GdX/UBL4A null mice exhibit mild kyphosis and scoliosis accompanied by dysregulation of osteoblastogenesis and chondrogenesis

GdX, also named ubiquitin‐like protein 4A, is a ubiquitin‐domain protein characterized by a ubiquitin‐like domain that regulates the movement of misfolded proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane to proteasome. However, its function in skeletal biology remains unclear. Here, we report that GdX plays a crucial role in skeletal development as mice lacking GdX exhibit skeletal dysplasias, mild kyphosis, and scoliosis. During embryonic stage, GdX knockout mice display decreased bone mineral density and trabecular bone accompanied by delayed osteogenic formation. GdX knockout mice also have blended spine and small body size. At the molecular level, GdX knockout mice showed perturbed expression of osteogenesis‐related genes and cartilage developmental genes, indicative of altered differentiation of mesenchymal cell lineage. Collectively, our results uncovered GdX as a novel regulator in bone development and a potential candidate gene for skeletal dysplasias.     

Partial nitrification in a sequencing batch reactor treating acrylic fiber wastewater

A sequencing batch reactor was employed to treat the acrylic fiber wastewater. The dissolved oxygen and mixed liquor suspended solids were 2–3 and 3,500–4,000 mg/L, respectively. The results showed ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) had superior growth rate at high temperature than nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Partial nitrification could be obtained with the temperature of 28 °C. When the pH value was 8.5, the nitrite-N accumulation efficiency was 82 %. The combined inhibitions of high pH and free ammonium to NOB devoted to the nitrite-N buildup. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was a key factor in partial nitrification control, and the optimal HRT was 20 h for nitrite-N buildup in acrylic fiber wastewater treatment. The ammonium oxidation was almost complete and the transformation from nitrite to nitrate could be avoided. AOB and NOB accounted for 2.9 and 4.7 %, respectively, corresponding to the pH of 7.0. When the pH was 8.5, they were 6.7 and 0.9 %, respectively. AOB dominated nitrifying bacteria, and NOB was actually washed out from the system.     

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide mitigates LPS + ATP-induced inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promoting autophagy in L02 cells

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Secretory phospholipase A2 IIa (sPLA2 IIa) catalyzes the production of multiple inflammatory mediators that influence the development of lung and other...     

Plasmonic Lens Based on Rectangular Holes

A compact plasmonic lens is proposed in this paper. This plasmonic lens consists of rectangular holes etched on the silver film and arranged on one straight line and possesses the characteristics of short focus length, ultrathin thickness, and strong focus ability. The theoretical design for the plasmonic lens abides by the constructive interference theorem, and the surface plasmon polaritons excited by the holes with linearly polarized light illumination focuses effectively. The plasmonic lenses with single and double focus spots are provided, and the simulation experiment gives the powerful verification. The distinct structure feature and the excellent focusing characteristic of this plasmonic lens are benefit for its applications in optical integration.