MV-mimicking micelles loaded with PEG-serine-ACP nanoparticles to achieve biomimetic intra/extra fibrillar mineralization of collagen in vitro

Since their discovery, matrix vesicles (MVs) containing minerals have received considerable attention for their role in the mineralization of bone, dentin and calcified cartilage. Additionally, MVs' association with collagen fibrils, which serve as the scaffold for calcification in the organic matrix, has been repeatedly highlighted. The primary purpose of the present study was to establish a MVs–mimicking model (PEG-S-ACP/micelle) in vitro for studying the exact mechanism of MVs-mediated extra/intra fibrillar mineralization of collagen in vivo. In this study, high-concentration serine was used to stabilize the amorphous calcium phosphate (S-ACP), which was subsequently mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form PEG-S-ACP nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were loaded in the polysorbate 80 micelle through a micelle self-assembly process in an aqueous environment. This MVs–mimicking model is referred to as the PEG-S-ACP/micelle model. By adjusting the pH and surface tension of the PEG-S-ACP/micelle, two forms of minerals (crystalline mineral nodules and ACP nanoparticles) were released to achieve the extrafibrillar and intrafibrillar mineralization, respectively. This in vitro mineralization process reproduced the mineral nodules mediating in vivo extrafibrillar mineralization and provided key insights into a possible mechanism of biomineralization by which in vivo intrafibrillar mineralization could be induced by ACP nanoparticles released from MVs. Also, the PEG-S-ACP/micelle model provides a promising methodology to prepare mineralized collagen scaffolds for repairing bone defects in bone tissue engineering.     

Nutrient responses to the liming of lake Gårdsjön

The acidified lakes Lake Gårdsjön and Lake Stora Hästevatten the reference lake have been monitored since 1979 and 1980 respectively. The lakes are situated in SW Sweden; in an area severly affected by acid deposition. Lake Gårdsjön was limed in spring 1982. This paper analyses changes in nutrient concentrations upon liming of Lake Gårdsjön. The liming of Lake Gårdsjön was followed by a slight increase in ammonium, nitrate, and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations. A drastic decrease occurred in particulate nitrogen and particulate carbon, whereas dissolved organic carbon increased. Total phosphorus and particulate phosphorus concentrations were similar to pre-limed conditions. The long-term decrease in phosphorus concentration, exhibited by the reference lake, was not identified in Lake Gårdsjön after liming, but total phosphorus concentration was still less than half compared to Lake Gårdsjön in the early 1970's. Additional measures such as phosphorus fertilization, should in certain cases be considered in addition to liming if the goal is to restore lakes to their pre-acidic conditions.     

Impact of High Deductible Health Plans on Diabetes Care Quality and Outcomes: Systematic Review

ObjectiveTo provide a review of the impact of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) on the utilizations of services required for optimal management of diabetes and subsequent health outcomes.MethodsSystematic literature review of studies published between January 1, 2000, and May 7, 2021, was conducted that examined the impact of HDHP on diabetes monitoring (eg, recommended laboratory and surveillance testing), routine care (eg, ambulatory appointments), medication management (eg, medication initiation, adherence), and acute health care utilization (eg, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, incident complications).ResultsOf the 303 reviewed articles, 8 were relevant. These studies demonstrated that HDHPs lower spending at the expense of reduced high-value diabetes monitoring, routine care, and medication adherence, potentially contributing to the observed increases in acute health care utilization. Additionally, patient out-of-pocket costs for recommended screenings doubled, and total health care expenditures increased by 49.4% for HDHP enrollees compared with enrollees in traditional health plans. Reductions in disease monitoring and routine care and increases in acute health care utilization were greatest in lower-income patients. None of the studies examined the impact of HDHPs on access to diabetes self-management education, technology use, or glycemic control.ConclusionAlthough HDHPs reduce some health care utilization and costs, they appear to do so at the expense of limiting high-value care and medication adherence. Policymakers, providers, and payers should be more cognizant of the potential for negative consequences of HDHPs on patients’ health.     

Kinetic and proteolytic identification of heat-induced conformational changes in the urea herbicide binding site of isolated Phaseolus vulgaris chloroplast thylakoids

Kinetic parameters of 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl urea (DCMU)-induced inhibition of electron transport in chloroplast thylakoids isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Oregon 1604 were determined from analysis of a convergent, parallel electrical circuit. Through this analogue, the apparent affinity of the purported binding site for DCMU (K₁) and the relative amount of DCMU-insensitive electron transport (v^max₁/v_o) were obtained using a reiterative non-linear least squares curve-fitting procedure. Exposure of thylakoids to heat caused a gradual increase in K₁ (or decrease in the affinity of the thylakoid for DCMU) with an apparent activation energy of 134 kJ mol⁻¹. Tryptic susceptibility of a protein region regulating K₁ also decreased gradually with exposure to 45°C, suggesting that the heat-induced increase in K₁ might be due to a protein conformational change. On the other hand, thylakoid exposure to 45°C resulted in a rapid (<5 min) irreversible increase in v^max_I/v_o, which was also the apparent result of a conformational change in a region of the protein which regulates this function. These results are suggestive of the existence of differential thermal sensitivities of proteins within the thylakoids and, perhaps, of different regions within a single membrane protein.     

“绿色革命”新进展:赤霉素与氮营养双重调控的表观修饰助力水稻高产高效育种

以半矮秆育种为代表的“绿色革命”极大地提高了作物产量,但也带来氮营养利用效率降低的严重问题。“绿色革命”主要基于调控赤霉素的代谢和信号转导而实现。前期的研究发现,赤霉素信号转导关键因子DELLA蛋白通过调控GRF4而负调控氮素的吸收利用,为半矮秆品系氮利用效率低的问题提供了解决方案。最近的一项研究进一步揭示了GA信号途径与氮响应交叉互作的新机制。该研究发现水稻(Oryza sativa)NGR5是氮素调控分蘖数目的一个关键基因,其表达受氮诱导。通过招募PRC2,NGR5对D14和OsSPL14等分蘖抑制基因所在位点进行H3K27me3甲基化修饰,从而抑制其表达。而在半矮秆背景下超表达NGR5可以提高低氮水平下的水稻产量。NGR5同时也被发现为赤霉素受体GID1的一个新靶标,受到其负调控。该研究发现了调控赤霉素信号通路的新机制,并对高产高效的新一代“绿色革命”育种实践具有重要启示。     

An association between a lymphocyte antigen in sheep and the response to vaccination against the parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Lymphocyte antigens were tested in sheep which had been selected for responsiveness to vaccination against the intestinal nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. These sheep had been bred in an assortative mating programme which produced offspring designated as either “high responders” or “low responders”, with highly heritable resistance or susceptibility.Ovine lymphocyte antigen (OLA) typing antisera were obtained from parous ewes in the course of matings which produced the high and low responder flocks. A particular antigen (SY1) was found to be present in high frequency on the lymphocytes of high responder (72·2%) and in lower frequency (21·9%) on the lymphocytes of low responder rams. In ewes, the frequency for high responders was 65·7% and for low responders it was 33·5%. A similar association between the SY1 antigen and low faecal egg count was found in random-bred sheep which had been vaccinated with irradiated larvae and challenged with normal larvae. The conclusion was drawn that this lymphocyte antigen was likely to be part of the sheep major histocompatibility complex which influenced the immune response of sheep to vaccination against the parasite.     

Inhibitory factors affecting the process of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) – A mini-review

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) technology has been widely considered as a key strategy in preventing eutrophication and recognized as the advancing front of research in wastewater treatment. The key to keep its high efficiency in biological phosphorus removal is to optimize the operation and management of the system. Previous research in this field has undoubtedly improved understanding of the factors hindered overall efficiency of EBPR. However, it is obvious that much remains to be learnt. This paper attempts to review the fundamental understanding in factors inhibiting the stability and reliability of the EBPR systems in the state-of-the-art research. In view of modeling the EBPR systems, an appropriate extension of the current mechanistic models with these inhibitory factors is recommended in order to better simulate and predict the behavior of full-scale and lab-scale EBPR plants. From the perspectives of the further mechanistic and multi-factors study, the direction of denitrifying dephosphatation and granules/biofilms are also discussed. This comprehensive overview will not only help us to understand the overall mechanism of the EBPR process, but also benefit the researchers and engineers to consider all the possible factors affecting the process in the urban sewage treatment plants.     

A New Electrolyte Formulation for Securing High Temperature Cycling and Storage Performances of Na‐Ion Batteries

The Na‐ion battery is recognized as a possible alternative to the Li‐ion battery for applications where power and cost override energy density performance. However, the increasing instability of their electrolyte with temperature is still problematic. Thus, a central question remains how to design Na‐based electrolytes. Here, the discovery of a Na‐based electrolyte formulation is reported which enlists four additives (vinylene carbonate, succinonitrile, 1,3‐propane sultone, and sodium difluoro(oxalate)borate) in proper quantities that synergistically combine their positive attributes to enable a stable solid electrolyte interphase at both negative and positive electrodes surface at 55 °C. Moreover, the role of each additive that consists in producing specific NaF coatings, thin elastomers, sulfate‐based deposits, and so on via combined impedance and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy is rationalized. It is demonstrated that empirical electrolyte design rules previously established for Li‐ion technology together with theoretical guidance is vital in the quest for better Na‐based electrolytes that can be extended to other chemistries. Overall, this finding, which is implemented to 18 650 cells, widens the route to the rapid development of the Na‐ion technology based on Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃/C chemistry.     

Functional analysis of the C-terminal propeptide of keratinase from Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 and its effect on the production of keratinase in Bacillus subtilis

The keratinase from Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 is a serine protease and expressed as a pre-pro-precursor. To produce a mature and active keratinase, the propeptide must be cleaved on the C-terminal via cis or trans. In this study, to enhance the production of keratinase in Bacillus subtilis, single amino acid substitutions, single residue deletions and linkers were introduced at the C-terminus of the propeptide. The results showed that optimizing the residue of cleavage site of propeptide will affect the cleavage efficiency of propeptide, and the mature enzyme yield of Leu(P1)Ala mutant increases 50% compared with the wild-type. In addition, inserting linkers and deleting individual residues at the C-terminal of the propeptide decreases the mature keratinase production. Our results indicated that the primary structure of the C-terminus of propeptide is crucial for the mature keratinase production. Propeptide engineering at C-terminus may be an effective approach to increase the yield of keratinase.     

Identification of N5-methyl-N5-formyl-2,5,6-triamino-4-hydroxypyrimidine as a major adduct in rat liver DNA after treatment with the carcinogens, N,N-dimethylnitrosamine or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

Human Tamm-Horsfall urinary glycoprotein from an individual of the blood group Sd(a+) phenotype was tritium-labelled by treatment with galactose oxidase and sodium boro[3H]hydride and was then digested with endo-beta-galactosidase. A series of dialysable, labelled fragments was released from which a pentasaccharide was isolated that strongly inhibited the agglutination of Sd(a+) red cells by human anti-Sda serum and hence contained the Sda determinant structure. Reduction, methylation analysis and sequential exo-glycosidase digestion established the structure of the pentasaccharide as: GalNAc beta(1 leads to 4)[NeuAc(2 leads to 3)]Gal beta(1 leads to 4)GlcNAc beta(1 leads to 3)Gal