidney-related diseases would provide new targets and directions for the clinical treatment of kidney diseases

Tfp1 is required for ion homeostasis, fluconazole resistance and N-Acetylglucosamine utilization in Candida albicans

AbstractThe vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is crucial for the maintenance of ion homeostasis. Dysregulation of ion homeostasis affects various aspects of cellular processes. However, the importance of V-ATPase in Candida albicans is not totally clear. In this study, we demonstrated the essential roles of V-ATPase through Tfp1, a putative V-ATPase subunit. Deletion of TFP1 led to generation of an iron starvation signal and reduced total iron content, which was associated with mislocalization of Fet34p that was finally due to disorders in copper homeostasis. Furthermore, the tfp1∆/∆ mutant exhibited weaker growth and lower aconitase activity on nonfermentable carbon sources, and iron or copper addition partially rescued the growth defect. In addition, the tfp1∆/∆ mutant also showed elevated cytosolic calcium levels in normal or low calcium medium that were relevant to calcium release from vacuole. Kinetics of cytosolic calcium response to an alkaline pulse and VCX1 (VCX1 encodes a putative vacuolar Ca2+/H+ exchanger) overexpression assays indicated that the cytosolic calcium status was in relation to Vcx1 activity. Spot assay and concentration-kill curve demonstrated that the tfp1∆/∆ mutant was hypersensitive to fluconazole, which was attributed to reduced ergosterol biosynthesis and CDR1 efflux pump activity, and iron/calcium dysregulation. Interestingly, carbon source utilization tests found the tfp1∆/∆ mutant was defective for growth on N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) plate, which was associated with ATP depletion due to the decreased ability to catabolize GlcNAc. Taken together, our study gives new insights into functions of Tfp1, and provides the potential to better exploit V-ATPase as an antifungal target

Identification and characterization of a novel Δ6-fatty acid desaturase gene from Rhizopus arrhizus

AbstractA cDNA sequence putatively encoding a Δ6-fatty acid desaturase was isolated from Rhizopus arrhizus using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. Sequence analysis indicated that this cDNA sequence had an open reading frame of 1377 bp encoding 458 amino acids of 52 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity to those of fungal Δ6-fatty acid desaturases which comprised the characteristics of membrane-bound desaturases, including three conserved histidine-rich motifs and hydropathy profile. A cytochrome b5-like domain was observed at the N-terminus. To elucidate the function of this novel putative desaturase, the coding sequence was expressed heterologously in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain INVScl. The result demonstrated that the coding product of the sequence exhibited Δ6-fatty acid desaturase activity by the accumulation of γ-linolenic acid

Overexpression of the class D MADS-box gene Sl-AGL11 impacts fleshy tissue differentiation and structure in tomato fruits

MADS-box transcription factors are key elements of the genetic networks controlling flower and fruit development. Among these, the class D clade gathers AGAMOUS-like genes which are involved in seed, ovule, and funiculus development. The tomato genome comprises two class D genes, Sl-AGL11 and Sl-MBP3 , both displaying high expression levels in seeds and in central tissues of young fruits. The potential effects of Sl-AGL11 on fruit development were addressed through RNAi silencing and ectopic expression strategies. Sl-AGL11-down-regulated tomato lines failed to show obvious phenotypes except a slight reduction in seed size. In contrast, Sl-AGL11 overexpression triggered dramatic modifications of flower and fruit structure that include: the conversion of sepals into fleshy organs undergoing ethylene-dependent ripening, a placenta hypertrophy to the detriment of locular space, starch and sugar accumulation, and an extreme softening that occurs well before the onset of ripening. RNA-Seq transcriptomic profiling high-lighted substantial metabolic reprogramming occurring in sepals and fruits, with major impacts on cell wall-related genes. While several Sl-AGL11-related phenotypes are reminiscent of class C MADS-box genes (TAG1 and TAGL1), the modifications observed on the placenta and cell wall and the Sl-AGL11 expression pattern suggest an action of this class D MADS-box factor on early fleshy fruit development

A novel bacterium-like particles platform displaying antigens by new anchoring proteins induces efficacious immune responses

Bacterium-like particles (BLP) are the peptidoglycan skeleton particles of lactic acid bacteria, which have high safety, mucosal delivery efficiency, and adjuvant effect. It has been widely used in recent years in the development of vaccines. Existing anchoring proteins for BLP surfaces are few in number, so screening and characterization of new anchoring proteins are necessary. In this research, we created the OACD (C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli outer membrane protein A) to serve as an anchoring protein on the surface of BLP produced by the immunomodulatory bacteria Levilactobacillus brevis 23017. We used red fluorescent protein (RFP) to demonstrate the novel surface display system’s effectiveness, stability, and ability to be adapted to a wide range of lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, this study employed this surface display method to develop a novel vaccine (called COB17) by using the multi-epitope antigen of Clostridium perfringens as the model antigen. The vaccine can induce more than 50% protection rate against C. perfringens type A challenge in mice immunized with a single dose and has been tested through three routes. The vaccine yields protection rates of 75% for subcutaneous, 50% for intranasal, and 75% for oral immunization. Additionally, it elicits a strong mucosal immune response, markedly increasing levels of specific IgG, high-affinity IgG, specific IgA, and SIgA antibodies. Additionally, we used protein anchors (PA) and OACD simultaneous to show several antigens on the BLP surface. The discovery of novel BLP anchoring proteins may expand the possibilities for creating mucosal immunity subunit vaccines. Additionally, it may work in concert with PA to provide concepts for the creation of multivalent or multiple vaccines that may be used in clinical practice to treat complex illnesses

The chimeric repressor version of an Ethylene Response Factor(ERF) family member, Sl-ERF.B3, shows contrasting effects on tomato fruit ripening

Fruit ripening involves a complex interplay between ethylene and ripening-associated transcriptional regulators. Ethylene Response Factors (ERFs) are downstream components of ethylene signaling, known to regulate the expression of ethylene-responsive genes. Although fruit ripening is an ethylene-regulated process, the role of ERFs remains poorly understood. The role of Sl-ERF.B3 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit maturation and ripening is addressed here using a chimeric dominant repressor version (ERF.B3-SRDX). Over-expression of ERF.B3-SRDX results in a dramatic delay of the onset of ripening, enhanced climacteric ethylene production and fruit softening, and reduced pigment accumulation. Consistently, genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and in softening are up-regulated and those of carotenoid biosynthesis are down-regulated. Moreover, the expression of ripening regulators, such as RIN, NOR, CNR and HB-1, is stimulated in ERF.B3-SRDX dominant repressor fruits and the expression pattern of a number of ERFs is severely altered. The data suggest the existence of a complex network enabling interconnection between ERF genes which may account for the pleiotropic alterations in fruit maturation and² ripening. Overall, the study sheds new light on the role of Sl-ERF.B3 in the transcriptional network controlling the ripening process and uncovers a means towards uncoupling some of the main ripening-associated processes