Publications by authors named "XiaoJiao Liu"
Functional analysis and interaction networks of Rboh in poplar under abiotic stress.
Front Plant Sci
February 2025
Introduction: Plant respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rbohs) are essential in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and play critical roles in plant stress responses. Despite their importance, Rbohs in poplar species remain under-explored, especially in terms of their characteristics and functional diversity across different species within the same genus.
Methods: In this study, we employed bioinformatics methods to identify 62 Rboh genes across five poplar species.
Liver fibrosis (LF) is an important process in the progression of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis. We have previously demonstrated that a regenerated silk fibroin scaffold loaded with adipose-derived stem cells (RSF + ADSCs) can repair acute liver injury. In this study, we established a chronic LF animal model using carbon tetrachloride (CCl) and a high-fat diet.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCadmium (Cd) has become a major environmental concern, adversely affecting soil quality and crop productivity. Cd pollution disrupts soil nutrient cycling, particularly phosphorus (P), which is crucial for plant growth. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of Cd on soil phosphorus availability, followed by pot experiments using maize (Zea mays) to investigate the effects of varying Cd concentrations (0, 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Heat shock proteins (HSP20s) are crucial components in plant stress responses, acting as molecular chaperones to safeguard cellular integrity and prevent abnormal protein aggregation. While extensive research has been conducted on HSP20s in various plant species, limited information is available regarding the HSP20 protein family in poplar (Populus yunnanensis), a species of significant ecological and economic importance native to southwestern China.
Results: To elucidate the distribution, structural features, and functional characteristics of HSP20 proteins in P.
Background: Itraconazole, a widely used antifungal medication, has shown potential in inhibiting tumor growth and reducing angiogenesis. However, its role in melanoma tumor growth remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the inductive effect of itraconazole on autophagy-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant HKTs (High-affinity K transporters) are essential transporters for ion transport and homeostasis and play crucial roles in plant growth and stress responses. However, the evolution of HKTs in Populus species and their functions require further investigation. In this study, we identified 16 HKTs from six Populus species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlasma biomarkers have great potential in the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, findings on their associations with cerebral perfusion and structural changes are inconclusive. We examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma biomarkers and cerebral blood flow (CBF), gray matter (GM) volume, and white matter (WM) integrity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein biomaterial with potential in biomedical applications, but its current form lacks necessary features for improved biological functions.
- This study utilized air plasma etching to modify SF scaffolds, successfully creating nano-island patterns that enhance cell adhesion and biological responses.
- The 10-minute plasma-etched scaffolds significantly improved mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, as well as vascularization and bone formation in a rat model, though longer etching times reduced these effects.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzes the properties of Ag-O thin films created by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, focusing on the effects of varying oxygen flow ratios from 0% to 30%.
- It was found that these films transition from metal to semiconductor or insulator, demonstrating different transparency levels, while high oxygen ratios result in a mixed phase of AgO and Ag2O.
- Changes in the films' work function (from 4.7 eV to 5.6 eV) and their chemical states were assessed through various spectroscopy techniques, leading to the establishment of band diagrams that reflect the oxidation states of Ag-O at different oxygen ratios.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers prepared a co-crystal of the energetic molecule 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and 4,4'-bipyridine (BIPY) and studied its structure using advanced techniques up to high pressures of 5.93 GPa.
- No changes in phase or proton transfer were found at these pressures, although crystal quality worsened at even higher pressures, leading to complex diffraction patterns.
- Computational models revealed that pressure affects the co-crystal’s color and structural properties, causing proton migration and indicating that the co-crystal has lower impact sensitivity compared to NTO, despite their similarities.
Article Synopsis
- Mulberry bacterial wilt disease, caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, significantly impacts the silk-mulberry industry, especially affecting resistant (K10) and susceptible (G12) cultivars.
- Through high-throughput sequencing, researchers identified Bacillus as a key beneficial bacteria in the resistant cultivar K10, then screened twelve Bacillus spp. isolates for their ability to combat the disease.
- The isolate B. velezensis K0T24 showed strong antagonism towards R. pseudosolanacearum, inhibiting its growth by 82.47% and enhancing defenses in mulberry seedlings, ultimately providing over 55% control against the disease.
Article Synopsis
- Extreme heat exposure leads to significant health issues, particularly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which lacks comprehensive research regarding its impact.* -
- In a study of 713 heatstroke patients from 83 centers, 18.5% reported GI symptoms, with those experiencing multiple symptoms facing longer ICU stays and higher mortality rates.* -
- Key factors influencing the occurrence of GI symptoms included older age and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores upon ICU admission, highlighting the need to monitor GI health in heatstroke patients.*
Article Synopsis
- * A single crystal of 3,4,5-TNP was compressed to 5.3 GPa using X-ray diffraction, allowing for further characterization of this new phase.
- * The material showed increased sensitivity to initiation under pressure, highlighted by violent decomposition during experiments, raising concerns about its safe handling during shock- or pressure-loading conditions.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how exosomes from adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) can promote wound healing, focusing on the role of a specific microRNA, miR-223-3p.
- Researchers identified 35 differentially expressed miRNAs and created a co-expression network, placing miR-223-3p as a central factor influencing numerous biological processes and pathways.
- In vivo tests showed that AMSC-derived exosomes carrying miR-223-3p enhance wound healing by interacting with the MAPK10 gene, leading to upregulation of healing-related proteins and downregulation of inflammatory markers.
Article Synopsis
- Drought stress negatively impacts mulberry growth and crop yields, particularly for fruits and leaves.
- A study isolated 64 plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) from resilient mulberry trees, identifying four strains (GS1, GRs12, GR19, GR21) that significantly enhance growth under drought conditions.
- Application of these PGPF not only improved the biomass and root length of mulberry but also promoted nutrient absorption and increased drought tolerance, potentially leading to better fruit yields.
Article Synopsis
- Gene transcription involves RNA polymerase transforming a closed promoter complex into an open one, which is essential for initiating transcription.
- In bacteria, σ factors help RNA polymerase recognize specific promoters, and a special σ factor worked with AAA+ ATPases to form a stable promoter complex.
- Cryo-electron microscopy revealed a novel DNA melting process during transcription initiation, where the σ factor's amino terminus assists in DNA opening by interacting with the AAA+ hexameric ring, aided by ATP hydrolysis.
Article Synopsis
- - The study reveals that the RtcR CARF domain regulates two important RNA repair enzymes, RtcA and RtcB, which are necessary for activating transcription.
- - RtcA and RtcB interact directly with RtcR, but while RtcAB’s catalytic activity is essential for transcription activation, it alone doesn’t suffice, suggesting another activating signal is required.
- - This additional signal seems to come from the translation machinery, as RtcB repairs tmRNA, enhancing ribosome function and indicating CARF domain signaling has broader implications involving RNA repair and translation.
Article Synopsis
- Natural soil can suppress soil-borne pathogens, and the soil microbiome significantly influences this ability, with long-term monoculture affecting its composition.
- This study examined how soil conditions impact bacterial wilt disease in tobacco, comparing soil microbial communities between healthy and diseased fields across different growth stages using Illumina sequencing.
- Findings indicated that soil conditions and growth periods influence microbial composition, with specific genera like Ralstonia and Flavobacterium linked to diseased and healthy soils, respectively, and healthy soils displaying more robust microbial networks.
Article Synopsis
- Endophytic bacteria, specifically strain HGG15, were found to promote growth and increase stress tolerance in mulberry plants that often experience flooding, although the effects on this specific plant have not been widely studied before.
- HGG15 effectively colonized mulberry roots and influenced bacterial community structures, leading to positive correlations with plant development and soil potassium levels.
- Additionally, untargeted metabolic profiling identified 201 metabolites that were significantly different in inoculated versus control plants, highlighting compounds related to stress response and growth promotion, which could inform future strategies for enhancing mulberry development in challenging environments.
Statins on Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
August 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to determine whether statins can enhance the prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
- After screening 17 studies with nearly 17,000 cases, the research found that patients taking statins had a significant reduction in mortality compared to those not taking them, as well as improved functional outcomes 90 days post-ICH.
- Ultimately, the conclusions suggest that statins lower overall mortality after ICH and improve survival rates without causing an increase in hematoma size.
Article Synopsis
- *This study evolved a bacterial strain (CQPS-1) in acidic environments to understand its adaptability after 1500 generations, resulting in the development of acid-adapted strains (C49) that exhibited better growth and competition in low pH.
- *Genetic analysis revealed that a mutation in the PhcA regulator gene led to increased fitness in acidic conditions and improved motility in the adapted strains, providing insights into bacterial adaptation strategies in acidic soils.
Article Synopsis
- - Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have essential roles in helping plants cope with environmental stresses, but their effects on drought-affected mulberry trees near the Three Gorges Reservoir in China are not well-researched.
- - In this study, 74 bacterial isolates were sourced from mulberry rhizosphere soil post-drought, highlighting one strain, HGS7, that shows traits beneficial for plant growth and stress resilience.
- - Genomic analysis of HGS7 showed it can produce antimicrobial compounds and enhance drought tolerance by stimulating seed germination, seedling growth, and the production of protective substances in mulberry trees.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the long-term effects of climate warming on plant growth and soil nutrients in the alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
- Over an 8-year warming experiment, it was found that the growth patterns of meadow plants shifted from isometric to allometric as soil nutrients changed with depth, particularly carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
- The research concluded that warming affects the relationship between soil nutrient characteristics and plant growth, as nutrient migration to deeper soil layers influences vegetation growth patterns in these meadows.
Article Synopsis
- * The optimal HRH treatment involved heating the grains at 65 °C for 2.5 hours, resulting in GABA content increasing significantly from an initial 12.78-43.00 mg·100 g−1 to 26.91-76.28 mg·100 g−1.
- * Correlation analysis indicated that GABA accumulation was positively linked to various amino acids and protein contents, suggesting that the GABA-shunt pathway was the primary mechanism for GABA accumulation, rather
Article Synopsis
- Bacterial wilt is linked to changes in microbial communities and soil acidification, yet the effects of varying acidification levels on these communities and the disease are not well understood.
- The study found that increasing soil pH reduces the abundance of the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and the incidence of bacterial wilt, with optimal suppression occurring at a slightly acidic pH around 6.0-6.5.
- The application of calcium oxide (CaO) to raise soil pH resulted in the enrichment of beneficial bacterial genera, highlighting the potential for using soil pH management as a strategy for biological control of bacterial wilt.