Genome-wide analysis of KCS genes in tomato and functional characterization of SlKCS8 and SlKCS10 in drought tolerance.

KCS, an endogenous cellular enzyme, catalyzes the elongation of fatty acid chains and plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of plant epidermal wax. Through processes such as transfer, decarboxylation, and fixation, it contributes to plant growth and adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the mechanism by which KCS genes participate in the response of tomato plants to driught remains unclear.

PNGL reduces lipotoxicity in diabetic cardiomyopathy and activates the adiponectin pathway.

Aims: To investigate the effect of Notoginseng leaf triterpenes (PNGL) on diabetic cardiomyopathy by suppressing lipotoxicity, and to explore the possible underlying mechanisms. To study the potential mechanism by which PNGL decrease lipotoxicity and hence affect diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: For 8 weeks, diabetic db/db mice were given either a high-dose (100 mg/kg daily) or low-dose (50 mg/kg daily) of PNGL intragastrially.

Anterior lumbar discectomy and fusion: an effective technique in treating lumbar disc herniation-- a retrospective case study.

Objective: Lumbar disc herniation is a syndrome triggered by degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. Based on the technique of ALIF, combining the concept of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), we summarized Anterior Lumbar Discectomy Fusion (ALDF) in our previous clinical experience. This study is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of this method for treating lumbar disc herniation.

Triazoles in the environment: An update on occurrence, fate, health hazards, and removal techniques.

The triazole fungicides are widely utilized in agriculture and have the potential to leach into surface water from agricultural fields, resulting in significant environmental contamination. Prolonged exposure to triazole fungicides may pose potential risks to human health. Therefore, it is imperative to develop rapid, cost-effective, and efficient methods for the removal of triazoles in order to mitigate their detrimental impact on both the environment and human health.

Oxidative stress and dysregulated long noncoding RNAs in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disease whose annual incidence is increasing as populations continue to age. Although its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in promoting the occurrence and development of the disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are more than 200 nucleotides in length, are also involved in the pathogenesis of PD at the transcriptional level via epigenetic regulation, or at the post-transcriptional level by participating in physiological processes, including aggregation of the α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, calcium stabilization, and neuroinflammation.

Understanding the Dynamics Governing Electrocatalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin Bio-Oil to Hydrocarbons.

Electrocatalytic hydrodeoxygenation (EHDO) is a promising approach for upgrading biomass-derived bio-oils to sustainable fuels without the use of high-pressure hydrogen gas and elevated temperatures. However, direct EHDO for realistic hydrophobic lignin-based oil production remains challenging. Herein, we discuss the molecular dynamics that govern the EHDO of lignin bio-oil over Pt/C in an acidic electrolyte added with 2-propanol or a surfactant.

The spatiotemporal changes of metabolites in Pinellia ternata at different development stages by MALDI-MSI.

Pinellia ternata is an herb species in the Pinellia genus with significant economic value due to its medicinal properties. Understanding the accumulation and spatial distribution characteristics of metabolites during the development of the medicinal part, the rhizome of P. ternata (PR), provides a basis for targeted metabolic regulation and quality evaluation.

C2 anatomical pedicle screw for C2 fixation under the concept of atlantoaxial joint distraction and fusion with intra-articular cages: technical note.

Purpose: To describe a novel alternative technique for C2 fixation under the concept of atlantoaxial joint distraction and fusion with intra-articular Cages, and to report its preliminary clinical outcomes.

Methods: Eighteen patients with basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation underwent atlantoaxial joint distraction and fusion with intra-articular Cages. All patients had hypoplasia of the C2 isthmus prohibiting insertion of the pedicle screw.

Targeted Modulation of the Meningeal Lymphatic Reverse Pathway for Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases.

Treatment of tumor brain metastases remains challenging due to the ineffectiveness of drugs in crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we proposed a potential strategy to target and modulate the meningeal lymphatic system for immunotherapy of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) through peripheral administration. CT/fluorescence dual-modality imaging demonstrated that the phospholipid nanoprobe (α-PLNPs) through intracisternal magna injection effectively labeled and long-range tracked the meningeal lymphatic pathway from meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) to periphery drainage cervical lymph nodes (CLNs).

Small Molecule Modulators of β-arrestins.

Unlabelled: β-arrestins (βarrs) are key regulators of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), essential for modulating signaling pathways and physiological processes. While current pharmacological strategies target GPCR orthosteric and allosteric sites, as well as G protein transducers, comparable tools for studying βarrs are lacking. Here, we present the discovery and characterization of novel small-molecule allosteric inhibitors of βarrs through comprehensive biophysical, biochemical, pharmacological, and structural analyses.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Three Measures of Intrinsic Capacity in Older People Aged 80 and Over in Nursing Homes.

Purpose: Intrinsic capacity (IC), a crucial indicator for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030, is defined by WHO as the foundation of functional ability, representing the composite of all physical and mental capacities of an individual. IC spans five function domains: Locomotor, psychological, cognitive, vitality, and sensory (including vision and hearing). Accurate IC assessment is vital for effective interventions, yet comparative analyses of these tools are scarce.

Construction of flexible porous 3D biochar based on electrospun rice straw-derived cellulose acetate with excellent adsorption properties toward organic pollutants.

Cellulose was extracted from rice straw waste by the intergrated technique of CHOH/HO, dilute alkali treatment and HO bleaching process, and rice straw-derived cellulose acetate was obtained by the acetylation reaction of cellulose. Flexible porous 3D biochars were constructed by the electrospinning, NaBH foaming and calcination process. Effects of calcination temperature, adsorption time, pH, pollutant concentration, interfering anions, and cycle times on the adsorption performance of 3D biochar were systematically investigated.

The risk of childhood asthma across diverse climates: growing up in Australia.

This study investigates the association between climate and childhood asthma in Australia. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) was used to analyse this association in children who were 6-15 years between 2004 and 2018. Asthma prevalence decreased from 16% at 6-7 years to 13% at 14-15 years.

Phase Engineering of Giant Second Harmonic Generation in BiOSe.

2D materials with remarkable second-harmonic generation (SHG) hold promise for future on-chip nonlinear optics. Relevant materials with both giant SHG response and environmental stability are long-sought targets. Here, the enormous SHG from the phase engineering of a high-performance semiconductor, BiOSe (BOS), under uniaxial strain, is demonstrated.

Clinical features and outcomes of basilar invagination.

Basilar invagination has been classified into two types by Goel: Type A is defined mechanical instability of the atlantoaxial joint with upward displacement of the odontoid process while Type B is characterized by stable atlantoaxial joints. This study reviews the association between radiological features and symptomatology and prognosis of two types of basilar invagination for better clinical management. A retrospective analysis was conducted including 141 patients diagnosed with basilar invagination who underwent surgical treatment from January 2016 to December 2020.

Timing of meal replacement on body weight: a multicenter open-labeled randomized trial.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate the effects of partial meal replacement (MR) with different timing of MR on body weight in Chinese adults.

Methods: A multicenter open-labeled, randomized, parallel study was performed. Participants were randomly assigned to receive partial MR at breakfast and lunch or breakfast and dinner for 16 weeks.

Modulating and Imaging Macrophage Reprogramming for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has made great progress in effectively attacking or eliminating cancer. However, the challenges posed by the low reactivity of some solid tumors still remain. Macrophages, as a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play an important role in determining the progression of solid tumors due to their plasticity and heterogeneity.

Extracellular Vesicles-in-Hydrogel (EViH) targeting pathophysiology for tissue repair.

Regenerative medicine endeavors to restore damaged tissues and organs utilizing biological approaches. Utilizing biomaterials to target and regulate the pathophysiological processes of injured tissues stands as a crucial method in propelling this field forward. The Extracellular Vesicles-in-Hydrogel (EViH) system amalgamates the advantages of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and hydrogels, rendering it a prominent biomaterial in regenerative medicine with substantial potential for clinical translation.

Carbon cloth surface engineering for simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid in fetal bovine serum.

Carbon cloth (CC) was electrochemically activated using three electrochemical methods in different electrolytes. The gases released during the activation process etched the surface of the CC, thereby increasing its surface area of the activated CC (FCC). Moreover, functional groups such as oxygen-containing groups and N-doping have been introduced.

Predicting the Potential Global Distribution of the Plum Fruit Moth Treitscheke Using Ensemble Models.

The plum fruit moth, Treitschke, is one of the most significant borer pests, often causing huge economic losses in fruit production. However, the potential distribution range of this economically important pest is still poorly understood. For this study, we simulated an ensemble species distribution model to predict the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of at a global scale.

Plasma alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 as an age-specific biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder.

Background: The diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) mainly depends on subjective clinical symptoms, without an acceptable objective biomarker for the clinical application of MDD. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) showed a high specificity as biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of MDD. The present study aimed to investigate differences in plasma ITIH4 in two different aged MDD patients and underlying pathological mechanisms of plasma ITIH4 in the occurrence and development of MDD.

The effect of social isolation on the cognitive ability of the oldest old in Chinese nursing homes in post-COVID-19: a moderated chain mediation model.

Background: Both pre-or post-COVID-19, older adults residing in nursing homes are at significant risk for social isolation, which is negatively associated with cognitive ability. Currently, the elderly aged 80 years and older are the fastest-growing age group globally. The extent of social isolation within this group post-COVID-19 and its impact on cognitive abilities remain inadequately explored.