Identification of two novel single nucleotide polymorphism sites in the Myostatin (MSTN) gene and their association with carcass traits in meat-type rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

[EN] Two unknown single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in exons 1 (c.194C>T) and 2 (c.445T>A) of meat-type rabbit MSTN gene were identified in the study. Our objective was to analyse the population genetics structure of the two novel SNP sites in 230 individuals from six breeds and their associations with carcass traits of rabbits. We found that live body weight (BW), cold carcass weight (CCW), reference carcass weight (RCW), CCW percentage (PCCW) and RCW percentage (PRCW) of the rabbits with the genotype CC at the c.194C>T of exon 1 or AA at the c.445T>A of exon 2 were significantly higher than those with other genotypes. Diplotype significantly affected BW, RCW, CCW, PRCW (P<0.01) and PCCW and PCM (P<0.05). CC/AA was the advantageous diplotype for BW, RCW, CCW and PCM, and TT/AA was the advantageous diplotype for PCCW and PRCW. In contrast, TT/TT was the negative diplotype for BW, CCW, RCW, PCCW and PRCW, and TT/AA was the negative diplotype for PCM. 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Disordered materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries: A review

Disordered materials (DMs) have become promising materials in the advancement of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Their disordered, open structure is conductive to facilitate efficiency lithium-ion storage. DMs with tunable compositions also possess abundant defects that can interact with Li+, further enhancing their electrochemical performances in LIBs. Yet, revealing the structural origin of the superior electrochemical properties of DM-based LIBs remains a challenge. In this article, we review recent advances in the development of DM-based components for LIBs, such as anodes, cathodes, coating layers, and solid-state electrolytes. We give an overview on the primary methods utilized in preparing and characterizing DMs, while also describing the mechanisms involved in DM synthesis. This review article also addresses the correlation between the structural properties of DMs and their electrochemical performances. Moreover, we elucidate the challenges and future perspectives in the advancement of DM-based LIBs. We outline the key advantages of DMs in enhancing LIB performance over their crystalline counterparts, providing insights for developing superior LIBs through tailored DM development.</p

Early subretinal allograft rejection is characterized by innate immune activity

Successful subretinal transplantation is limited by considerable early graft loss, despite pharmacological suppression of adaptive immunity. We postulated that early innate immune activity is a dominant factor in determining graft survival and chose a non-immunosuppressed mouse model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell transplantation to explore this. Expression of almost all measured cytokines by DH01 RPE cells increased significantly following graft preparation and the neutrophil chemoattractant, KC/GRO/CINC, was most significantly increased. Subretinal allografts of DH01 cells (C57BL/10 origin) into healthy, non-immunosuppressed C57BL/6 murine eyes were harvested and fixed at 1, 3, 7 and 28 days post-operatively and subsequently cryosectioned and stained. Graft cells were detected using SV40 large T antigen (SV40T) immunolabeling and apoptosis/necrosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Sections were also immunolabeled for macrophage (CD11b & F4/80), neutrophil (Gr1 Ly-6G), and T-lymphocyte (CD3-ε) infiltration. Images captured with an Olympus FV1000 confocal microscope were analyzed using Imaris software. The proportion of the subretinal bolus comprising graft cells (SV40T+) was significantly (p<0.001) reduced between post-operative day (POD) 3 (90% ± 4%) and POD 7 (20% ± 7%). CD11b+, F4/80+ and Gr1 Ly-6G+ cells increased significantly (p<0.05) from POD 1 and predominated over SV40T+ cells by POD 7. Co-labeling confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated graft engulfment by neutrophils and macrophages at POD 7 and reconstruction of z-stacked confocal images confirmed SV40T inside Gr1 Ly-6G+ cells. Expression of CD3-ε was low and did not differ significantly between time-points. By POD 28, no graft cells were detectable and few inflammatory cells remained. These studies reveal for the first time a critical role for innate immune mechanisms early in subretinal graft rejection. The future success of subretinal transplantation will require more emphasis on techniques to limit innate immune-mediated graft loss, rather than focusing exclusively on suppression of the adaptive immune response

Structural Strength and Service Life of the Extrusion Forming Die for Agricultural Engine Piston Heads

Three-tier high-strength prestressed combination concave dies are designed to manifacture highpower corn combine harvester engine piston heads. This design integrates the advantages of traditional casting or hot die forging and warm extrusion. The following key parameters, viz radial dimensions of each mating layer, axial bonding and radial contact interaction, are obtained by theoretical calculation. Nonlinear analysis of the contact interaction was carried out, and the die contact condition was studied at no-load and full-load. Based on the Archard wear theory, thermomechanical bonding was studied in operation of the die. Through numerical simulation of the die wear in each operation cycle, the univariate linear regression equation of the die service life was derived, and the reliability of this equation was verified. The results show that the die contact is both stable and reliable if the radial contact interaction of the inner and outer layers is δ₂= 1.9716 mm and δ₃= 1.3870 mm, respectively. With the nitriding layer thickness of 0.24 mm, the extrusion die service life in the production of piston heads corresponds to 6357 pieces.Разработаны трехъярусные высокопрочные предварительно-напряженные многоместные вогнутые головки для изготовления днищ поршня двигателя мощного кукурузоуборочного комбайна. Конструкция соединяет в себе преимущества литья или горячей ковки и горячей экструзии. Радиальные размеры каждого соединяемого слоя, осевое сцепление и радиальное контактное взаимодействие рассчитаны теоретически. Выполнен нелинейный анализ контактного взаимодействия, изучены условия контактирования в головке при нулевой и полной нагрузке. На основании теории износа Арчарда выполнена оценка термомеханического сцепления в процессе эксплуатации головки. Путем численного моделирования износа головки в каждом рабочем цикле получено однопараметрическое уравнение линейной регрессии для срока ее службы; проверена достоверность данного уравнения. Показано, что контакт в головке устойчив и надежен, при радиальном контактном взаимодействии внутреннего и наружного слоев δ₂= 1.9716 мм и δ₃= 1.3870 мм соответственно. При толщине нитридного слоя 0,24 мм срок службы экструзионной головки в производстве днищ поршня соответствует 6357 изделиям

Characterization of a selenium-resistance-enhancing homocysteine S-methyltransferase from Aegilops tauschii

In this study, the cDNA of homocysteine S-methyltransferase was isolated from Aegilops tauschii Coss., with the gene accordingly designated as AetHMT1. Similar to other methyltransferases, AetHMT1 contains a GGCCR consensus sequence for a possible zinc-binding motif near the C-terminal and a conserved cysteine residue upstream of the zinc-binding motif. Analysis of AetHMT1 uncovered no obvious chloroplast or mitochondrial targeting sequences. We functionally expressed AetHMT1 in Escherichia coli and confirmed its biological activity, as evidenced by a positive HMT enzyme activity of 164.516 ± 17.378 nmol min−1 mg−1 protein when catalyzing the transformation of L-homocysteine. Compared with the bacterium containing the empty vector, E. coli harboring the recombinant AetHMT1 plasmid showed much higher tolerance to selenate and selenite. AetHMT1 transcript amounts in different organs were increased by Na2SeO4 treatment, with roots accumulating higher amounts than stems, old leaves and new leaves. We have therefore successfully isolated HMT1 from Ae. tauschii and characterized the biochemical and physiological functions of the corresponding protein

Development and Application of the Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films Technique for Measuring Psychiatric Pharmaceuticals in Natural Waters

Psychiatric pharmaceuticals are widely distributed in the aquatic environment and have attracted recent attention due to their potential for environmental effects. A robust and reliable in situ passive sampling approach, the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique, is developed here to measure 14 psychiatric pharmaceuticals. A new binding material, mixed-mode cation exchange resin (Poly-Sery MCX, 40 μm, CNW, Germany), was used for the first time in DGT and compared to XAD and HLB. Reliable elution efficiencies of the pharmaceuticals from the binding gels were obtained in methanol/ammonia, and diffusion coefficients for all the compounds were determined. The influence of diffusive layer thickness (0.515–2.015 mm), deployment time (3–168 h), and important environmental conditions—pH (3.02–9.45), ionic strength (0.0001–0.5 M), and dissolved organic matter (0–20 mg L–1)—were evaluated. The capacity of XAD, HLB, and MCX gels for binding all the test pharmaceuticals was ∼335 μg per disc, meaning that DGT could theoretically be deployed for over 30 months if there are no competitive effects or confounding factors. The uptake kinetics of psychiatric pharmaceuticals onto MCX gel were much faster than those onto XAD and HLB gels in the first hour. DGT measured concentrations of test pharmaceuticals at two sample points in a river (over 6 days) were comparable to those obtained by grab sampling. This study demonstrates the accuracy and reliability of DGT for measuring psychiatric pharmaceuticals across a wide range of freshwater conditions found in the natural environment

Tracking echovirus eleven outbreaks in Guangdong, China

In April 2019, a suspect cluster of enterovirus cases was reported in a neonatology department in Guangdong, China, resulting in five deaths. We aimed to investigate the pathogen profiles in fatal cases, the circulation and transmission pattern of the viruses by combining metatranscriptomic, phylogenetic, and epidemiological analyses. Metatranscriptomic sequencing was used to characterize the enteroviruses. Clinical and environmental surveillance in the local population was performed to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of the viruses in the local population. The possible source(s), evolution, transmission, and recombination of the viruses were investigated by incorporating genomes from the current outbreak, from local retrospective surveillance, and from public databases. Metatranscriptomic analysis identified Echovirus 11 (E11) in three fatal cases. Seroprevalence of neutralization antibody to E11 was 35 to 44 per cent in 3–15 age groups of general population, and the viruses were associated with various clinical symptoms. From the viral phylogeny, nosocomial transmissions were identified and all E11 2019 outbreak strains were closely related with E11 strains circulating in local population 2017–19. Frequent recombination occurred among the 2019 Guangdong E11 outbreak strains and various genotypes in enterovirus B species. This study provides an example of combining advanced genetic technology and epidemiological surveillance in pathogen diagnosis, source(s), and transmission tracing during an infectious disease outbreak. The result highlights the hidden E11 circulation and the risk of viral transmission and infection in the young age population in China. Frequent recombination between Guangdong-like strains and other enterovirus genotypes also implies the prevalence of these emerging E11 strains