Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Low-Temperature Stress and Brassinolide Application on the Photosynthesis and Leaf Structure of Tung Tree Seedlings

The tung tree is an important woody oil tree species. Tung oil extracted from the tung fruit seeds is used in the manufacture of environmentally friendly paint. This study investigated the effects of the application of brassinolide (BR) under different temperature conditions on the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf structure, and chloroplast ultrastructure in Vernicia fordii and Vernicia montana. The conditions used were 8°C-Control (low temperature and no BR), 8°C-BR (low temperature and BR application), 28°C-Control (normal temperature and no BR), and 28°C-BR (normal temperature and BR application), and effects were monitored from 5 to 15 days after the treatments (DAT). The results showed that the low temperature treatment (8°C-Control) significantly reduced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn ), stomatal conductance (Gs ), maximum fluorescence (Fm ), maximum photochemical efficiency (F v/F m), and actual photochemical and quantum efficiency (Φ PSII ) compared to the control condition (28°C-Control). However, the external application of BR alleviated the negative effects of low-temperature stress to some degree for all the above parameters for both species tested, except for P n and G s at 15 DAT. There were no significant differences in most of the parameters in either species between the 28°C-Control and 28°C-BR treatments. At 10 and 15 DAT of low-temperature stress, the 8°C-Control treatment significantly reduced leaf cell tense ratio (CTR) and increased spongy ratio (SR) compared to the 28°C-Control, whereas BR application alleviated the adverse effects. Moreover, the 8°C-Control treatment significantly destroyed the chloroplast structure, loosening the thylakoids until they disintegrated, while exogenous spraying of BR protected the chloroplast structure and enabled it to function properly in both species. Our results suggested that long-term low temperatures significantly reduced the photosynthetic efficiency of tung tree seedlings, affecting the formation of the internal structure of plant leaves and destroying the integrity and function of the chloroplast. To prevent this, external application of BR to tung tree seedlings could enhance the photosynthetic potential of tung trees by maintaining the stability of the leaf structure, morphology, and function, and alleviating the damage caused by cold injury. The results also showed that V. fordii seedlings are more resistant to low temperatures than V. montana seedlings.
Molecular Signatures of Neuroinflammation Induced by αSynuclein Aggregates in Microglial Cells

Alpha-synuclein (αSynAgg) are pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies that induce microglial activation and immune-mediated neurotoxicity, but the molecular mechanisms of αSynAgg-induced immune activation are poorly defined. We performed quantitative proteomics by mass spectrometry coupled with PCR, immunohistochemical and functional validations studies to define the molecular characteristics of alpha synuclein mediated microglial activation. In mouse microglia, αSynAgg induced robust pro-inflammatory activation (increased expression of 864 genes including Irg1, Ifit1, and Pyhin) and increased nuclear proteins involved in RNA synthesis, splicing, and anti-viral defense mechanisms. Conversely, αSynAgg decreased expression several proteins (including Cdc123, Sod1, and Grn), which were predominantly cytosolic and involved in metabolic, proteasomal and lysosomal mechanisms. Pathway analyses and confirmatory in vitro studies suggested that αSynAgg partly mediates its effects via Stat3 activation. As predicted by our proteomic findings, we verified that αSynAgg induces mitochondrial dysfunction in microglia. Twenty-six proteins differentially expressed by αSynAgg were also identified as PD risk genes in genome-wide association studies (upregulated: Brd2, Clk1, Siglec1; down-regulated: Memo1, Arhgap18, Fyn, and Pgrn/Grn). We validated progranulin (PGRN) as a lysosomal PD-associated protein that is downregulated by αSynAgg in microglia in-vivo and is expressed by microglia in post-mortem PD brain, congruent with our in vitro findings. Conclusion: Together, proteomics approach both reveals novel molecular insights into αSyn-mediated neuroinflammation in PD and other synucleinopathies.
Functional Analysis of Rhythmic Jaw Movements Evoked by Electrical Stimulation of the Cortical Masticatory Area During Low Occlusal Loading in Growing Rats

The maturation of rhythmic jaw movements (RJMs) and related neuromuscular control has rarely been studied in animals, though this process is essential for regulating the development of stomatognathic functions. Previous studies have shown that occlusal hypofunction during growth alters masticatory performance. However, little is known about patterns of cortically-induced RJMs under conditions of soft-diet feeding during development. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of low occlusal loading on the pattern of cortically induced RJMs and related neuromuscular responses in growing rats. Sixty-four 2-week-old male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups and fed on either a normal diet (control) or soft diet (experimental) soon after weaning. At 5, 7, 9, and 11 weeks of age, electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the right masseter and anterior digastric muscles along with corresponding kinematic images in RJMs during repetitive intracortical microstimulation of the left cortical masticatory area (CMA). Rats in both groups showed an increase in gape size and lateral excursion until 9 weeks of age. The vertical jaw movement speed in both groups showed no significant difference between 5 and 7 weeks of age but increased with age from 9 to 11 weeks. Compared to the control group, the average gape size and vertical speed were significantly lower in the experimental group, and the pattern and rhythm of the jaw movement cycle were similar between both groups at each recording age. EMG recordings showed no age-related significant differences in onset latency, duration, and peak-to-peak amplitude. Moreover, we found significantly longer onset latency, smaller peak-to-peak amplitude, and greater drop-off mean and median frequencies in the experimental group than in the control group, while there was no significant difference in the duration between groups. These findings indicate that a lack of enough occlusal function in infancy impedes the development of patterns of RJMs and delays the neuromuscular response from specific stimulation of the CMA.
Effect of Expectation on Pain Processing: A Psychophysics and Functional MRI Analysis

Pain is a complex phenomenon that is highly modifiable by expectation. Whilst the intensity of incoming noxious information plays a key role in the intensity of perceived pain, this intensity can be profoundly shaped by an individual’s expectations. Modern brain imaging investigations have begun to detail the brain regions responsible for placebo and nocebo related changes in pain, but less is known about the neural basis of stimulus-expectancy changes in pain processing. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we administered two separate protocols of the same noxious thermal stimuli to 24 healthy subjects. However, different expectations were elicited by different explanations to subjects prior to each protocol. During one protocol, pain intensities were matched to expectation and in the other protocol they were not. Pain intensity was measured continuously via a manually operated computerized visual analogue scale. When individuals expected the stimulus intensity to remain constant, but in reality it was surreptitiously increased or decreased, pain intensity ratings were significantly lower than when expectation and pain intensities were matched. When the stimulus intensities did not match expectations, various areas in the brain such as the amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and the midbrain periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) displayed significantly different patterns of activity compared to instances when stimulus intensity and pain expectations were matched. These results show that stimulus-expectancy manipulation of pain intensity alters activity in both higher brain and brainstem centers which are known to modulate pain under various conditions.
NlATG1 Gene Participates in Regulating Autophagy and Fission of Mitochondria in the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Autophagy plays multiple roles in regulating various physiological processes in cells. However, we currently lack a systematic analysis of autophagy and the autophagy-related gene 1 ATG1 in the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), one of the most destructive of the insect pests of rice. In this study, the full-length cDNA of an autophagy-related gene, NlATG1, was cloned from BPH. Real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that this NlATG1 gene was expressed differently across developmental stages, at higher levels in nymphs but lower levels in adults. RNA interference with dsNlATG1 significantly decreased the mRNA level of the target gene to 14.6% at day 4 compared with that of the dsGFP control group. The survival of the dsNlATG1-treated group decreased significantly from day 4 onward, dropping to 48.3% on day 8. Examination using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that epithelial cells of the BPH’s midgut in the dsNlATG1-treated group had less autophagic vacuoles than did the dsGFP control, and knockdown of NlATG1 clearly inhibited the starvation-induced autophagy response in this insect. RNA interference of NlATG1 upregulated the NlFis1 gene involved in mitochondrial fission, leading to reductions in mitochondrial width and area. Furthermore, knockdown of NlATG1 also decreased the ATP content and accumulation of glycogen. Together, these results demonstrate that the NlATG1 gene participates in regulating autophagy and fission of mitochondria in the brown planthopper, making it a potentially promising target for pest control given its key role in autophagy, including maintaining the normal structure and function of mitochondria.
Jagged1 and Epidermal Growth Factor Promoted Androgen-Suppressed Mouse Hair Growth In Vitro and In Vivo

Recent studies have reported that T-reg cells are intimately linked with hair follicles in a stage-dependent manner and play an important role in hair follicle cycling and regeneration in murine skin. Further study revealed that T-reg cell’s regulation of hair follicle growth is through its preferential expression of the Notch ligand Jagged‐1 (Jag1), which facilitates hair follicle regeneration. However, the role of Jag1 in androgen-suppressed hair growth is yet to be investigated. In addition, although epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a mitogen for cells including skin cells, whether it works synergistically with Jag1 to enhance hair follicle development is unknown. The current study intended to investigate effects of topical application of Jag1 on androgen-suppressed hair growth, and to determine the potential synergistic effect of EGF and Jag1 in this process in vivo. Fifty mice were depilated at the dorsal back area to achieve synchronized anagen development, and randomly divided into five groups with the following topical treatments control for 14 days; testosterone to induce androgenetic alopecia; Jagged1 (testosterone + Jagged1); EGF (testosterone + EGF); and Jagged1 + EGF (testosterone + Jagged1 + EGF). It was found that EGF and Jag1 by itself respectively, did not promote androgen-suppressed hair growth significantly. This stimulating effect was enhanced in the presence of both EGF and Jagged1 (p < 0.05). The hair growth promoting effect was accompanied by better follicle growth, which is associated with increased cell proliferation in the hair follicle and altered the expression of genes that are important in hair follicular cell proliferation and differentiation. Our results provide insights into the therapeutic potential of these peptides for androgenetic alopecia.
Qualitative Detection Toward Military and Improvised Explosive Vapors by a Facile TiO2 Nanosheet-Based Chemiresistive Sensor Array

A facile TiO2 nanosheets-based chemiresistive gas sensor array was prepared to identify 11 kinds of military and improvised explosive vapors at room temperature. The morphology of TiO2 nanosheets was well-controlled by adjusting the concentration of HF applied during the preparation. Owing to the morphology difference, the TiO2 nanosheet-based sensors show different response values toward 11 kinds of explosives, which is the basis of the successful discriminative identification. This method owes lots of advantages over other detection techniques, such as the facile preparation procedure, high response value (115.6% for TNT and 830% for PNT) at room temperature, rapid identifying properties (within 30 s for 9 explosives), simple operation, high anti-interference property, and low probability of misinforming, and consequently has a huge potential application in the qualitative detection of explosives.
Cognitive Reappraisal Facilitates Decentering: A Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Analysis Study

Previous studies have suggested that cognitive reappraisal, which is an effective emotion regulation strategy, enhances decentering. On the other hand, other studies have implied the reverse in regard to this relationship: that decentering supports cognitive reappraisal. However, these possibilities have not yet been examined empirically. In the present study, we investigated the causal relationship between decentering and cognitive reappraisal by conducting two wave cross-lagged analysis. One hundred and thirty-eight Japanese university students responded to a questionnaire comprising measures of decentering and cognitive reappraisal tendency; the questionnaire was administered on two occasions, with an interval of 1 month. Cross-lagged analysis indicated the positive effect of cognitive reappraisal on decentering; however, the reverse possibility, that decentering influences cognitive reappraisal, was not significant. These results suggested that habitual use of cognitive reappraisal fosters decentering.
LncRNA LUCRC Regulates Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth and Tumorigenesis by Targeting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and is well known for its strong invasiveness, rapid recurrence, and poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in the development of various types of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Here, through transcriptomic analysis and functional screening, we reported that lncRNA LUCRC (LncRNA Upregulated in Colorectal Cancer) is highly expressed in colorectal tumor samples and is required for colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in cultured cells and tumorigenesis in xenografts. LUCRC was found to regulate target gene expression of unfolded protein response (UPR) in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), such as BIP. The clinical significance of LUCRC is underscored by the specific presence of LUCRC in blood plasma of patients with colorectal cancers. These findings revealed a critical regulator of colorectal cancer development, which might serve as a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
Ensilability of Biomass From Effloresced Flower Strips as Co-substrate in Bioenergy Production

Flower strips are grown to an increasing degree in order to enhance the ecological value of agricultural landscapes. Depending on their profitable life span and the crop sequence, the strips’ biomass must be mulched after flowering to enable repeated tillage. A promising alternative is the use of the flower strips’ biomass as a co-substrate for biomethanisation – thereby contributing to the climate-friendly generation of energy. This potential bioenergy substrate occurs only seasonally and is commonly produced only in limited quantities at a farm scale. To realize the additional benefit of flower strips as energy suppliers, stock piling of the strips’ biomass is required. However, information about the ensilability of flower strip biomass is still rare. We conducted a 2-year study to analyze the ensilability of pure biomass from effloresced flower strips and mixtures of flower strip biomass with 33 and 67% whole crop maize, respectively. Ensiling took place in 3 l model silos at laboratory scale after chopping the substrate. Before ensiling several chemical characteristics of the biomass stock were determined to assess the substrate’s biochemical ensilability potential (dry matter content, water-soluble carbohydrates, buffering capacity, nitrate content). The process-engineered ensiling success after 90 days was determined based on fermentation patterns. The ensilability potential of the pure flower strip substrates reached modest levels (fermentability coefficients according to Weißbach vary around the threshold of 45). Nevertheless, acceptable silage qualities were achieved under the laboratory conditions (pH ranging from 4.2 to 4.7). Compared to pure flower strip biomass, the addition of maize noticeably improved both the substrate’s biochemical ensilability potential and the quality of real fermented silage. We conclude that a mixture of 33% biomass from flower strips with 67% whole crop maize can be regarded as a recommendable ratio if proper ensiling technology is applied.
Impacts of Root Metabolites on Soil Nematodes

Plant parasitic nematodes cause significant crop damage globally. Currently, many nematicides have been banned or are being phased out in Europe and other parts of the world because of environmental and human health concerns. Therefore, we need to focus on sustainable and alternative methods of nematode control to protect crops. Plant roots contain and release a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites, many of which are known defense compounds. Hence, profound understanding of the root mediated interactions between plants and plant parasitic nematodes may contribute to efficient control and management of pest nematodes. In this review, we have compiled literature that documents effects of root metabolites on plant parasitic nematodes. These chemical compounds act as either nematode attractants, repellents, hatching stimulants or inhibitors. We have summarized the few studies that describe how root metabolites regulate the expression of nematode genes. As non-herbivorous nematodes contribute to decomposition, nutrient mineralization, microbial community structuring and control of herbivorous insect larvae, we also review the impact of plant metabolites on these non-target organisms.
Ellagic Acid Activated PPAR Signaling Pathway to Protect Ileums Against Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhea in Mice: Application of Transcriptome Analysis in Drug Screening

Background Acute diarrhea is still a common and serious disease. The causes of acute diarrhea are very complicated. Therefore, we need to find a medicine to control diarrhea symptoms, save time for diagnosis of pathogens, and prevent drug abuse. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol drug, has anti-diarrhea effects. However, the action mechanisms of EA for non-specific diarrhea have not been characterized. Materials and Methods To study the mechanisms of EA, mice were divided into four groups. Group C were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml physiological saline and orally given 0.2 ml physiological saline, and then after experiment began 0.5 h, orally administered 0.3 ml physiological saline. Group D were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml physiological saline and orally given 0.2 ml castor oil, and then after experiment began 0.5 h, orally administered 0.3 ml physiological saline. Group E were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml physiological saline and orally given 0.2 ml castor oil, and then after experiment began 0.5 h, orally administered 0.3 ml EA (10 mg/ml). Group V were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1ml GW9662 (1m g/ml) and orally given 0.2 ml castor oil, and then after experiment began 0.5 h, orally administered 0.3 ml EA (10 mg/ml). Transcriptome were performed on ileum tissues of mice in group D and E. Histological examination and qRT-PCR were performed on ileum tissues of mice in group C, D, E, and V. Results We found that a total of 273 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained, including 160 up-regulated DEGs and 113 down-regulated DEGs. The DEGs were enriched in 458 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 15 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, respectively. The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway was the most significantly enriched in KEGG pathways. We used the PPAR-specific antagonist GW9662 to validate the anti-diarrhea and anti-inflammatory effect of EA in group V compared with group E. Conclusively, EA protected ileums against castor oil-induced inflammation and diarrhea by activating the PPAR signaling pathway and a method was used to study the mechanism of EA.
Identification of an SCPL Gene Controlling Anthocyanin Acylation in Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Root

Anthocyanins are natural health promoting pigments that can be produced in large quantities in some purple carrot cultivars. Decoration patterns of anthocyanins, such as acylation, can greatly influence their stability and biological properties and use in the food industry as nutraceuticals and natural colorants. Despite recent advances made toward understanding the genetic control of anthocyanin accumulation in purple carrot, the genetic mechanism controlling acylation of anthocyanin in carrot root have not been studied yet. In the present study, we performed fine mapping combined with gene expression analyses (RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR) to identify the genetic factor conditioning the accumulation of non-acylated (Cy3XGG) versus acylated (Cy3XFGG and Cy3XSGG) cyanidin derivatives, in three carrot populations. Segregation and mapping analysis pointed to a single gene with dominant effect controlling anthocyanin acylation in the root, located in a 576kb region containing 29 predicted genes. Orthologous and phylogenetic analyses enabled the identification of a cluster of three SCPL-acyltransferases coding genes within this region. Comparative transcriptome analysis indicated that only one of these three genes, DcSCPL1, was always expressed in association with anthocyanin pigmentation in the root and was co-expressed with DcMYB7, a gene known to activate anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in carrot. DcSCPL1 sequence analysis, in root tissue containing a low level of acylated anthocyanins, demonstrated the presence of an insertion causing an abnormal splicing of the 3rd exon during mRNA editing, likely resulting in the production of a non-functional acyltransferase and explaining the reduced acylation phenotype. This study provides strong linkage-mapping and functional evidences for the candidacy of DcSCPL1 as a primary regulator of anthocyanin acylation in carrot storage root.
Mismatch negativity

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a recent event-related potential to assess preattentive attention of the individuals. MMN has been gaining impetus as a measure to assess preattentive auditory discrimination. In the literature, the studies done on MMN have used different recording protocols. Various database such as Medline, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar were searched for the reference related to the MMN. The different recording and analysis procedures from the literature have been summarized in the present article.