SD-RLK28 positively regulates pollen hydration on stigmas as a PCP-Bβ receptor in Arabidopsis thaliana

Pollen hydration on dry stigmas is strictly regulated by pollen–stigma interactions in Brassicaceae. Although several related molecular events have been described, the molecular mechanism underlying pollen hydration remains elusive. Multiple B-class pollen coat proteins(PCP-Bs) are involved in pollen hydration. Here, by analyzing the interactions of two PCP-Bs with three Arabidopsis thaliana stigmas strongly expressing S-domain receptor kinase(SD-RLK), we determined that SD-RLK28 directly intera...     

A Durable Alternative for Proton‐Exchange Membranes: Sulfonated Poly(Benzoxazole Thioether Sulfone)s

To develop a durable proton‐exchange membrane (PEM) for fuel‐cell applications, a series of sulfonated poly(benzoxazole thioether sulfone)s ( SPTESBOs) are designed and synthesized, with anticipated good dimensional stability (via acid–base cross linking), improved oxidative stability against free radicals (via incorporation of thioether groups), and enhanced inherent stability (via elimination of unstable end groups) of the backbone. The structures and the degree of sulfonation of the copolymers are characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR and ¹⁹F NMR). The electrochemical stabilities of the monomers are examined using cyclic voltammetry in a typical three‐electrode cell configuration. The physicochemical properties of the membranes vital to fuel‐cell performance are also carefully evaluated under conditions relevant to fuel‐cell operation, including chemical and thermal stability, proton conductivity, solubility in different solvents, water uptake, and swelling ratio. The new membranes exhibit low dimensional change at 25°C to 90°C and excellent thermal stability up to 250°C. Upon elimination of unstable end groups, the co‐polymers display enhanced chemical resistance and oxidative stability in Fenton's test. Further, the SPTESBO‐HFB‐60 (HFB‐60=hexafluorobenzene, 60 mol% sulfone) membrane displays comparable fuel‐cell performance to that of an NRE 212 membrane at 80°C under fully humidified condition, suggesting that the new membranes have the potential to be more durable but less expensive for fuel‐cell applications.     

Signaling involved in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-stimulated ADNP expression

Activity-dependent neurotrophic protein (ADNP) was discovered as a novel response gene for VIP and has neuroprotective potential. When the VIP paralog, PACAP38 was added to mouse neuron-glia co-cultures, it induced ADNP mRNA expression in a bimodal fashion at subpico- and nanomolar concentrations with greater response at subpicomolar level. The response was attenuated by a PAC1-R antagonist at both concentrations and by a VPAC1-R antagonist at nanomolar concentration only. An IP3/PLC inhibitor attenuated the response at both concentrations of PACAP38, but a MAPK inhibitor had no effect. A PKA inhibitor suppressed the response at nanomolar concentration only. These findings suggest that ADNP expression is mediated through multiple receptors and signaling pathways that are regulated by different concentrations of PACAP.     

Efficiency Boost in All-Small-Molecule Organic Solar Cells: Insights from the Re-Ordering Kinetics

Achieving high-performance in all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs) significantly relies on precise nanoscale phase separation through domain size manipulation in the active layer. Nonetheless, for ASM-OSC systems, forging a clear connection between the tuning of domain size and the intricacies of phase separation proves to be a formidable challenge. This study investigates the intricate interplay between domain size adjustment and the creation of optimal phase separation morphology, crucial for ASM-OSCs’ performance. It is demonstrated that exceptional phase separation in ASM-OSCs’ active layer is achieved by meticulously controlling the continuity and uniformity of domains via re-packing process. A series of halogen-substituted solvents (Fluorobenzene, Chlorobenzene, Bromobenzene, and Iodobenzene) is adopted to tune the re-packing kinetics, the ASM-OSCs treated with CB exhibited an impressive 16.2% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The PCE enhancement can be attributed to the gradual crystallization process, promoting a smoothly interconnected and uniformly distributed domain size. This, in turn, leads to a favorable phase separation morphology, enhanced charge transfer, extended carrier lifetime, and consequently, reduced recombination of free charges. The findings emphasize the pivotal role of re-packing kinetics in achieving optimal phase separation in ASM-OSCs, offering valuable insights for designing high-performance ASM-OSCs fabrication strategies.     

Modeling and dynamic assessment of urban economy–resource–environment system with a coupled system dynamics – geographic information system model

At present, environmental issues associated with rapid economic development are becoming critical concerns that arouse government's and people's particular attention. A large amount of influencing factors and especially their complicated interactions have always thrown confused insights into assessing the dynamic evolvement and sustainable development of urban economy–resource–environment (ERE) system and programming the developing strategies. A combination of system dynamics (SD) and geographic information system (GIS) is expected to explicitly understand the synergic interaction and feedback among a variety of influencing factors in time and space, since SD model can extend the spatial analysis functions of GIS to realize both dynamic simulation and trend prediction of an ERE system development. According to connotation and framework of sustainable development, this study proposes a dynamic combination method of SD–GIS to model and evaluate the urban development in Chongqing city of China suffering from depletion of resource and degradation of environment. To compare different policy inclinations with regard to potential ERE effects, typical scenarios (current, resource, technology and environment scenarios) are designed by adjusting the parameters in the model and changing the specification of some variables. Integrated assessment results indicate that the current ERE system of Chongqing is not sustainable; environment scenario is more effective to sustainable development of urban ERE system in a long run. Under the considerations of development features and regional differences, as well as regular discipline on urbanization, a coordinated combination of environmental, resource and technology scenarios is anticipated to realize sustainable development of urban ERE system.     

LOX-1 inhibition in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: modulation of MMP-1 and inflammation

A recently identified lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1) mediates endothelial cell injury and facilitates inflammatory cell adhesion. We studied the role of LOX-1 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60 min of left coronary artery (LCA) ligation, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Rats were treated with saline, LOX-1 blocking antibody JXT21 (10 mg/kg), or nonspecific anti-goat IgG (10 mg/kg) before I/R. Ten other rats underwent surgery without LCA ligation and served as a sham control group. LOX-1 expression was markedly increased during I/R (P < 0.01 vs. sham control group). Simultaneously, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and adhesion molecules (P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1) was also increased in the I/R area (P < 0.01 vs. sham control group). There was intense leukocyte accumulation in the I/R area in the saline-treated group. Treatment of rats with the LOX-1 antibody prevented I/R-induced upregulation of LOX-1 and reduced MMP-1 and adhesion molecule expression as well as leukocyte recruitment. LOX-1 antibody, but not nonspecific IgG, also reduced myocardial infarct size (P < 0.01 vs. saline-treated I/R group). To explore the link between LOX-1 and adhesion molecule expression, we measured expression of oxidative stress-sensitive p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). The activity of p38 MAPK was increased during I/R (P < 0.01 vs. sham control), and use of LOX-1 antibody inhibited p38 MAPK activation (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that myocardial I/R upregulates LOX-1 expression, which through p38 MAPK activation increases the expression of MMP-1 and adhesion molecules. Inhibition of LOX-1 exerts an important protective effect against myocardial I/R injury.