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Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) widely exist in Nature and have always been a serious threat to the human health. Conventional colony forming units counting-based methods are quite time consuming and not fit for rapid detection for E. coli. Therefore, novel strategies for improving detection efficiency and sensitivity are in great demand. Aptamers have been widely used in various sensors due to their extremely high affinity and specificity. Successful applications of aptamers have been found in the rapid detection of pathogenic E. coli. Herein, we present the latest advances in screening of aptamers for E. coli, and review the preparation and application of aptamer-based biosensors in rapid detection of E. coli. Furthermore, the problems and new trends in these aptamer-based biosensors for rapid detection of pathogenic microorganism are also discussed.

The binary skutterudite CoSb 3 is a narrow bandgap semiconductor thermoelectric (TE) material with a relatively flat band structure and excellent electrical performance. However, thermal conductivity is very high because of the covalent bond between Co and Sb, resulting in a very low ZT value. Therefore, researchers have been trying to reduce its thermal conductivity by the different optimization methods. In addition, the synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters is also a key to improve the ZT value of CoSb 3 material because the electrical and thermal transport parameters of TE materials are closely related to each other by the band structure and scattering mechanism. This review summarizes the main research progress in recent years to reduce the thermal conductivity of CoSb 3 -based materials at atomic-molecular scale and nano-mesoscopic scale. We also provide a simple summary of achievements made in recent studies on the non-equilibrium preparation technologies of CoSb 3 -based materials and synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters. In addition, the research progress of CoSb 3 -based TE devices in recent years is also briefly discussed.

In fleshy fruits, organic acids are the main source of fruit acidity and play an important role in regulating osmotic pressure, pH homeostasis, stress resistance, and fruit quality. The transport of organic acids from the cytosol to the vacuole and their storage are complex processes. A large number of transporters carry organic acids from the cytosol to the vacuole with the assistance of various proton pumps and enzymes. However, much remains to be explored regarding the vacuolar transport mechanism of organic acids as well as the substances involved and their association. In this review, recent advances in the vacuolar transport mechanism of organic acids in plants are summarized from the perspectives of transporters, channels, proton pumps, and upstream regulators to better understand the complex regulatory networks involved in fruit acid formation.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is one of the most special and important Raman techniques. An apparent Raman signal can be observed when the target molecules are absorbed onto the surface of the SERS substrates, especially on the “hot spots” of the substrates. Early research focused on exploring the highly active SERS substrates and their detection applications in label-free SERS technology. However, it is a great challenge to use these label-free SERS sensors for detecting hydrophobic or non-polar molecules, especially in complex systems or at low concentrations. Therefore, antibodies, aptamers, and antimicrobial peptides have been used to effectively improve the target selectivity and meet the analysis requirements. Among these selective elements, aptamers are easy to use for synthesis and modifications, and their stability, affinity and specificity are extremely good; they have been successfully used in a variety of testing areas. The combination of SERS detection technology and aptamer recognition ability not only improved the selection accuracy of target molecules, but also improved the sensitivity of the analysis. Variations of aptamer-based SERS sensors have been developed and have achieved satisfactory results in the analysis of small molecules, pathogenic microorganism, mycotoxins, tumor marker and other functional molecules, as well as in successful photothermal therapy of tumors. Herein, we present the latest advances of the aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the assembling sensing platforms and the strategies for signal amplification. Furthermore, the existing problems and potential trends of the aptamer-based SERS sensors are discussed.

Summary Softening in fruit adversely impacts their edible quality and commercial value, leading to substantial economic losses during fruit ripening, long‐term storage, long‐distance transportation, and marketing. As the apple fruit demonstrates climacteric respiration, its firmness decreases with increasing ethylene release rate during fruit ripening and postharvest storage. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ethylene‐mediated regulation of fruit softening in apple remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a WRKY transcription factor (TF) MdWRKY31, which is repressed by ethylene treatment. Using transgenic approaches, we found that overexpression of MdWRKY31 delays softening by negatively regulating xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases 2 (MdXTH2) expression. Yeast one‐hybrid (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA), and dual‐luciferase assays further suggested that MdWRKY31 directly binds to the MdXTH2 promoter via a W‐box element and represses its transcription. Transient overexpression of ethylene‐induced MdNAC7, a NAC TF, in apple fruit promoted softening by decreasing cellulose content and increasing water‐soluble pectin content in fruit. MdNAC7 interacted with MdWRKY31 to form a protein complex, and their interaction decreased the transcriptional repression of MdWRKY31 on MdXTH2. Furthermore, MdNAC7 does not directly regulate MdXTH2 expression, but the protein complex formed with MdWRKY31 hinders MdWRKY31 from binding to the promoter of MdXTH2. Our findings underscore the significance of the regulatory complex NAC7–WRKY31 in ethylene‐responsive signalling, connecting the ethylene signal to XTH2 expression to promote fruit softening. This sheds light on the intricate mechanisms governing apple fruit firmness and opens avenues for enhancing fruit quality and reducing economic losses associated with softening.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rapid loss of kidney function characterized by damage to renal tubular cells driven by mitochondrial dysregulation and oxidative stress. Here, we used a murine caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis-induced AKI to study the role of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a NAD + dependent deacetylase critical for the maintenance of mitochondrial viability, in AKI-related renal tubular cell damage and explored the underlying mechanisms. CLP induced alterations in kidney function and morphology were associated with SIRT3 downregulation, and SIRT3 deletion exacerbated CLP-induced kidney dysfunction, renal tubular cell injury and apoptosis, mitochondrial alterations, and ROS production in a knockout mouse model. SIRT3 deletion increased the CLP-induced upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, resulting in the activation of oxidative stress, increased production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and the enhancement of apoptosis, and these effects were reversed by antioxidant NAC. Our results suggest that SIRT3 plays a protective role against mitochondrial damage in the kidney by attenuating ROS production, inhibiting the NRLP3 inflammasome, attenuating oxidative stress, and downregulating IL-1β and IL-18.

• Climate-driven phenological change across local spatial gradients leads to leaf shape variation. At higher elevations, leaves of broadleaf species tend to become narrower, but the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. • In this study, a series of morphometric analyses and biochemical assays, combined with functional identification in apple, were performed. • We show that the decrease in apple leaf width with increasing altitude is controlled by a basic/helix–loop–helix transcription factor (bHLH TF), MdbHLH3. The MdbHLH3-overexpressing lines have a lower transcript abundance of MdPIN1 encoding an auxin efflux carrier but a higher transcript abundance of MdGH3-2 encoding a putative auxin amido conjugate synthase, resulting in a lower free auxin concentration; feeding the transgenic leaves with exogenous auxin partially restores leaf width. MdbHLH3 transcriptionally suppresses and activates MdPIN1 and MdGH3-2, respectively, by specifically binding to their promoters. This alters auxin homeostasis and transport, consequently leading to changes in leaf shape. • These findings suggest that the bHLH TF MdbHLH3 directly modulates auxin signaling in controlling leaf shape in response to local spatial gradients in apple.

Anthocyanins have essential biological functions, affecting the development of horticultural production. They are synthesized in the cytoplasm through flavonoid metabolic pathways and finally transported into vacuoles for storage. Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in anthocyanin transportation. In this study, we identified 38 GSTs from the apple (Malus domestica) genome (HFTH1 Whole Genome v1.0) based on the sequence similarity with the GST family proteins of Arabidopsis. These MdGST genes could be grouped into nine chief subclasses: U, F, L, Z, T, GHR, EF1Bγ, TCHQD, and DHAR. The structures, motifs, three-dimensional models, and chromosomal distribution of MdGST genes were further analyzed. Elements which are responsive for some hormones and stress, and others that involve genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were forecast in the promoter of MdGST. In addition, we identified 32 orthologous gene pairs between apple and Arabidopsis. These genes indicated that numerous apple and Arabidopsis counterparts appeared to be derived from a common ancestor. Amongst the 38 MdGST genes, MdGSTU12 was considerably correlated with anthocyanin variation in terms of extracting expression profiles from reported. Finally, further functional identification in apple transgenic calli and subcellular localization confirmed that MdGSTU12 was of great significance in anthocyanin accumulation in apple.

The knockout (KO) of the myostatin (MSTN) gene can increase muscle production in Mongolian cattle; however, the safety of MSTN-KO beef has not been evaluated. In this study, we fed mice varying concentrations of MSTN-KO beef and monitored physiological and tissue changes. Compared with the control group fed with wild-type beef, mice fed with MSTN-KO beef did not show significant changes, including weight gain, food intake, and organ weight. Furthermore, most blood parameters of the experimental groups remained stable. Serum metabolomics analysis confirmed that MSTN-KO beef had a limited impact on the mice’s overall metabolism, with only 24 differential metabolites identified. Our findings from this 90-day trial show no toxic effects of MSTN-KO Mongolian beef on mice. This directly addresses the long-standing lack of toxicity data for such gene-edited beef. Notably, this is the first study to fill the research gap, and the evidence generated in this work actively supports the safety assessment of MSTN-modified animal-derived foods.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common and highly lethal malignancies globally. Conventional therapeutic approaches are often limited by suboptimal efficacy and significant toxicity, driving the search for alternative strategies, particularly those derived from natural products. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity and underlying molecular mechanisms of the ethyl acetate extract of “Origanum vulgare” L (EAO) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Our findings demonstrate that EAO markedly suppressed HepG2 and Huh7 cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis, accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP depletion. Additionally, EAO inhibited autophagy, as indicated by decreased LC3-II expression and increased p62 accumulation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that EAO inactivated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and these effects were reversed by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC), confirming ROS-dependent suppression of this pathway. Both network pharmacology and RNA-sequencing analyses further supported PI3K/AKT as a critical regulatory node. In summary, EAO exerts potent antitumor effects against hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, while concurrently suppressing autophagy through ROS-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway. These results highlight EAO as a promising low-toxicity candidate for the treatment of liver cancer.