Transport Function Research Articles

Metformin targets mitochondrial complex I to lower blood glucose levels.

Metformin is among the most prescribed antidiabetic drugs, but the primary molecular mechanism by which metformin lowers blood glucose levels is unknown. Previous studies have proposed numerous mechanisms by which acute metformin lowers blood glucose, including the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I of the electron transport chain (ETC). Here, we used transgenic mice that globally express the Saccharomyces cerevisiae internal alternative NADH dehydrogenase (NDI1) protein to determine whether the glucose-lowering effect of acute oral administration of metformin requires inhibition of mitochondrial complex I of the ETC in vivo. NDI1 is a yeast NADH dehydrogenase enzyme that complements the loss of mammalian mitochondrial complex I electron transport function and is insensitive to pharmacologic mitochondrial complex I inhibitors including metformin. We demonstrate that NDI1 expression attenuates metformin's ability to lower blood glucose levels under standard chow and high-fat diet conditions. Our results indicate that acute oral administration of metformin targets mitochondrial complex I to lower blood glucose.

Functional omics of ORP7 in primary endothelial cells

BackgroundMany members of the oxysterol-binding protein-related protein (ORP) family have been characterized in detail over the past decades, but the lipid transport and other functions of ORP7 still remain elusive. What is known about ORP7 points toward an endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane-localized protein, which also interacts with GABA type A receptor-associated protein like 2 (GABARAPL2) and unlipidated Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B), suggesting a further autophagosomal/lysosomal association. Functional roles of ORP7 have been suggested in cholesterol efflux, hypercholesterolemia, and macroautophagy. We performed a hypothesis-free multi-omics analysis of chemical ORP7 inhibition utilizing transcriptomics and lipidomics as well as proximity biotinylation interactomics to characterize ORP7 functions in a primary cell type, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, assays on angiogenesis, cholesterol efflux, and lipid droplet quantification were conducted.ResultsPharmacological inhibition of ORP7 leads to an increase in gene expression related to lipid metabolism and inflammation, while genes associated with cell cycle and cell division were downregulated. Lipidomic analysis revealed increases in ceramides and lysophosphatidylcholines as well as saturated and monounsaturated triacylglycerols. Significant decreases were seen in all cholesteryl ester and in some unsaturated triacylglycerol species, compatible with the detected decrease of mean lipid droplet area. Along with the reduced lipid stores, ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1)-mediated cholesterol efflux and angiogenesis decreased. Interactomics revealed an interaction of ORP7 with AKT1, a central metabolic regulator.ConclusionsThe transcriptomics results suggest an increase in prostanoid as well as oxysterol synthesis, which could be related to the observed upregulation of proinflammatory genes. We envision that the defective angiogenesis in HUVECs subjected to ORP7 inhibition could be the result of an unfavorable plasma membrane lipid composition and/or reduced potential for cell division. To conclude, the present study suggests multifaceted functions of ORP7 in lipid homeostasis, angiogenic tube formation, and gene expression of lipid metabolism, inflammation, and cell cycle in primary endothelial cells.

Microbiome-proteome analysis of gastrointestinal microbiota and longissimus thoracis muscle proteins in cattle with high and low grades of marbling

Marbling is a key indicator of the meat quality of ruminants. Gastrointestinal microbiota may regulate the formation of marbling by influencing the nutritional metabolism of animals. This study analyzed the composition and functional differences of microbiota in the rumen and cecum, the differences in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) content in the longissimus thoracis muscle, and the differences in protein abundance in the longissimus thoracis muscle of ruminants with different marbling grades through microbiome-proteome analysis. The results showed that the diversity of gastrointestinal microbiota in high-marbling ruminants was significantly higher than that in low-marbling ruminants. The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Akkermansia in the gastrointestinal of high-marbling ruminants was higher than that in low-marbling ruminants, while the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Prevotella was lower. In addition, PICRUST2 functional prediction results of the microbiota revealed that the gastrointestinal microbiota of high-marbling ruminants was mainly involved in the biosynthesis pathways of fat and lipids. The metabolomics results showed that the content of VFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid) in the rumen of high-marbling ruminants was significantly higher than that in low-marbling ruminants. The proteome analysis results indicated that the differential proteins in the longissimus thoracis muscle of high-marbling ruminants were mainly involved in lipid transport and metabolism compared to low-marbling ruminants. In summary, the differences in the composition and function of the gastrointestinal microbiota led to higher levels of VFAs in the gastrointestinal tract of high-marbling ruminants, which provides the basis for lipid/fat synthesis. The proteome results of the longissimus thoracis muscle support the view that high-marbling ruminants have richer lipid transport and metabolic functions in their muscle.

Bacterial attachment and junctional transport function in induced apical-out polarized and differentiated canine intestinal organoids

Dogs are increasingly recognized as valuable large animal models for understanding human intestinal diseases, as they naturally develop conditions similar to those in humans, such as Enterohemorrhagic E. coli, Clostridium difficile infection, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis. Given the similarity in gut flora between dogs and humans, canine in vitro intestinal models are ideal for translational research. However, conventional extracellular matrix-embedded organoids present challenges in accessing the lumen, which is critical for gut function. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of inducing polarity reversal and differentiation in canine apical-out colonic organoids (colonoids), evaluate their barrier integrity, and visualize host-pathogen interactions. Our results demonstrated successful polarity reversal and differentiation induction while maintaining barrier integrity. Polarity reversal allowed for enhanced observation of host-pathogen interactions, facilitating visual assessments and membrane integrity evaluations using both pathogenic and nonpathogenic E. coli. This process led to the downregulation of stem cell marker LGR5 and upregulation of intestinal epithelial cell marker ALPI, indicating differentiation. Further differentiation was observed with the use of a differentiation culture medium, resulting in significant upregulation of ALPI and goblet cell marker MUC2. The findings suggest that apical-out canine colonoids can serve as physiologic and valuable models for studying the pathogenic mechanisms and clinical significance of intestinal diseases in dogs. This model has the potential to advance both canine and human gastrointestinal research, enhancing our understanding of gastrointestinal physiology and pathology and aiding in the development of novel therapeutics.

Sex differences in mitochondrial gene expression during viral myocarditis

BackgroundMyocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle most often caused by viral infections. Sex differences in the immune response during myocarditis have been well described but upstream mechanisms in the heart that might influence sex differences in disease are not completely understood.MethodsMale and female BALB/c wild type mice received an intraperitoneal injection of heart-passaged coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) or vehicle control. Bulk-tissue RNA-sequencing was conducted to better understand sex differences in CVB3 myocarditis. We performed enrichment analysis and functional validation to understand sex differences in the transcriptional landscape of myocarditis and identify factors that might drive sex differences in myocarditis.ResultsAs expected, the hearts of male and female mice with myocarditis were significantly enriched for pathways related to an innate and adaptive immune response compared to uninfected controls. Unique to this study, we found that males were enriched for inflammatory pathways and gene changes that suggested worse mitochondrial electron transport function while females were enriched for pathways related to mitochondrial homeostasis. Mitochondria isolated from the heart of males were confirmed to have worse mitochondrial respiration than females during myocarditis. Unbiased TRANSFAC analysis identified estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) as a transcription factor that may mediate sex differences in mitochondrial function during myocarditis. Transcript and protein levels of ERRα were confirmed as elevated in females with myocarditis compared to males. Differential binding analysis from chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing confirmed that ERRα bound highly to select predicted respiratory chain genes in females more than males during myocarditis.ConclusionsFemales with viral myocarditis regulate mitochondrial homeostasis by upregulating master regulators of mitochondrial transcription including ERRα.

Genome alteration of Leishmania orientalis under Amphotericin B inhibiting conditions.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a potent antifungal and antiparasitic medication that exerts its action by disrupting the cell membrane of the leishmanial parasite, leading to its death. Understanding the genetic alterations induced by Amphotericin B is crucial for gaining insights into drug resistance mechanisms and developing more effective treatments against Leishmania infections. As a new Leishmania species, the molecular response of Leishmania orientalis to anti-leishmanial drugs has not been fully explored. In this study, Leishmania orientalis strain PCM2 culture was subjected to AmB exposure at a concentration of 0.03 uM over 72 hours compared to the control. The genomic alteration and transcriptomic changes were investigated by utilising the whole genome and RNA sequencing methods, followed by the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), differential gene expression, and chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs) assessed using read depth coverage (RDC) values across the entire genome. The chromosomal CNV analysis showed no significant difference between L. orientalis from the control and AmB-treated groups. The distribution of SNPs displayed notable variability, with higher SNP incidence in the control group compared to the AmB-treated group. Gene ontology analysis unveiled functions of the SNPs -associated genes involved in transporter function, genetic precursor synthesis, and purine nucleotide metabolism. Notably, the impact of AmB treatment on the L. orientalis gene expression profiles exhibited diverse expressional alterations, particularly the downregulation of pivotal genes such as the tubulin alpha chain gene. The intricate interplay between SNPs and gene expression alterations might underscore the complex regulatory networks underlying the AmB resistance of L. orientalis strain PCM2.

Monetised sustainability impacts of integrated planning in the manufactured construction products industry: A transport perspective from New Zealand

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;">The extensive, interdisciplinary nature of construction supply chains make them prone to inefficiencies at organisational interfaces. Inefficiencies are accentuated by the project-centric delivery paradigm, and complex logistics systems between multiple stakeholders. They manifest as a multitude of concurrent activities, processes, and systems both on and off-site. Transportation is the largest component of the logistics domain. Transport operations are inherently fragmented, intrinsic to every business, while vehicle ownership and deployment is typically externalised. Differentiated waste removal and materials delivery further disintegrate the already fragmented construction supply chain. Inefficiencies from the insularity of the planning process across segmental boundaries aggregate incrementally, with impacts visible at the macro level. Re-configuration of activities, resources and actors are acknowledged strategies for optimising logistics and transportation function. This paper investigates the impact of three integration strategies on a manufactured construction products supply chain efficiency. These strategies include vertical integration of distribution, integrated planning for transport operations, and integration of reverse logistics into operations. Sustainability impacts are evaluated according to domestically determined monetary parameters in order to benchmark performance at the business and national scale.</span></p>

Coptisine enhances the sensitivity of chemoresistant breast cancer cells by inhibiting the function and expression of ABC transporters.

Multidrug resistance (MDR), mainly caused by ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCTs) efflux, makes it difficult for many anticancer drugs to treat breast cancer (BC). Phytochemicals can reverse cancer's MDR by modifying ABC transporter expression and function, as well as working synergistically with anticancer drugs to target other molecules. The reversal effect of the isoquinoline alkaloid coptisine (COP) was assessed on four breast cell lines; Two sensitive MCF-7 cell lines with positive estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors, as well as MDB-MB-231 cells with negative estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, and two doxorubicin-resistant cell lines, MCF-7/ADR and MDB-MB-231/ADR. The cytotoxicity of COP and its ability to improve doxorubicin (DOX) cytotoxicity were assessed using the MTT assay. The effectiveness of COP in reversing DOX resistance was evaluated by calculating resistance ratio (RR) values, combination index (CI), and isobologram (IB). The inhibitory effect of COP on ABCT efflux function in comparison to verapamil (VER) was evaluated by measuring the cellular accumulation of Rho123 using flow cytometry. The impact of COP, either alone or in combination with DOX, on the gene expression of ABCTs (P-gp/MDR1, BCRP, and MRP1) of investigated cell lines was assessed by RT-PCR. The COP showed modest cytotoxicity on the examined cell lines. In MCF-7/ADR and MDA-MB-231/ADR cells, COP (31μM) enhanced DOX cytotoxicity with CI (0.77 and 0.75), RR (2.58 and 3.33), and IB suggesting synergism. COP significantly inhibits ABCT function in resistant BC cell lines, increases Rho123 accumulation, and decreases efflux more than VER; 2.1 and 1.2-fold, respectively. The combination of COP and DOX had a strong inhibitory effect on ABCT function (3.1 and 3.9 times VER, P< 0.001) and downregulated the genes and protein expression of ABCT. COP reversed ABCT-mediated multidrug resistance in vitro, indicating its potential as a multidrug resistance-reversing agent in cancer chemotherapy.

Proteomics analysis in rats reveals convergent mechanisms between major depressive disorder and dietary zinc deficiency

Abstract Background Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that dietary zinc deficiency can lead to symptoms similar to those observed in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these mechanisms, we examined proteomic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HP) of rats, two critical brain regions implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Methods Rats were fed diets either adequate in zinc (ZnA, 50 mg Zn/kg) or deficient in zinc (ZnD, &lt;3 mg/kg) for four weeks. High-throughput proteomic analysis was used to detect changes in protein expression, supplemented by enzyme activity assay for mitochondrial complexes I and IV, examining their functional impacts. Results ZnD led to significant alterations in protein expression related to zinc transport and mitochondrial function. Proteomic analysis revealed changes in zinc transporter family members such as Slc30a1 (6.64 log2FC), Slc30a3 (-2.32 log2FC), Slc30a4 (2.87 log2FC), Slc30a5 (5.90 log2FC), Slc30a6 (1.50 log2FC), and Slc30a7 (2.17 log2FC) in the PFC, and Slc30a3 (-1.02 log2FC), Slc30a5 (-1.04 log2FC), and Slc30a7 (1.08 log2FC) in the HP of rats subjected to ZnD. Furthermore, ZnD significantly affected essential mitochondrial activity proteins, including Atp5pb (3.25 log2FC), Cox2 (2.28 log2FC), Atp5me (2.04 log2FC), Cyc1 (2.30 log2FC), Cox4i1 (1.23 log2FC), Cox7c (1.63 log2FC), and Cisd1 (1.55 log2FC), with a pronounced decrease in complex I activity in the PFC. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that ZnD leads to significant proteomic changes in the PFC and HP of rats. Specifically, ZnD alters the expression of zinc transporter proteins and proteins critical for mitochondrial function. The significant decrease in complex I activity in the PFC further underscores the impact of ZnD on mitochondrial function. These results highlight the molecular mechanisms by which ZnD can influence brain function and contribute to symptoms similar to those observed in depression.

Vacuolar phosphate efflux transporter ZmVPEs mediate phosphate homeostasis and remobilization in maize leaves.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Vacuoles play a crucial role in inorganic phosphate (Pi) storage and remobilization in plants. However, the physiological function of vacuolar phosphate efflux transporters in plant Pi remobilization remains obscure. Here, we identified three ZmVPE genes (ZmVPE1, ZmVPE2a, ZmVPE2b) by combining them with transcriptome and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses, showing a relatively higher expression in older leaves than in younger leaves in maize. Moreover, the expression of the ZmVPEs was triggered by Pi deficiency and abscisic acid. ZmVPEs were localized to the vacuolar membrane and responsible for vacuolar Pi efflux. Compared with the wild-type, Pi remobilization from older to younger leaves was enhanced in ZmVPE-overexpression lines. zmvpe2a mutants displayed an increase in the total P and Pi concentrations in older leaves, but a decrease in younger leaves. In rice, Pi remobilization was impaired in the osvpe1osvpe2 double mutant and enhanced in OsVPE-overexpression plants, suggesting conserved functions of VPEs in modulating Pi homeostasis and remobilization in crop plants. Taken together, our findings revealed a novel mechanism underlying Pi remobilization from older to younger leaves mediated by plant vacuolar Pi efflux transporters, facilitating the development of Pi-efficient crop plants.

Gastrodin reduces Aβ brain levels in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model by inhibiting P-glycoprotein ubiquitination

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated the potential of gastrodin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, its mechanism of action remains elusive. Currently, the Amyloid-β (Aβ) cascade hypothesis continues to be the prevailing theory regarding AD etiology. The ubiquitination of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) contributes to the accumulation of Aβ in the brain during AD. PurposeTo investigate the mechanism of gastrodin intervention in AD. MethodsThe molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and microscale thermophoresis (MST) were employed to identify the action target of gastrodin. The western blot (WB) was performed to detect the protein expression level, the ubiquitination level of P-gp was determined using co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assay. P-gp transport activity was detected using an NBD-CSA fluorescence assay. Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) was used to detect cell resistance. Fluorescein-labeled dextran experiments were performed to determine the individual cell permeability. The immunofluorescence (IF) was employed to detect Aβ deposition, the Morris Water Maze test was used to assess behavioral changes in APP/PS1 mice and the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 expression were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsThe FBXO15 was the target of gastrodin-mediated inhibition of P-gp ubiquitination. Gastrodin increased the P-gp expression, cell resistance, and P-gp transport activity of BEND.3 cells upon treatment with Aβ40 through mechanisms involving the reduction of FBXO15 and P-gp binding and the inhibition of P-gp ubiquitination. And gastrodin could effectively improve memory function and increase number of neurons in APP/PS1 mice, reduce the accumulation of Aβ40 and Aβ42, and enhance P-gp expression in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionAβ40 induces the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of BBB P-gp, however, gastrodin inhibits the ubiquitination of P-gp by binding to FBXO15, thereby increasing P-gp protein expression and enhancing its transport function.

The nuclear and cytoplasmic colocalization of MdGST12 regulated by MdWRKY26 and MdHY5 promotes anthocyanin accumulation by forming homodimers and interact with MdUFGT and MdDFR under light conditions in Malus.

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family participates in the sequestration of anthocyanins into vacuoles. In this study, MdGST12 was identified as a candidate gene during light-induced anthocyanin accumulation. The methylation levels of the MdGST12 promoter exhibited marked differences among apple fruit treated with different light intensities. Interestingly, it was revealed that MdGST12 was localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Moreover, MdHY5 and MdWRKY26 bind to the G-box and W-box cis-elements within the MdGST12 promoter, respectively. Instantaneous and stable transformation in plantlets, fruit, and calli, confirmed the role of MdGST12 and MdWRKY26 in promoting anthocyanin accumulation in apples. Moreover, the silencing of MdGST12 or MdWRKY26 by RNA interference significantly damaged the anthocyanin accumulation. Surprisingly, we found that MdGST12 could act as a transactivator and that the interaction between MdGST12 and MdDFR further enhances transcriptional activation of the MdDFR promoter. Moreover, MdGST12 also interacts with MdUFGT. Further study revealed that MdGST12 could interact with itself forming homodimers in the nucleus. Taken together, our study first revealed that MdGST12 regulated by MdWRKY26 and MdHY5 interacts with MdDFR and enters the nucleus, enhancing the transcriptional level of MdDFR and promoting anthocyanin accumulation in Malus under light conditions. It first revealed the complexity of GST's function in addition to the function of transferases and transporters in plants.

Antibacterial cellulose-based membrane with heat dissipation and liquid transportation for food packaging applications

Food spoilage, caused by fungi and bacteria, has drawn increasing attention due to the lack of suitable temperature and humidity control, resulting in food waste and health risks. It is still a great challenge to develop green packaging materials with excellent antibacterial activities and effective temperature/humidity control for food preservation. Herein, a new strategy is proposed to obtain food packaging material with antibacterial ability, heat dissipation, and liquid transportation functions. In this strategy, Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH)@cellulose was obtained by extracting cellulose from sugarcane husks, followed by in-situ growth of LDH nanosheets on the surface of cellulose. Then, asymmetric structured packaging material, namely cellulose acetate/LDH@cellulose (CALC) membrane, was prepared by the combination of electrospinning and hydrophobic modification. The characterization results confirmed that the CALC membrane exhibits asymmetric surface structure and wettability properties, endowing heat dissipation and liquid transportation for food packaging applications. Due to the asymmetric reflectivity and infrared emissivity, the CALC membrane exhibited excellent heat dissipation properties with a surface temperature of 10.3℃, which is lower than that of commercial food packaging material. Furthermore, the excellent liquid transport properties of the CALC membrane are demonstrated by the fact that water can penetrate from the hydrophobic side to the hydrophilic side within 32s, providing the appropriate storage temperature and dry environment for foods. In addition, compared with PE film, the CALC membrane also has antibacterial properties and UV resistance, which is beneficial to improving the storage conditions for foods. This study shows that the developed CALC membrane and corresponding design strategy can be extended for the preparation of other packaging materials for applications in research and food industrial fields.

Transformation of Water Retention and Transport Function of Artificial Soils in Moscow

Transformation of Water Retention and Transport Function of Artificial Soils in Moscow

Genome-wide identification of SWEET gene family and the sugar transport function of three candidate genes during female flower bud induction stage of Juglans sigillata Dode

Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET) transports sugar to sink organs and regulates intercellular sugar transport to provide energy for plant growth and development. In this study, twenty-two SWEET genes were identified and distributed on eleven chromosomes. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that these genes could be divided into four subfamilies. Metabolism and transcriptome analysis showed that sucrose and fructose were accumulated in female flower buds at physiological differentiation stage (PDS). The third branch of JsSWEET1 and the fourth branch of JsSWEET9 and JsSWEET17 were highly expressed in female flower buds at undifferentiated stage (UDS) and PDS, which promoted sugar accumulation in female flower bud differentiation, so these three candidate SWEET genes were considered to be involved in the accumulation of sugar in the flower bud differentiation of Juglans sigillata. The subcellular localization showed that all three candidate genes were located on the cell membrane, and JsSWEET17 was also expressed and functioned in the vacuolar membrane. Through overexpression in callus and silencing in female flower buds at UDS and PDS, it was found that JsSWEET1 positively regulated the accumulation of sucrose in female flower buds, and JsSWEET9 and JsSWEET17 are involved in the transport and accumulation of fructose during flower bud differentiation. These results could provide a comprehensive understanding of the JsSWEETs gene family and provide theoretical guidance for further study of the function of SWEET-induced sugar accumulation in plant flower development.

The ADDRESS of a grain: Sediment particle tracking as an approach to assessing ecosystem quality in dammed reservoirs

The study integrates hydrodynamic modelling and geospatial analysis methods to describe the dynamic transport and sedimentation conditions of suspended solids (SS) in large lowland reservoirs. The method was tested on a dam reservoir on the Vistula River (Poland). Stochastic particle tracking was used with a Lagrangian approach, then geostatistical analyses to interpret the simulation results.It is shown that, excluding the backwater, SS sedimentation is greatest in distal parts of the reservoir's lacustrine and river sections. The reservoir retains an average of 79 % of inflowing SS. The primary process affecting the sedimentation of SS is a dam-wards increasing fineness of settling grains. Hydrodynamic simulation results showed deposition of clay fraction to also be possible in the reservoir's upper part, even during floods. Moreover, sand grains entered the dam even during very low flows. Interpretation of Particle Tracking Model (PTM) simulation results and geostatistical modelling reveals that the submerged bed of the pre-dam river still has a transport function, while fine SS accumulates in slow-flowing areas outside it. The anastomosing pre-dam riverbed still influences flow conditions and SS deposition in the upper and middle reservoir. PTM modelling and geostatistical analyses determined the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the spatial variability of SS sedimentation in terms of the quantity and grain-size distribution of sedimenting matter.An original indicator (ADDRESS [A]; Accumulation or Discharge of Dam REservoir Suspended Solids) was developed determining the ability of polymictic reservoirs to either retain SS of different diameters or allow them through the reservoir to be discharged through the dam. The indicator quickly and simply determines particle behaviour under given hydrological conditions. Information on whether all or only some of grains of specific diameters will flow through the dam is important for explaining many natural processes affecting the reservoir ecosystem and the river ecosystem below the dam.

Towards in vivo Bronchoscopic Functional CFTR Assessment using a Short Circuit Current Measurement Probe.

The epithelial lining of luminal organs provides an immune barrier against external factors and regulates transport of nutrients, ions, and water into the body. Several conditions are associated with a breakdown or dysfunction of the epithelial lining. Short circuit current (Isc) measurement using a bulky, expensive, and hard to deploy system known as the Ussing chamber is the gold standard for evaluation of epithelial transport function but requires tissue excision. We demonstrated the ability of the Isc probe to measure Isc in normal wild type (WT) versus reduced CFTR function knockout (KO) rats as a relevant animal model for testing ion channel function.

Разработка ветроэнергетической установки, утилизирующей вторичные энергетические ресурсы энергообъектов морской инфраструктуры

Marine infrastructure facilities include various structures and structures that are necessary to ensure the functioning of maritime transport and other types of mandatory operations in the water space: passenger and cargo terminals, transshipment complexes, warehouses, infrastructure facilities for maintaining ships in working condition, heat supply systems, gas supply, water supply and power supply systems, necessary for the continuous provision of various processes of the port's vital activity. The issue of operation of the developed experimental design of a wind power plant (wind turbine) that recycles secondary energy resources of power facilities of marine infrastructure, when it is placed on the chimneys of boiler installations of port facilities, is considered. An experimental wind turbine is being developed that will use the secondary energy resources of the enterprise. Such a resource in port facilities may be the exhaust gases of a boiler house or a mini-CHP based on internal combustion engines, etc., the heat of which will be utilized in the proposed wind turbine to generate electricity to cover part of the needs of the energy facility. The introduction of wind power plants in port facilities represents an important strategic initiative with many advantages: energy independence and reduction of energy supply costs; elimination of sharp fluctuations in electricity prices, which may be caused by changes in prices for traditional energy carriers; reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; improvement of ports' public image, stimulation of economic development of the region. It is noted that some governments and international organizations offer financial support and incentive measures for projects on the introduction of renewable energy sources; wind turbines can act as a backup energy source, providing higher reliability of energy supply in case of disruptions in the main network, etc. All these measures for placing wind turbines on the chimneys of marine infrastructure power plants make it possible to increase the efficiency of energy generation from a generating plant in the port.

Global identification of metal ion transporters in chickpea and delineating the role of CaYSL4 in orchestrating iron content

Metal ion transporters (MITs) are vital to maintain proper metal homeostasis during growth and development of plants thereby necessitating their identification and characterization. Considering the economic importance of chickpea in human nutrition, the molecular behaviour and biological functions of the metal ion transporters (MIT) encoding gene families remains highly relevant in recent times. Global identification of MITs revealed a total of 12 CAXs, 6 CTRs, 11 MGTs, 15 MTPs, 9 NRAMPs, 16 OPTs, and 14 ZIPs responsible for metal ion transport. Assessment of phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal distribution, gene structure and motif analysis of MITs suggested their diverse functions. The yellow stripe-like (YSL) family of transporters is an important family whose members have been suggested to have a role in metal ion translocation and assimilation. Expression analysis of key YSLs including CaYSL1, CaYSL4, CaYSL6 and CaYSL16 indicated their significant involvement in conferring tolerance to Fe starvation. Notable was the expression of CaYSL4 that showed specific expression in flower, leaf, shoot, seed at 30 DAA and 40DAA after 7 and 10 day of Fe-deficiency treatment. It was found to be localized in the plasma membrane. RNAi-mediated silencing of CaYSL4 demonstrated its critical role in orchestrating Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn translocation in chickpea seeds. Collectively, the comprehensive analysis of MITs coupled with the functional role of CaYSL4 provides critical insight into the complex regulation of Fe ion transport and distribution that will enable breeding of nutritionally enhanced chickpea varieties.

Tryptophan Metabolism-Regulating Probiotics Alleviate Hyperuricemia by Protecting the Gut Barrier Integrity and Enhancing Colonic Uric Acid Excretion.

The balance of gut microbiota affects uric acid synthesis and excretion, influencing the development of hyperuricemia. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of probiotics on hyperuricemia and adenine- and potassium oxonate-induced colonic damage. After two months of gavage at 109 CFU/day, the probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus UA260 and Lactobacillus plantarum YU28, identified through in vitro screening, significantly reduced serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemia mice from 109.71 ± 56.33 to 38.76 ± 15.06 and 33.22 ± 6.91 μmol/L, respectively. These strains attenuated inflammatory, repaired gut barrier damage, and enhanced colonic uric acid transporter function, thereby promoting uric acid excretion. Furthermore, the probiotics significantly reshaped gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Coprococcus, while modulating tryptophan, purine, and riboflavin metabolism. Changes in tryptophan metabolites, specifically indole-3-propionic acid and indole-3-acetic acid, were correlated with xanthine oxidase activity, colonic injury, and the expression of the uric acid transporter protein ABCG2 during treatment. Probiotics intervention activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathways. These findings suggest that probiotics alleviate hyperuricemia and colonic inflammatory by regulating gut microbiota composition and tryptophan microbial metabolite pathways. Probiotics that modulate tryptophan microbial metabolism may provide a potential strategy for treating or preventing hyperuricemia.