Whole-genome sequencing of cultivated and wild peppers provides insights into Capsicum domestication and specialization

As an economic crop, pepper satisfies people's spicy taste and has medicinal uses worldwide. To gain a better understanding of Capsicum evolution, domestication, and specialization, we present here the genome sequence of the cultivated pepper Zunla-1 (C. annuum L.) and its wild progenitor Chiltepin (C. annuum var. glabriusculum). We estimate that the pepper genome expanded similar to 0.3 Mya (with respect to the genome of other Solanaceae) by a rapid amplification of retrotransposons elements, resulting in a genome comprised of similar to 81% repetitive sequences. Approximately 79% of 3.48-Gb scaffolds containing 34,476 protein-coding genes were anchored to chromosomes by a high-density genetic map. Comparison of cultivated and wild pepper genomes with 20 resequencing accessions revealed molecular footprints of artificial selection, providing us with a list of candidate domestication genes. We also found that dosage compensation effect of tandem duplication genes probably contributed to the pungent diversification in pepper. The Capsicum reference genome provides crucial information for the study of not only the evolution of the pepper genome but also, the Solanaceae family, and it will facilitate the establishment of more effective pepper breeding programs

Balteatide: A Novel Antimicrobial Decapeptide from the Skin Secretion of the Purple-Sided Leaf Frog, <i>Phyllomedusa baltea</i>

The skin secretions of Neotropical phyllomedusine leaf frogs have proven to be a rich source of biologically active peptides, including antimicrobials. The major families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) reported are the dermaseptins and phylloseptins and the minor families are the dermatoxins, phylloxins, plasticins, distinctins, and medusins. Here, we report a novel AMP of 10 amino acid residues (LRPAILVRIKamide), named balteatide, from the skin secretion of wild Peruvian purple-sided leaf frogs, Phyllomedusa baltea. Balteatide was found to exhibit a 90% sequence identity with sauvatide, a potent myotropic peptide from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa sauvagei. However, despite both peptides exhibiting only a single amino acid difference (I/T at position 9), sauvatide is devoid of antimicrobial activity and balteatide is devoid of myotropic activity. Balteatide was found to have differential activity against the Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus; the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli; and the yeast, Candida albicans, and unusual for phyllomedusine frog skin AMPs, was most potent (MIC 32 mg/L) against the yeast. Balteatide was also devoid of haemolytic activity up to concentrations of 512 mg/L. Phyllomedusine frog skin secretions thus continue to provide novel AMPs, some of which may provide templates for the rational design of new classes of anti-infective therapeutics

Clinical application of a fixed reference line in the ultrasound quantitative diagnosis of female pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract Objective This study explored using an improved ultrasound (US) for quantitative evaluation of the degree of pelvic organ prolapse(POP). Design A transluminal probe was used to standardize ultrasound imaging of pelvic floor organ displacements. A US reference line was fixed between the lower edge of the pubic symphysis and the central axis of the pubic symphysis at a 30°counterclockwise angle. Method Points Aa, Ba, C and Bp on pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) were then compared with the points on pelvic floor ultrasound (PFUS). Results One hundred thirteen patients were included in the analysis of the standard US plane. Correlations were good in the anterior and middle compartments (PBN:Aa, ICC = 0.922; PBB:Ba, ICC = 0.923; and PC:C, ICC = 0.925), and Bland-Altman statistical maps corresponding to the average difference around the 30°horizontal line were close to 0. Correlations were poor in the posterior compartment (PRA:Bp, ICC = 0.444). However, eight (7.1%) cases of intestinal hernia and 21 (18.6%) cases of rectocele were diagnosed. Conclusions Introital PFUS using an intracavitary probe, which is gently placed at the introitus of the urethra and the vagina, may be accurately used to evaluate organ displacement. The application of a 30°horizontal line may improve the repeatability of the US diagnosis of POP

Bioengineered Neutrophil Extinguisher Targets Cascade Immune Pathways of Macrophages for Alleviating Cytokine Storm in Pneumonia

Cytokine storm is a common complication of COVID-19 pneumonia and has been proven to contribute to high mortality rates. However, current treatment approaches exhibit limited potential to balance immune response and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, leading to poor therapeutic outcomes. Herein, a smart bioengineered neutrophil, Extinguisher, composed of live neutrophils encapsulating the liposome formulation of NF-κB suppressor MLN4924 and STING inhibitor H-151 (Lip@MH), is developed for alleviating the hyperinflammatory cytokine storm. Extinguisher inherits motility and chemotaxis characteristics of neutrophils, allowing for the specific delivery and sustained release of Lip@MH within inflamed tissues. Subsequently, Lip@MH effectively transports anti-inflammatory agents into macrophages and synergistically inhibits inflammatory pathways of NF-κB and STING, leading to decreased production of cytokines. In vivo studies demonstrate that Extinguisher not only selectively accumulates at the site of pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury but inhibits the production of inflammatory factors through regulating NF-κB/STING signaling pathways, thereby effectively calming cytokine storm. Importantly, Extinguisher significantly improves therapeutic benefits and survival in mice with acute pneumonia. Therefore, Extinguisher represents an appropriate combination of cell therapy and immunoregulation for cytokine storm intervention and may bring insights into the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia

Decoding the enhanced antioxidant activities of the combined small berry pomaces by widely targeted metabolomics analysis

Small berry pomaces (SBPs) are poorly utilized as an inexpensive source of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of compounding treatment on nutritional and antioxidant characteristics of combined SBPs, in comparison with single SBP. The results showed that the amounts of protein, minerals, dietary fiber (DF) and anthocyanidins were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in combined SBPs than in combined fruits. Moreover, the combined SBPs were characterized by an elevated abundance of minerals and anthocyanidins (6 kinds, and 5 kinds, respectively), substantiating the effectiveness of compounding treatment on SBP nutrition. A total of 776 secondary phytochemicals were detected in combined SBPs by a widely targeted metabolomics approach. Each SBP contained approximately 100 kinds of unique natural antioxidants. Furthermore, the combined SBPs group had the highest antioxidant activity compared with single SBP. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities determined in combined SBPs were higher than arithmetic mean value of single SBP. The synergism and interaction of active components in different sources of SBPs play vital role in the high antioxidant capacity of combined SBPs. All the results provide reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of fruit residues. The SBPs should be highly prized for their substantial amount of nutritional and bioactive constituents, including protein, DF, essential minerals and secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites are positively associated with antioxidant benefits. The present study summarizes the knowledge about bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of combined SBPs group and discusses the relevant mechanisms. A conclusion can be educed that combined process is an effective way to improve properties of the pomaces

Bismuth doped Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-3 double perovskite as a robust fuel electrode in ceramic oxide cells for direct CO2 electrolysis

Yang M, Yao Z, Liu S, et al. Bismuth doped Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-3 double perovskite as a robust fuel electrode in ceramic oxide cells for direct CO2 electrolysis. Journal of Materials Science &amp; Technology. 2023;164:160-167.Electrochemical conversion of CO 2 to CO is an economically feasible method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Among various electrochemical approaches, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) show high potential for CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 -RR) due to their ability to operate at high temperatures, resulting in fast reaction kinetics and increased efficiency. Considering their main energy loss is still associated with the large overpotential at the fuel electrode, the development of the highly efficient and durable cathode for SOECs has been extensively searched after. Here, we propose an A-site doping strategy to enhance the properties of Sr 2 Fe 1.5 Mo 0.5 O 6 -3 (SFM), which improve its performance as a cathode in SOECs for CO 2 -RR, demonstrating favorable activity and durability. The structural and physiochemical characterizations, together with DFT calculations, show that the partial replacement of Sr by Bi in the SFM double perovskite not only improves CO 2 adsorption capability at the catalyst surface but also enhances oxygen ionic conduction inside the bulk oxide, resulting in enhanced CO 2 electrocatalysis performance in SOECs. Specifically, a La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3 -3 (LSGM) electrolyte-supported single cell with the new Bi-doped SFM cathode demonstrates a large current density of 1620 mA cm -2 at a cell potential of 1.6 V at 850 & DEG;C with good operational stability up to 200 h. Bi-doped SFM thus represents a highly promising cathode for ceramic CO 2 electrolyzers and could accelerate our transition towards a carbon-neutral society. & COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology

Hierarchically Porous CuO Hollow Spheres Fabricated via a One-Pot Template-Free Method for High-Performance Gas Sensors

CuO hollow spheres with hierarchical pores, that is, quasi-micropores (1.0–2.2 nm), mesopores (5–30 nm), and macropores (hollow cores, 2–4 μm), have been synthesized via a simple one-pot template-free method. The CuO hollow spheres also show a hierarchical architecture, namely, the primary CuO nanograins, the quasi-single-crystal nanosheets assembled by nanograins, and the spheres composed of the nanosheets. A mechanism involving an “oriented attachment” growth step followed by an “Ostwald ripening” process has been proposed for the hierarchical structure and pore formation of the typical CuO hollow spheres. With such unique hierarchical pores and architecture, the CuO hollow spheres display excellent sensing performance toward H₂S as gas sensing material, such as low detection limit of 2 ppb, high sensitivity at parts per billion level concentration, broad linear range, short response time of 3 s, and recovery time of 9 s. The excellent performance is ascribed to a synergetic effect of the hierarchical structure of the unique CuO spheres: the quasi-micropores offer active sites for effectively sensing, the mesopores facilitate the molecular diffusion kinetics, and the macropores serve as gas reservoirs and minimize diffusion length, while good conductivity of the quasi-single-crystal nanosheets favors fast charge transportation, which contribute to the high sensitivity, quick response, and recovery of the H₂S sensor, respectively