Mechanism Of Modification Research Articles

Unlocking epigenetic breeding potential in tomato and potato

AbstractTomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum), two integral crops within the nightshade family, are crucial sources of nutrients and serve as staple foods worldwide. Molecular genetic studies have significantly advanced our understanding of their domestication, evolution, and the establishment of key agronomic traits. Recent studies have revealed that epigenetic modifications act as “molecular switches”, crucially regulating phenotypic variations essential for traits such as fruit ripening in tomatoes and tuberization in potatoes. This review summarizes the latest findings on the regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic modifications in these crops and discusses the integration of biotechnology and epigenomics to enhance breeding strategies. By highlighting the role of epigenetic control in augmenting crop yield and adaptation, we underscores its potential to address the challenges posed by a growing global population as well as changing climate.

Zwitterion Modification in Desalination Membrane for Rejecting Salt and Salt Ions in Brackish Water – A Mini Review

ABSTRACTDesalination membrane using zwitterion modification provides a significant opportunity to enhance excellent properties for rejecting salt and salt ions. The outstanding properties are designed by positive and negative charges attached to the membrane surface, including water permeability, salt permeability, fouling, and hydrophilicity of the membrane surface. The hydrophilic membrane, which is mentioned as one of the types of desalination membrane, presents the ability to repel salt and salt ions and pass the water. The modification of hydrophilic membranes is also affected by several factors, including water permeability, salt permeability, fouling of membrane surfaces, crossflow velocity, transmembrane pressure, and temperature. Regarding membrane modification, zwitterion has been applied for several ranges, such as the hemodialysis process, live cell imaging, antibacterial surfaces, and wound dressing. However, using a zwitterion modification membrane for desalinating water containing salt content, including brackish water, has yet to be developed. In addition, literature reviews related to polymer membranes for brackish water desalination have never been comprehensively documented. Thus, this review article addresses the zwitterion modification for desalination membranes, which can reject salt and salt ions in brackish water. Furthermore, the mechanism of zwitterion modification for desalination membranes has been presented. Finally, the challenge of zwitterion modification for desalination membranes has been evaluated to inspire insight for future studies.

Reconfiguring Vehicles for Drivers with Disability: A Knowledge-Based Decision Support System

Driving a car is pivotal to supporting Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) independence and quality of life. The problem of reconfiguring a vehicle to meet both the PwD’s needs and the (local or supranational) regulations is far from trivial since it requires the identification of the appropriate modifications and adaptations to be installed on the driver’s car. However, PwDs may not be acquainted with the mechanical modification, aids, and devices installed on their cars to allow them to drive, nor may they be aware of the possible configurations available. In the Italian context, this knowledge is strictly regulated by local and European regulations, which—according to the type(s) of impairments a driver has—indicate the possible configurations for the vehicles and the aids and mechanical modifications that need to be implemented. Therefore, to support PwDs in understanding the possible modification(s) their cars could undergo, a novel knowledge-based Decision Support System (DSS) was developed with the support of the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL). The DSS exploits ontological engineering to formalize the relevant information on cars’ modifications, PwDs’ impairments, and a rule engine to match candidate drivers with the (sets of) car configurations that can be installed on their vehicles. Thus, the proposed DSS can enable the drivers to acquire more insights on the types and functionalities of the driving aids they will use. It also supports INAIL in administering the “special driving license”.

Effect of waste crab shell powder on matrix asphalt

Abstract In order to solve the problems of depleting petroleum asphalt resources and deteriorating pollution of marine products, a systematic study was carried out on the application prospect of waste crab shell (WS) powder as asphalt modifier. In this study, the physical properties of WS powder modified asphalt (WSA) were tested by blending different contents of WS powder into matrix asphalt; the high and low temperature rheological properties of WS powder modified asphalt were characterized by using Dynamic shear rheometer, Bending beam rheometer, and Multiple stress creep recovery test. In addition, the microscopic chemical properties and modification mechanism were analyzed by Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy, and Scanning electron microscope. It was shown that the WS powder enhanced the viscoelastic properties, temperature sensitivity properties, and permanent deformation resistance of asphalt. In addition, there was no obvious chemical reaction between the WS powder and the matrix asphalt, and no new chemical substances were generated; at the microscopic level, the WS powder and the matrix asphalt had good compatibility. In conclusion, the use of WS powder as a bio-based asphalt modifier to improve the resources and environmental issues have certain prospects.

Transforming cancer detection and treatment with nanoflowers.

Nanoflowers, an innovative class of nanoparticles with a distinctive flower-like structure, have garnered significant interest for their straightforward synthesis, remarkable stability, and heightened efficiency. Nanoflowers demonstrate versatile applications, serving as highly sensitive biosensors for rapidly and accurately detecting conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and foodborne infections. Nanoflowers, with their intricate structure, show significant potential for targeted drug delivery and site-specific action, while also exhibiting versatility in applications such as enzyme purification, water purification from dyes and heavy metals, and gas sensing through materials like nickel oxide. This review also addresses the structural characteristics, surface modification, and operational mechanisms of nanoflowers. The nanoflowers play a crucial role in preventing premature drug leakage from nanocarriers. Additionally, the nanoflowers contribute to averting systemic toxicity and suboptimal therapy efficiency caused by hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment during chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. This review entails the role of nanoflowers in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the imminent future, the nanoflowers system is poised to revolutionize as a smart material, leveraging its exceptional surface-to-volume ratio to significantly augment adsorption efficiency across its intricate petals. This review delves into the merits and drawbacks of nanoflowers, exploring synthesis techniques, types, and their evolving applications in cancer.

Isolation and evaluation of the pathogenicity of a hybrid shiga toxin-producing and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in pigs.

Porcine pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), the globally recognized important pathogen, causes significant economic loss in the field. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) causes porcine neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), frequently carrying F4 adhesin, F18 adhesin, Heat-Stable toxin (ST), and Heat-Labile toxin (LT). Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) produces F18 adhesin and Shiga toxin type 2e (stx2e), majorly leading to systemic endothelial cell damage and edema disease. In this study, hemolytic pathogenic hybrid STEC/ETEC strains carrying ST and LT genes of ETEC and the Stx2e gene of STEC isolated from pigs with PWD in Taiwan were identified. The pathogenicity of a Taiwan hybrid STEC/ETEC strain was evaluated by oral inoculation in post-weaning pigs. Next generation sequencing and multilocus sequence typing of two hybrid Taiwan porcine STEC/ETEC isolates indicated that these two isolates were closely related to the ST88 porcine hybrid STEC/ETEC isolated from pigs with watery diarrhea. Furthermore, the two hybrid Taiwan porcine STEC/ETEC isolates also displayed combinations of multiple resistance genes encoding mechanisms for target modification and antibiotic inactivation. Animal experiments confirmed that the Taiwan hybrid STEC/ETEC could cause watery diarrhea in post-weaning pigs with no signs of edema disease and minimal histopathological lesions. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study is the first study demonstrating intestinal pathogenicity of the hybrid STEC/ETEC in pigs. The result suggests that the hybrid STEC/ETEC should be considered as a new emerging pathogen and a new target for vaccine development.

Strain and External Electric Field Engineering of S-Terminated MXene on Selective and Sensitive Detection of N-Containing Compound Gases: A Computational Study.

Gas sensors are used for monitoring hazardous gases and vapors. With the emergence of S-terminated MXene synthesis, herein, we explore the sensing ability of Ti3C2S2 toward N-containing gases, including NH3, NO, NO2, trimethylamine (TMA), and nicotine (NT), using first-principles calculations and a statistical thermodynamic model. We find that Ti3C2S2 exhibits high selectivity to TMA, NO, and NT with moderate adsorption energies of -0.610, -0.490, and -0.476 eV, respectively, minimizing environmental noise from ambient gases. The electronic structure of Ti3C2S2 subtly alters upon adsorption of TMA, NO, and NT, facilitating detectable signals in the sensing device. However, the adsorption of NO2 and NH3 is less pronounced due to weak physisorption (<0.3 eV). Employing engineering strategies including biaxial strain and an external electric field greatly enhances the selectivity and sensitivity of NO2 (NH3) detection by boosting adsorption strength up to -0.351 eV with ε = 5% (-0.370 eV with |E⃗| = 0.6 V/ Å). In addition, the moderate adsorption energies of the gases result in a suitable recovery time in the range of milliseconds, leading to high reusability of the sensing device. The estimated adsorption densities suggest potential coverage of these N-containing molecules even at low concentrations and room temperature. Computational analysis of the sensing capability of Ti3C2S2 using the nonequilibrium Green's function method indicates that it is a promising gas-sensing material. In addition, mechanical modifications, electric field adjustments, and gate voltage alterations could be used to obtain effective sensing materials for N-containing gas detection.

Modification mechanism of graphite anode in lithium-ion battery coated with ethylene tar pitch

Modification mechanism of graphite anode in lithium-ion battery coated with ethylene tar pitch

RBM15 drives the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating N6-methyladenosine-mediated LDHA mRNA stability

Abnormal N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation in RNA plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many types of tumors by influencing mRNA metabolism, alternative splicing, translocation, stability and translation. However, the specific regulators and underlying mechanisms of m6A modification in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the RNA-seq transcriptome data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and identified “m6A writer” RNA binding motif protein 15 (RBM15) expression was significantly elevated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) biopsies, and the higher RBM15 levels were correlated with the poorer overall survival (OS) of LUAD patients. Further study confirmed RBM15 was prominently expressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Moreover, silencing RBM15 in PC9 and H1299 cells reduced cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression of RBM15 in A549 cells promoted cell growth. Mechanistically, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) acted as a downstream target of RBM15. RBM15-mediated m6A modification of LDHA mRNA enhanced its stability to exert an oncogenic role in LUAD. Taken together, our findings suggest that the RBM15/LDHA axis might be a novel and promising therapeutic target for LUAD.

A cationic polyelectrolyte for enhancing dewatering of montmorillonite-containing coal slime: adsorption and modification mechanism

ABSTRACT In this study, a cationic polyelectrolyte (Poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride, PDADMAC) was introduced as a filter aid to enhance the dewatering effect of montmorillonite (MT)-containing coal slime, and compared with cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM). The dewatering performance of PDADMAC and CPAM was evaluated based on vacuum filtration experiments. The modification mechanism of PDADMAC on Mt particle surface was revealed by filter cake pore distribution, zeta potential, contact angle and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The adsorption difference between PDADMAC and CPAM on Mt surface was studied by Density Functional Theory (DFT). In addition, DLVO theory further explains the mechanism of PDADMAC enhancing dewatering from the perspective of interaction force. The optimal dosage of PDADMAC was 125 g/t, and the filter cake moisture content was reduced by 3%. Compared to CPAM, PDADMAC achieves efficient dewatering at a lower dosage. PDADMAC has a more prominent ability to neutralize charge, and its effect on interparticle interactions was a potential mechanism to promote dehydration.

Study on the preparation and modification mechanism of GO/SBR composite modified emulsified asphalt

This paper employs graphene oxide (GO) and anionic styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex as modifiers for road-emulsified asphalt. A silane coupling agent (KH550) is used to modify GO, resulting in the development of a novel GO/SBR composite-modified emulsified asphalt. A mathematical model was optimized to determine the optimal material ratio, which was verified through performance tests. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to investigate the modification mechanism. The results indicated that both the median particle size and storage stability of the GO/SBR composite-modified asphalt were enhanced, with significant improvements in mechanical properties compared to ordinary emulsified asphalt. Microscopic analysis revealed enhanced dispersion of modified GO in asphalt, and the interaction between modified GO and emulsified asphalt was determined to be purely a physical reaction. This study provides valuable insights into the application of GO in road engineering.

Study on the performance and mechanism of physicochemically modified asphalt based on spatial crosslinking by the crumb rubber and polyurethane precursor

ABSTRACT Crumb rubber (CR)-modified asphalt shows positive effects on engineering performance and environmental conservation. However, its limited compatibility with asphalt due to unstable interactions poses challenges for its application. The incorporation of polyurethane precursor-based reactive modifier (PRM) facilitates the establishment of a three-dimensional crosslinked network structure within the asphalt, thereby enhancing pavement performance and compatibility. In this study, a novel compound-modified asphalt (CPMA) was prepared with CR and PRM. The performance of CPMA was assessed using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Blend Beam Rheology (BBR) and storage stability tests. Microstructure and modification mechanism were revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Fluorescence Microscopy (FM) analyses. The results show that CPMA produced using an optimized process has better high-temperature performance and fatigue life than CR-modified asphalt (CRMA) and PRM-modified asphalt (PMA). Polar molecules, such as asphaltenes and resins, are crosslinked by the PRM to form a three-dimensional network, which enhances the thermal storage stability of CPMA. Furthermore, the flexibility and resilience of CR mitigated the low-temperature hardening of PMA. Physicochemical compound modifications provide significant advantages in terms of performance enhancement and system stability and demonstrate the potential of CR and PRM to complement and enhance their respective applications.

Performance of Bamboo Bark Fiber Asphalt Mortar Modified with Surface-Grafted Nano-SiO2

In this study, the feasibility of using bamboo bark fibers as modifiers to enhance asphalt mortar performance was investigated. Bamboo bark fibers were modified with NaOH, KH570 silane coupling agent, and nano-SiO2, and their preparation methods were established. The modified fibers were assessed for their oil absorption, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity. The asphalt mortar was evaluated for three key indicators: rutting resistance, deformation resistance, and durability at high temperatures. The microscopic morphology and modification mechanisms of the fibers were also studied. The results showed that modification with NaOH increased fiber porosity and surface roughness, while KH570 and its hydrolysis products enabled nano-SiO2 grafting onto the fibers, improving their adsorption to asphalt. The NaOH-KH570-nano-SiO2 ternary-composite-modified bamboo bark fiber (NKSBF) demonstrated superior hydrophobicity, oil absorption, and thermal stability at the asphalt mixing temperature. Among the modified fibers, asphalt mortar containing 3% NKSBF showed the best performance based on three key indicators, increased the shear strength by 96.4% and the softening point by 7.1% compared to the base asphalt, and increased the ductility by 1% compared to lignin fiber asphalt mortar. The incorporation of 3% bamboo bark fibers improved the rutting resistance, deformation resistance, and durability of short-term-aged asphalt mortar, with NKSBF showing the most significant improvement.

Strain-dependent glutathionylation of fibronectin fibers impacts mechano-chemical behavior and primes an integrin switch

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a protein polymer network that physically supports cells within a tissue. It acts as an important physical and biochemical stimulus directing cell behaviors. For fibronectin (Fn), a predominant component of the ECM, these physical and biochemical activities are inextricably linked as physical forces trigger conformational changes that impact its biochemical activity. Here, we analyze whether oxidative post-translational modifications, specifically glutathionylation, alter Fn’s mechano-chemical characteristics through stretch-dependent protein modification. ECM post-translational modifications represent a potential for time- or stimulus-dependent changes in ECM structure-function relationships that could persist over time with potentially significant impacts on cell and tissue behaviors. In this study, we show evidence that glutathionylation of Fn ECM fibers is stretch-dependent and alters Fn fiber mechanical properties with implications on the selectivity of engaging integrin receptors. These data demonstrate the existence of multimodal post-translational modification mechanisms within the ECM with high relevance to the microenvironmental regulation of downstream cell behaviors.

Complex “simple nervous systems”

Terrestrial gastropods have evolved new structures in the nervous system compared to marine and aquatic snails in order to adapt to their new habitat. The behavior of these animals is qualitatively different from the behavior of aquatic gastropods, includes not only the possibility of active interaction with other animals, but also the demonstration of interest by active approach, avoidance or escape in certain cases. The “arrow of love” used in copulation is unique to Nature. Almost all types of associative memory can be formed in these animals, consolidation and reconsolidation of memory can be demonstrated, and mechanisms of memory maintenance and modification can be analyzed. At the level of functionally identified neurons and neural clusters, it is possible to study associative processes in vitro, a 3-neural model of associative longterm changes in synaptic efficiency has been developed.

The performance prediction and mechanism study of doped DLC films by the combination of molecular dynamics and first-principles calculations

Doped DLC film is expected to be a vital surface protection material in aerospace and other important fields. However, the long experiment cycle for screening efficient dopants, premature failure caused by high residual stress, and insufficient understanding of the microscopic mechanism, seriously limit its further improvement. In this work, the performance prediction and mechanism study of doped DLC films were proposed by combining molecular dynamics (MD) and first-principles calculations, and the commonly used Si and MoS2 were selected as the typical elemental and compound dopants for investigations, respectively. MD was used to evaluate the influence of both the type of dopant and its amount on the structure and properties, including the content of sp2-C and sp3-C, hardness, elastic modulus, and friction coefficient of DLC films. First-principles calculations were performed to study the modification mechanism of Si and MoS2 dopants from a viewpoint beyond the experimental scale. This study was verified by experimental investigation and proven to make a fast prediction and screening for the doping craft of DLC films.

Emerging Orchestrator of Ecological Adaptation: m6A Regulation of Post-Transcriptional Mechanisms.

Genetic mechanisms have been at the forefront of our exploration into the substrate of adaptive evolution and phenotypic diversification. However, genetic variation only accounts for a fraction of phenotypic variation. In the last decade, the significance of RNA modification mechanisms has become more apparent in the context of organismal adaptation to rapidly changing environments. RNA m6A methylation, the most abundant form of RNA modification, is emerging as a potentially significant player in various biological processes. Despite its fundamental function to regulate other major post-transcriptional mechanisms such as microRNA and alternative splicing, its role in ecology and evolution has been understudied. This review highlights the potential importance of m6A RNA methylation in ecological adaptation, emphasising the need for further research, especially in natural systems. We focus on how m6A not only affects mRNA fate but also influences miRNA-mediated gene regulation and alternative splicing, potentially contributing to organismal adaptation. The aim of this review is to synthesise key background information to enhance our understanding of m6A mechanisms driving species survival in dynamic environments and motivate future research into the dynamics of adaptive RNA methylation.

Investigating the mechanism of METTL16-dependent m6A modification regulating the SAMD11 protein signaling pathway to inhibit thyroid cancer phenotypes

Despite substantial progress in the research and treatment of thyroid cancer, many areas in the molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. This study aims to comprehensively and deeply investigate the key role and potential molecular mechanisms of RNA methyltransferase METTL16 in the development and progression of thyroid cancer. Firstly, through bioinformatics analysis of tumor databases, we examined the correlation between METTL16 expression levels and patient prognosis. Subsequently, immunofluorescence experiments on clinical patient tissue microarrays were conducted to validate these findings. We also compared the nucleic acid and protein expression levels of METTL16 in different cell lines. By integrating bioinformatics analysis of public databases, laboratory molecular biology experiments, and comprehensive data analysis, we revealed the high expression of METTL16 in clinical tissues and thyroid cancer cells, and confirmed its role in regulating the biological characteristics of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in thyroid cancer through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, we identified SAMD11 as a target gene of METTL16 and further validated its importance and potential regulatory pathways in thyroid cancer.

Study on the effect of rare earth Ce on the modification of sulfide inclusions in U71Mn heavy rail steel

In this paper, the directional modification behavior of rare earth Ce on sulfide inclusions in steel is studied by thermodynamic calculation and experiment methods, and the mechanism of directional modification of rare earth Ce on sulfide inclusions in U71Mn heavy rail steel is proved. The results show that U71Mn heavy rail steel contained more large-sized inclusions and their distribution is more concentrated without the addition of rare earth Ce element. After the addition of rare earth Ce element, the average size of sulfur-containing inclusions in the steel decrease from 5.22 μm to 1.85 μm, and the number density of sulfur-containing inclusions in the steel increase from 83.65 mm-2 to 217.68 mm-2, indicating that the number of sulfur-containing inclusions in the steel increases after the addition of Ce element, and more small-sized sulfur-containing inclusions will form in the steel. The addition of rare earth Ce element can effectively reduce the existence of large-sized inclusions in the steel and modify large-sized inclusions into small-sized inclusions.

M7G-modified mt-tRF3b-LeuTAA regulates mitophagy and metabolic reprogramming via SUMOylation of SIRT3 in chondrocytes

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification is one of the most prevalent RNA modifications, and methyltransferase-like protein-1 (METTL1) is a key component of the m7G methyltransferase complex. METTL1-catalyzed m7G as a new RNA modification pathway that regulates RNA structure, biogenesis, and cell migration. Increasing evidence indicates that m7G modification has been implicated in the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of m7G modification remains incompletely elucidated during the progression of OA. Here we found that METTL1 and m7G levels were markedly increased in OA chondrocytes. In addition, METTL1-mediated m7G modification upregulated mt-tRF3b-LeuTAA expression to exacerbate chondrocyte degeneration. Mechanistically, mt-tRF3b-LeuTAA decreased the SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) protein expression and upregulated the level of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) SUMOylation to inhibit PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial mitophagy. Intra-articular injection of PMC-tRF3b-LeuTAA inhibitor (Polyamidoamine-polyethylene glycol surface-modified with Minimal self-peptides and Chondrocyte-affinity peptides, PMC) attenuated destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse cartilage degeneration in vivo. Our study demonstrates that METTL1/m7G/mt-tRF3b-LeuTAA axis accelerate cartilage degradation by inhibiting mitophagy and promoting mitochondrial dysfunction through SIRT3 SUMOylation, and suggest that targeting METTL1 and its downstream signaling axis could be a promising therapeutic target for OA treatment.