Mitigating Cosmological Tensions via Momentum-Coupled Dark Sector Model

In this paper, we investigate the momentum coupling between early dark energy (EDE) and cold dark matter to alleviate cosmological tensions. EDE has exhibited promising efficacy in addressing the Hubble tension, but it exacerbates the large-scale structure tension. We consider the interaction between EDE and cold dark matter, introducing a pure momentum exchange between them to alleviate the large-scale structure tension introduced by the EDE model. We find that this coupling model is consistent with the EDE model, yielding a higher value for $H_0$, which can resolve the Hubble tension. Additionally, the new model exhibits a suppressive effect on structure growth, contributing to the alleviation of the large-scale structure tension. By utilizing the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method and incorporating various cosmological data, the coupling model constrains the best-fit values for $H_0$ to be $72.23$ km/s/Mpc and for $S_8$ to be 0.8192. Compared to the $\Lambda$CDM model, the new models have not fully resolved the large-scale structure tension. However, in contrast to the best-fit value of 0.8316 for $S_8$ obtained from the EDE model, the new model alleviates the negative impact of the EDE model.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Genome wide exploration of the origin and evolution of amino acids

Background: Even after years of exploration, the terrestrial origin of bio-molecules remains unsolved and controversial. Today, observation of amino acid composition in proteins has become an alternative way for a global understanding of the mystery encoded in whole genomes and seeking clues for the origin of amino acids. Results: In this study, we statistically monitored the frequencies of 20 alpha-amino acids in 549 taxa from three kingdoms of life: archaebacteria, eubacteria, and eukaryotes. We found that the amino acids evolved independently in these three kingdoms; but, conserved linkages were observed in two groups of amino acids, (A, G, H, L, P, Q, R, and W) and (F, I, K, N, S, and Y). Moreover, the amino acids encoded by GC-poor codons (F, Y, N, K, I, and M) were found to "lose" their usage in the development from single cell eukaryotic organisms like S. cerevisiae to H. sapiens, while the amino acids encoded by GC-rich codons (P, A, G, and W) were found to gain usage. These findings further support the co-evolution hypothesis of amino acids and genetic codes. Conclusion: We proposed a new chronological order of the appearance of amino acids (L, A, V/E/G, S, I, K, T, R/D, P, N, F, Q, Y, M, H, W, C). Two conserved evolutionary paths of amino acids were also suggested: A -> G -> R -> P and K -> Y.National Natural Science Foundation of China [20572061, 20732004]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET) of MO

KOH-mediated transition metal-free synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines

National Basic Research Program of China [2012CB821600]; Chinese National Natural Science Foundation [21173178, 20972130]; NFFTBS [J1030415, TJAB-2009-023]The various imines were prepared from alcohols and amines in moderate to good yields under an air atmosphere promoted by KOH, eliminating the need for toxic transition metal catalysts. Due to its simplicity, this protocol will have wide application in synthesis

Effect of Gradually Decreasing Photoperiod on Immune Function in Siberian Hamsters

Animals usually use photoperiod as an important environmental cue to time the year. In terms of the winter immunocompetence enhancement hypothesis, animals in the non-tropical zone would actively enhance their immune function to decrease the negative influence of stressors such as low temperature and food shortage in winter. In the present study, we mimicked the transition from summer to winter by decreasing photoperiod gradually and examined the variations of immune repsonses in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)  to test this hypothesis. Twenty two female adult hamsters were randomly divided into the control (12h light: 12h dark, Control, n=11) and the gradually decreasing photoperiod group (Experiment, n=11). In the experiment group, day length was decreased from 12 h: 12 h light-dark cycle to 8 h: 16 h light-dark cycle at the pace of half an hour per week. We found that gradually decreasing photoperiod had no effect on body composition (wet carcass mass, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and total body fat mass) and the masses of the organs detected such as brain, heart, liver and so on in hamsters. Similarly, immunological parameters including immune organs (thymus and spleen), white blood cells and serum bacteria killing capacity indicative of innate immunity were also not influenced by gradually decreasing photoperiod, which did not support the winter immunocompetence enhancement hypothesis. However, gradually decreasing photoperiod increased phytohaemagglutinin response post-24h of PHA challenge, which supported this hypothesis. There was no correlation between cellular, innate immunity and body fat mass, suggesting that body fat was not the reasons of the changes of cellular immunity. In summary, distinct components of immune system respond to gradually decreasing photoperiod differently in Siberian hamsters

Phosphorus oxychloride as an efficient coupling reagent for the synthesis of esters, amides and peptides under mild conditions

Chinese National Natural Science Foundation [21173178, 21232005]; Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and Anhui [KJ2012B145, 2012rcjj03]A mild method is described for the conversion of carboxylic acids into esters, amides, as well as peptides without racemization through carboxyl activation by the reagent combination of POCl3 and DMAP. Long chain alcohols could be converted to the corresponding ester in good yields. P-31 NMR spectrum was used to detect phosphorus-containing intermediates in ongoing reactions directly, and a possible mechanism has been proposed based on these results

Alteration of gastric microbiota and transcriptome in a rat with gastric intestinal metaplasia induced by deoxycholic acid

ObjectiveBile reflux plays a key role in the development of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM), an independent risk factor of gastric cancer. Here, we aimed to explore the biological mechanism of GIM induced by bile reflux in a rat model.MethodsRats were treated with 2% sodium salicylate and allowed to freely drink 20 mmol/L sodium deoxycholate for 12 weeks, and GIM was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Gastric microbiota was profiled according to the 16S rDNA V3–V4 region, gastric transcriptome was sequenced, and serum bile acids (BAs) were analyzed by targeted metabolomics. Spearman's correlation analysis was used in constructing the network among gastric microbiota, serum BAs, and gene profiles. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) measured the expression levels of nine genes in the gastric transcriptome.ResultsIn the stomach, deoxycholic acid (DCA) decreased the microbial diversity but promoted the abundances of several bacterial genera, such as Limosilactobacillus, Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia, and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group. Gastric transcriptome showed that the genes enriched in gastric acid secretion were significantly downregulated, whereas the genes enriched in fat digestion and absorption were obviously upregulated in GIM rats. The GIM rats had four promoted serum BAs, namely cholic acid (CA), DCA, taurocholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid. Further correlation analysis showed that the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group was significantly positively correlated with DCA and RGD1311575 (capping protein-inhibiting regulator of actin dynamics), and RGD1311575 was positively correlated with Fabp1 (fatty acid-binding protein, liver), a key gene involved in fat digestion and absorption. Finally, the upregulated expression of Dgat1 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1) and Fabp1 related to fat digestion and absorption was identified by RT-PCR and IHC.ConclusionDCA-induced GIM enhanced gastric fat digestion and absorption function and impaired gastric acid secretion function. The DCA–Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group–RGD1311575/Fabp1 axis might play a key role in the mechanism of bile reflux-related GIM