High levels of Bifidobacteriaceae are associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease

BackgroundThe diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and there are no biomarkers for early identification. Many studies have reported altered gut microbiota in patients with PD compared with healthy individuals. However, results from previous studies vary across countries.AimsThe aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota biomarkers that could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of PD.MethodsFirstly, the differential gut microbiota was obtained by meta-analysis, and then the results of meta-analysis were validated through metagenomic cohort. Finally, the ROC curve was drawn based on the metagenomic validation results.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed a lower relative abundance of Prevotellaceae (p < 0.00001) and Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.002), and a higher of Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.00001), Christensenellaceae (p = 0.03), Bifidobacteriaceae (p < 0.00001), and Verrucomicrobiaceae (p = 0.23) in patients with PD. Only Bifidobacteriaceae was also at high levels in the validation cohort of the metagenome. Meanwhile, three species from the Bifidobacteriaceae, including Scardovia_inopinata (p = 0.022), Bifidobacterium_dentium (p = 0.005), and Scardovia_wiggsiae (p = 0.024) were also high. The ROC curve showed that the three species (71.2%) from Bifidobacteriaceae had good predictive efficiency for PD.ConclusionElevated Bifidobacteriaceae may be associated with PD. Elevated three species from the Bifidobacteriaceae, including Scardovia_inopinata, Bifidobacterium_dentium and Scardovia_wiggsiae may provide new potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of PD

Diffusion on social networks: Survey data from rural villages in central China

Empirical studies on social diffusions are often restricted by the access to data of diffusion and social relations on the same objects. We present a set of first-hand data that we collected in ten rural villages in central China through household surveys. The dataset contains detailed and comprehensive data of the diffusion of an innovation, the major social relationships and the household level demographic characteristics in these villages. The data have been used to study peer effects in social diffusion using simulation models, “Peer Effects and Social Network: The Case of Rural Diffusion in Central China” [1]. They can also be used to estimate spatial econometric models. Data are supplied with this article. Keywords: High-value crop, Diffusion, Social networks, Rural China, Household surve

Blockchain Technology for Agriculture: Applications and Rationale

The blockchain is a ledger of accounts and transactions that are written and stored by all participants. It promises a reliable source of truth about the state of farms, inventories and contracts in agriculture, where the collection of such information is often incredibly costly. The blockchain technology can track the provenance of food and thus helps create trustworthy food supply chains and build trust between producers and consumers. As a trusted way of storing data, it facilitates the use of data-driven technologies to make farming smarter. In addition, jointly used with smart contracts, it allows timely payments between stakeholders that can be triggered by data changes appearing in the blockchain This article examines the applications of blockchain technology in food supply chains, agricultural insurance, smart farming, transactions of agricultural products for both theoretical and practical perspectives. We also discuss the challenges of recording transactions made by smallholder farmers and creating the ecosystem for utilizing the blockchain technology in the food and agriculture sector.ISSN:2624-785

Improved Electrical and Thermal Conductivities of Graphene–Carbon Nanotube Composite Film as an Advanced Thermal Interface Material

Thermal management has become a crucial issue for the rapid development of electronic devices, and thermal interface materials (TIMs) play an important role in improving heat dissipation. Recently, carbon−based TIMs, including graphene, reduced graphene oxide, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high thermal conductivity, have attracted great attention. In this work, we provide graphene−carbon nanotube composite films with improved electrical and thermal conductivities. The composite films were prepared from mixed graphene oxide (GO) and CNT solutions and then were thermally reduced at a temperature greater than 2000 K to form a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/CNT composite film. The added CNTs connect adjacent graphene layers, increase the interlayer interaction, and block the interlayer slipping of graphene layers, thereby improving the electrical conductivity, through−plane thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties of the rGO/CNT composite film at an appropriate CNT concentration. The rGO/CNT(4:1) composite film has the most desired properties with an electrical conductivity of ~2827 S/cm and an in−plane thermal conductivity of ~627 W/(m·K). The produced rGO/CNT composite film as a TIM will significantly improve the heat dissipation capability and has potential applications in thermal management of electronics

Comparative transcriptome sequencing analysis of female and male Decapterus macrosoma

Sexual growth dimorphism is a common phenomenon in teleost fish and has led to many reproductive strategies. Growth- and sex-related gene research in teleost fish would broaden our understanding of the process. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of shortfin scad Decapterus macrosoma was performed for the first time, and a high-quality reference transcriptome was constructed. After identification and assembly, a total of 58,475 nonredundant unigenes were obtained with an N50 length of 2,266 bp, and 28,174 unigenes were successfully annotated with multiple public databases. BUSCO analysis determined a level of 92.9% completeness for the assembled transcriptome. Gene expression analysis revealed 2,345 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the female and male D. macrosoma, 1,150 of which were female-biased DEGs, and 1,195 unigenes were male-biased DEGs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes including protein synthesis, growth, rhythmic processes, immune defense, and vitellogenesis. Then, we identified many growth- and sex-related genes, including Igf, Fabps, EF-hand family genes, Zp3, Zp4 and Vg. In addition, a total of 19,573 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were screened and identified from the transcriptome sequences. The results of this study can provide valuable information on growth- and sex-related genes and facilitate further exploration of the molecular mechanism of sexual growth dimorphism

A Small Subunit of Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase Functions as an Active Regulator of Carotenoid Synthesis in <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i>

As one of the most imperative antioxidants in higher plants, carotenoids serve as accessory pigments to harvest light for photosynthesis and photoprotectors for plants to adapt to high light stress. Here, we report a small subunit (SSU) of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) in Nicotiana tabacum, NtSSU II, which takes part in the regulation carotenoid biosynthesis by forming multiple enzymatic components with NtGGPPS1 and downstream phytoene synthase (NtPSY1). NtSSU II transcript is widely distributed in various tissues and stimulated by low light and high light treatments. The confocal image revealed that NtSSU II was localized in the chloroplast. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) indicated that NtSSU II and NtGGPPS1 formed heterodimers, which were able to interact with phytoene synthase (NtPSY1) to channel GGPP into the carotenoid production. CRISPR/Cas9-induced ntssu II mutant exhibited decreased leaf area and biomass, along with a decline in carotenoid and chlorophyll accumulation. Moreover, the genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis were also downregulated in transgenic plants of ntssu II mutant. Taken together, the newly identified NtSSU II could form multiple enzymatic components with NtGGPPS1 and NtPSY1 to regulate carotenoid biosynthesis in N. tabacum, in addition to the co-expression of genes in carotenoids biosynthetic pathways

Table_1_High levels of Bifidobacteriaceae are associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.docx

BackgroundThe diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and there are no biomarkers for early identification. Many studies have reported altered gut microbiota in patients with PD compared with healthy individuals. However, results from previous studies vary across countries.AimsThe aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota biomarkers that could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of PD.MethodsFirstly, the differential gut microbiota was obtained by meta-analysis, and then the results of meta-analysis were validated through metagenomic cohort. Finally, the ROC curve was drawn based on the metagenomic validation results.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed a lower relative abundance of Prevotellaceae (p ConclusionElevated Bifidobacteriaceae may be associated with PD. Elevated three species from the Bifidobacteriaceae, including Scardovia_inopinata, Bifidobacterium_dentium and Scardovia_wiggsiae may provide new potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of PD.</p

Table_2_High levels of Bifidobacteriaceae are associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.docx

BackgroundThe diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and there are no biomarkers for early identification. Many studies have reported altered gut microbiota in patients with PD compared with healthy individuals. However, results from previous studies vary across countries.AimsThe aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota biomarkers that could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of PD.MethodsFirstly, the differential gut microbiota was obtained by meta-analysis, and then the results of meta-analysis were validated through metagenomic cohort. Finally, the ROC curve was drawn based on the metagenomic validation results.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed a lower relative abundance of Prevotellaceae (p ConclusionElevated Bifidobacteriaceae may be associated with PD. Elevated three species from the Bifidobacteriaceae, including Scardovia_inopinata, Bifidobacterium_dentium and Scardovia_wiggsiae may provide new potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of PD.</p

Swimming exercise ameliorates insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver by negatively regulating PPARγ transcriptional network in mice fed high fat diet

Abstract Background Recent findings elucidated hepatic PPARγ functions as a steatogenic-inducer gene that activates de novo lipogenesis, and is involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation response. This study delved into a comprehensive analysis of how PPARγ signaling affects the exercise-induced improvement of insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), along with its underlying mechanism. Methods Chronic and acute swimming exercise intervention were conducted in each group mice. IR status was assessed by GTT and ITT assays. Serum inflammatory cytokines were detected by Elisa assays. PPARγ and its target genes expression were detected by qPCR assay. Relative protein levels were quantified via Western blotting. ChIP-qPCR assays were used to detect the enrichment of PPARγ on its target genes promoter. Results Through an exploration of a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced IR and NAFLD model, both chronic and acute swimming exercise training led to significant reductions in body weight and visceral fat mass, as well as hepatic lipid accumulation. The exercise interventions also demonstrated a significant amelioration in IR and the inflammatory response. Meanwhile, swimming exercise significantly inhibited PPARγ and its target genes expression induced by HFD, containing CD36, SCD1 and PLIN2. Furthermore, swimming exercise presented significant modulation on regulatory factors of PPARγ expression and transcriptional activity. Conclusion The findings suggest that swimming exercise can improve lipid metabolism in IR and NAFLD, possibly through PPARγ signaling in the liver of mice