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As an important part of the Internet of Things, the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has achieved efficient interconnection and collaboration between vehicles and road infrastructure, and between vehicles through advanced information and communication technologies. However, the high-speed movement of vehicles has generated a large number of cross-domain behaviors, which has greatly increased the number of authentications. Existing authentication protocols face challenges such as high cost, high computational overhead, and easy eavesdropping, interception, or tampering. To this end, this paper proposes an ECC-based IoV secure and efficient handover authentication protocol. The protocol adopts a “non-full key escrow” mechanism. The private key of the vehicle is jointly generated by the Trusted Authority (TA) and the vehicle. The TA only holds part of the private key. Even if the TA is malicious, the security of the vehicle’s private key can be ensured. At the same time, the proposed protocol uses the time tree technology in trusted computing to share part of the vehicle’s private data, which not only ensures the security of authentication, but also improves the efficiency of authentication, and solves the high-latency problem caused by the use of blockchain in previous protocols. When the vehicle moves across domains, there is no need to re-register and authenticate, which reduces the authentication overhead. Compared with existing protocols, this protocol is lightweight in both computational and communication overheads, effectively solving the problem of excessive cost.

Background The potential role of Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K.pn ) in hypertension development has been emphasized, although the specific mechanisms have not been well understood. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) released by Gram-negative bacteria modulate host cell functions by delivering bacterial components to host cells. Endothelial dysfunction is an important early event in the pathogenesis of hypertension, yet the impact of K.pn -secreted EVs ( K.pn EVs) on endothelial function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of K.pn EVs on endothelial function and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods K.pn EVs were purified from the bacterial suspension using ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy nanoparticle tracking analysis, and EV marker expression. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was measured using a wire myograph after in vivo or ex vivo treatment with K.pn EVs. Superoxide anion production was measured by confocal microscopy and HUVEC senescence was assessed by SA-β-gal activity. SIRT1 overexpression or activator was utilized to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results Our data showed that K.pn significantly impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation and increased superoxide anion production in endothelial cells in vivo. Similarly, in vivo and ex vivo studies showed that K.pn EVs caused significant endothelial dysfunction, endothelial provocation, and increased blood pressure. Further examination revealed that K.pn EVs reduced the levels of SIRT1 and p-eNOS and increased the levels of NOX2, COX-2, ET-1, and p53 in endothelial cells. Notably, overexpression or activation of SIRT1 attenuated the adverse effects and protein changes induced by K.pn EVs on endothelial cells. Conclusion This study reveals a novel role of K.pn EVs in endothelial dysfunction and dissects the relevant mechanism involved in this process, which will help to establish a comprehensive understanding of K.pn EVs in endothelial dysfunction and hypertension from a new scope.

Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Z. armatum) is a versatile plant species valued for its aroma oil and nutritional components. However, the variability of chemical composition in Z. armatum fruits in the field remains largely unknown, and it is still unclear how harvest parameters affect the aroma and nutritional quality of the fruits. To address this gap, Z. armatum fruits from varying harvest times, tree ages, and fruiting positions were analyzed for physicochemical properties, nutrients, minerals, aroma profiles, and antioxidant activity. A quality assessment method was developed based on key Z. armatum fruit parameters. Results showed significant differences in the size, weight, total phenol, flavonoid and sanshool content of Z. armatum fruit from different harvest parameters. Z. armatum fruits contained abundant minerals, showing diverse harvest-condition variations. In vitro antioxidant assays showed higher ABTS/DPPH scavenging activity and reducing capacity (23–54 mg/g). HS-SPME-GC-MS identified 64 aroma compounds, encompassing terpenes, alcohols, etc. Linalool was the predominant constituent (46.65%). PLS-DA and Volcano plot analyses highlighted significant differences in VOCs among harvest times and tree ages, while fruit positions showed minimal impact. The Mantel test identified aroma-active compounds associated with antioxidant activity. These findings facilitate a science-based harvesting strategy to standardize Z. armatum fruit quality and marketability.

Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are basic nutrients and energy sources for flower development. In this study, the morphological traits, C, N, P, and NSC concentrations, and C:N:P ratios in pistil, stamen, and petal of C. maxima flower at three phenophases (BBCH54, BBCH59, and BBCH61) were comparatively analyzed. Morphology diverged markedly among the three phenophases, whereas relative water contents were stable. C, N, P, and NSC showed larger variations at three phenophases and parts in C. maxima flower. Maximal C:N, C:P, and N:P occurred in pistils, pistils, and petals at BBCH61, respectively. C:N:P stoichiometry was the most responsive to ontogeny, indicating development-specific elemental storage and biomass partitioning of C. maxima flowers. NSC contents (glucose, fructose, sucrose, starch) differed significantly among organs and phenophases, and peak NSC appeared in the pistils at the three phenophases. High correlations between NSCs and C:N:P ratios suggested coordinated resource allocation. Correlation analysis showed that significant differences occurred at three phenophases for the accumulation and allocation of C, N, P, and NSCs. Principal component analysis (PCA) ordinated samples along PC-1 (44.2%) and PC-2 (24.4%), cumulatively explaining 68.6% of variance, corroborating development- and organ-dependent divergence. These data elucidated the intricate regulatory dynamics of nutrient contents among the three parts during the flower development of C. maxima, providing a robust quantitative framework for targeted nutrient management strategies.

Acetylharpagide is a monomeric compound extracted from , widely used for remedying infectious and inflammatory diseases in Southern China. The present study designed and investigated the formulation of colon-targeted acetylharpagide tablets according to the dual controlled release mechanisms of time-delay and pH-sensitivity. The core tablets of acetylharpagide were coated with the material used in time-delay systems such as ethyl cellulose and suitable channeling agent, followed by pH-dependent polymers, polyacrylic resin II and III in a combination of 1:4. Furthermore, the release and absorption performance of colon-targets tables were evaluated and . In the tests, the optimized formulation was not released in simulated gastric fluid in 2 h; the release was <5% at pH 6.8 simulated intestinal fluids for 4 h; the drug was completely released within 5 h at pH 7.6 simulated colon fluid. In the tests, pharmacokinetic characteristics of the colon-targeted tablets were investigated in dogs. The results indicated that the acetylharpagide tablets with the technology of colon-targeting caused delayed T , prolonged absorption time, lower C , and AUCINF_obs. Meanwhile, the apparent volume of distribution (Vz_F_bs) of the colon-target tablets was higher than the reference. These results suggested that colon-targeted acetylharpagide tablets deliver the drug to the colon. The performance of colon-targeted acetylharpagide tablet was appropriately correlated with its performance .

Our investigation provides insights into the interaction mechanism among hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) (K20 serotype), phage, and the host in a mouse pneumonia model, offering a valuable reference for future research on phage pharmacokinetics. This study demonstrated that bacteriophage PK2420 exhibits promising biosafety and therapeutic efficacy against hvKp-induced pulmonary infections and dissemination in a murine model. These findings suggest that phage PK2420 may be a potential option for the clinical treatment of hvKp infections.

The disposal of waste tire rubber has gained more attention from the viewpoint of green, environmental protection, and sustainability. Numerous attempts have been stated on the properties of crumb rubber concrete (CRC) and observed that there is a large reduction of compressive strength and elastic modulus of CRC with the increase of the rubber substitution rate. Based on the CRC with the crumb rubber volume content of 5%, the steel fibers and nanosilica were added to CRC to make steel fiber-and-nanosilica-reinforced crumb rubber concrete (SFNS-CRC) in this paper. The effects of the steel fiber volume content and nanosilica content on the compressive properties of SFNS-CRC were studied, including compressive strength, elastic modulus, peak strain, compression toughness, and failure pattern. The test results indicated that the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of SFNS-CRC have the increasing tendency with the addition of steel fibers and nanosilica. Moreover, the peak strains have a significant increase with the increase of the steel fiber content and nanosilica replacement ratio. The compressive stress-strain curves of SFNS-CRC gradually plump with the increase of the steel fibers and nanosilica. Finally, the prediction formulas for the compressive strength, elastic modulus, and peak strain of SFNS-CRC were set up. A simple predicted model of the stress-strain curve for SFNS-CRC was proposed, which considers the effect of steel fibers and nanosilica.

PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATORs (PRRs) play key roles in the circadian rhythms and flowering in plants. Here, we identified the four members of the PRR family in Medicago truncatula, including MtPRR9a, MtPRR9b, MtPRR7 and MtPRR5, and isolated their Tnt1 retrotransposon-tagged mutants. They were expressed in different organs and were nuclear-localized. The four MtPRRs genes played important roles in normal clock rhythmicity maintenance by negatively regulating the expression of MtGI and MtLHY. Surprisingly, the four MtPRRs functioned redundantly in regulating flowering time under long-day conditions, and the quadruple mutant flowered earlier. Moreover, MtPRR can recruit the MtTPL/MtTPR corepressors and the other MtPRRs to form heterodimers to constitute the core mechanism of the circadian oscillator.

The Rab family of proteins is involved in organelle regulation, trafficking, signal transduction, mitosis, phagocytosis, growth differentiation, cytoskeleton protein depolymerization and other cellular functions and abnormal expression has been associated with many pathologies, including cancer. Previous work has focused on Rab function in higher animals but fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals also express the Rab proteins. The current review summarizes research progress on Rab proteins, focusing on immune defense against pathogens in aquatic animals. Some differences in Rab protein function between aquatic and higher animals were found and greater involvement in the fish and crustacean immune system than that of higher animals. Novel insights into Rab protein in aquatic animals are offered with implications for the development of aquaculture strategies.

PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATORs (PRRs) play key roles in the circadian rhythms and flowering in plants. Here, we identified the four members of the PRR family in Medicago truncatula, including MtPRR9a, MtPRR9b, MtPRR7 and MtPRR5, and isolated their Tnt1 retrotransposon-tagged mutants. They were expressed in different organs and were nuclear-localized. The four MtPRRs genes played important roles in normal clock rhythmicity maintenance by negatively regulating the expression of MtGI and MtLHY. Surprisingly, the four MtPRRs functioned redundantly in regulating flowering time under long-day conditions, and the quadruple mutant flowered earlier. Moreover, MtPRR can recruit the MtTPL/MtTPR corepressors and the other MtPRRs to form heterodimers to constitute the core mechanism of the circadian oscillator.