Identification and Expression Patterns of Three Vitellogenin Genes and Their Roles in Reproduction of the Alligatorweed Flea Beetle Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The alligatorweed flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila is an insect used for biological control of the aquatic weed Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed). Because these insects are oviparous, synthesis, and transportation of yolk proteins is integral to reproduction. Vitellin, the chief protein constituent in egg yolk, is mainly synthesized in the fat body and its synthesis is regulated by the transcript levels of Vitellogenin (Vg). In our study, we first cloned and characterized three Vg genes from A. hygrophila and quantified the expression levels of these Vgs in different tissues and developmental stages by RT-qPCR. Analysis of the full-length cDNA sequences of the three A. hygrophila Vg genes revealed that the open reading frames of AhVg1, AhVg2, and AhVg3 were 5175, 5346, and 5385 bp, encoding 1724, 1781, and 1794 amino acids, respectively. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that these three AhVgs have similar expression patterns; expression in the fat body was significantly higher than that in other tissues, and the highest expression was observed in the adult developmental stage. RNA interference was used to explore the functions of the AhVgs. A. hygrophila female adults injected with dsRNA targeting the AhVg genes showed decreased AhVg gene expression. Down regulation of all three AhVgs significantly affected ovary development, reduced egg laying capacity, and reduced the egg hatch rate compared with the control groups. Our findings provide the basis for further study of the functions of Vg genes in other insect species

Does the Use of Antidepressants Accelerate the Disease Progress in Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Patients With Depression? A Case Report and A Systematic Review

Background: Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rapidly progressive dementia. Growing evidence suggests that antidepressant usage was associated with dementia. Given the commonality of depression in CJD, it is necessary to investigate the effect of antidepressants on CJD.Methods: First, we report a case of sporadic CJD (sCJD) with depression where the condition worsened rapidly after using a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. Second, a systematic literature survey was conducted to investigate the effect of antidepressants on the survival time of sCJD patients with depression. Thirteen cases plus our case were included for qualitative analysis. Twelve subjects were included in the Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression analysis. Finally, we provide a postulation of pathophysiological mechanism in CJD.Results: The median survival time of all patients was 6.0 months, of which patients with SNRIs were significantly shorter than those with first-generation antidepressants (2.0 vs. 6.0 months; log rank, P = .008) and relatively shorter than those with nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; 4.0 vs. 6.0 months; log rank, P = .090). In comparison with first-generation antidepressants, the use of SNRIs [hazard ratio (HR), 23.028; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.401 to 378.461; P = .028] remained independently associated with shorter survival time.Conclusions: The use of antidepressants, especially SNRIs, was associated with a shorter survival time of sCJD patients. The possible changes in neurotransmitters should be emphasized. Scientifically, this study may provide insights into the mechanism of CJD. Clinically, it may contribute to the early diagnosis of CJD

The trained NER_model for MAX/MXene materials

The NER model for MAX/MXene  synthesis recipes extraction. </p

The list of 110 publications and annotated corpus.

The list of 110 publications and annotated corpus.</p

Trained RE_model for MAX/MXene materials

The RE model for MAX/MXene  synthesis recipes extraction.</p

Metal–Organic Framework-Based Solid Acid Materials for Biomass Upgrade

AbstractBiomass is a green and producible source of energy and chemicals. Hence, developing high-efficiency catalysts for biomass utilization and transformation is urgently demanded. Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based solid acid materials have been considered as promising catalysts in biomass transformation. In this review, we first introduce the genre of Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites commonly generated in MOFs or MOF-based composites. Then, the methods for the generation and adjustment of corresponding acid sites are overviewed. Next, the catalytic applications of MOF-based solid acid materials in various biomass transformation reactions are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, based on our personal insights, the challenges and outlook on the future development of MOF-based solid acid catalysts are provided. We hope that this review will provide an instructive roadmap for future research on MOFs and MOF-based composites for biomass transformation.</jats:p

Highly efficient, reversible iodine capture and exceptional uptake of amines in viologen-based porous organic polymers

Viologen-based porous organic polymers as highly efficient and reversible adsorbents for iodine and amines.</p

Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are attracting increasing research interest due to their unique properties originating from their ultrathin thickness and large surface area with highly accessible active sites. Here, the aim is to provide recent advances in the synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets by using the top-down and bottom-up methods, including sonication exfoliation, interfacial synthesis, three-layer synthesis, and surfactant-assisted synthesis methods. In addition, the recent progress in 2D-MOF-nanosheet-based nanocomposites is also introduced. The synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets should lead to new kinds of functional nanomaterials for a wide range of applications.MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore