Genome-Wide Analysis of the CsAP2/ERF Gene Family of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) and Joint Analysis of Transcriptional Metabolism under Salt Stress.

Background: Sweet orange is an important economic crop, and salt stress can inhibit its growth and development.

Methods: In this study, we identified AP2/ERF genes in sweet orange via bioinformatics and performed a combined transcription‒metabolism analysis, which revealed for the first time the integrated molecular mechanism of salt stress regulation in sweet orange.

Key Results: A total of 131 sweet orange AP2/ERF genes were identified and categorized into five groups.

Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis and grading of hepatic steatosis in brain-dead donors.

Background: The presence of hepatic steatosis (HS) is a crucial histological parameter for evaluating the suitability of liver transplantation. However, to date, no studies have used contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) to diagnose and grade HS in brain-dead donors. This study aimed to detect and quantify hepatic microcirculatory perfusion in brain-dead donors using CEUS and to assess the utility of CEUS in the diagnosis and grading of HS.

Dynamic changes in the gastrointestinal microbial communities of Gangba sheep and analysis of their functions in plant biomass degradation at high altitude.

Background: While Gangba sheep being well known for their unique flavour and nutritional value, harsh environmental factors negatively affect their growth and development, leading to poor productivity. The gastrointestinal tract microbiota plays an important role in host nutrient absorption and metabolism. The identification of dynamic changes in the gastrointestinal microbial communities and their functions is an important step towards improving animal production performance and health.

The molecular prognostic scoring system for normal karyotype myelodysplastic syndromes.

Background: Molecular-clinical prognostic models for Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) offer more accurate prognosis predictions, yet existing models often overlook the heterogeneity of mutational profiles against the cytogenetic background. Moreover, how to apply these models in regions where large panel NGS is unaffordable remains a significant challenge to be addressed.

Methods: A total of 237 NK MDS patients from our center were used as the training set to screen for key variables and develop a prognostic model with overall survival (OS) as the endpoint.

Effect of 4-methylbenzoquinone concentration on its covalent conjugates with β-lactoglobulin: Structural and functional properties.

This study examined the effect of quinone concentration on covalent interaction between β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and 4-methylbenzoquinone (4MBQ). β-Lg-4MBQ-0.2, β-Lg-4MBQ-0.

Study on the Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Dissimilar Aluminum Alloy Welded Joints Formed Using Laser Welding.

This study investigates the evolution mechanisms and electrochemical corrosion behavior of laser-welded joints (WJs) between 6063 and 6082 dissimilar aluminum alloys under varying welding powers. The analysis focused on the microstructure of the weld metal zone (WMZ), its grain boundary (GB) features, and its electrochemical corrosion properties. Data from the experiments indicate that a higher laser power (LP) leads to an increase in grain size within the WMZ.

Zebrafish patient-derived xenograft system for predicting carboplatin resistance and metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Aims: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a significant challenge in oncology due to high rates of drug resistance and disease relapse following standard treatment with surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Despite the widespread use of these treatments, no effective biomarkers currently exist to identify which patients will respond favorably to therapy. This study introduces a zebrafish patient-derived xenograft (PDX) system, capable of replicating both the carboplatin response and metastatic behavior observed in OC patients, within a rapid 3-day assay period.

Xihuang pill suppresses breast cancer malignancy by inhibiting TGF-β signaling and acquires chemotherapy benefits.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Breast cancer (BC) has an extremely high global incidence rate. The Xihuang pill (XHP), a traditional Chinese formula, originates from Hongxu Wang's "Life-Saving Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment of External Diseases" written during the Qing Dynasty. In this book, XHP, was first suggested as an anticancer treatment for BC.

Comparative analysis of the PAL gene family in nine citruses provides new insights into the stress resistance mechanism of Citrus species.

Background: The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene, a well-studied plant defense gene, is crucial for growth, development, and stress resistance. The PAL gene family has been studied in many plants. Citrus is among the most vital cash crops worldwide.

Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder fruit attenuates aging behaviors and neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia activation via TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As one of the important by-products of Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehder, its fruit (TCF) has a sweet taste, which is commonly used in folklore to make health care wine reputed for enhancing immune function and promoting anti-aging effects, especially popular in the longevity villages of China for a long history. Evidences had showed that Taxus chinensis fruit contained polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids and terpenoids, which all were free of toxic compounds, but its medicinal value has not been fully recognized.

Tissue Doppler imaging of the diaphragm and outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Purpose: This study aimed to employ tissue Doppler imaging to monitor diaphragmatic peak velocity and acceleration during contraction and relaxation in mechanically ventilated patients, with the objective of assessing the potential utility of this technique in predicting weaning outcomes.

Methods: A total of 89 adult subjects were recruited in this study. After 30 min of spontaneous breathing trial, the diaphragm motion parameters, including peak contraction velocity, peak relaxation velocity, contraction acceleration and relaxation acceleration, were measured in real time using tissue Doppler imaging.

Machine learning constructs the microstructure and mechanical properties that accelerate the development of CFRP pyrolysis for carbon-fiber recycling.

The increasing use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) has led to its post-end-of-life recycling becoming a research focus. Herein, we studied the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of recycled carbon fiber (rCF) during CFRP pyrolysis by innovatively combining typical experiments with machine learning. We first comprehensively studied the effects of treatment time and temperature on the mechanical properties, graphitization degree, lattice parameters, and surface O content of rCF following pyrolysis and oxidation.

Genome-wide identification of kiwifruit K channel Shaker family members and their response to low-K stress.

Background: 'Hongyang' kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis cv 'Hongyang') is a high-quality variety of A. chinensis with the advantages of high yield, early ripening, and high stress tolerance. Studies have confirmed that the Shaker K genes family is involved in plant uptake and distribution of potassium (K).

Whole transcriptome sequencing indicated the Anti-tumor immunity of NLRP3 in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent cancer of the female reproductive system and a major contributor to cancer-related mortality. The activation of NLRP3, a key inflammasome, has been extensively associated with tumor-related molecular and cellular processes; however, the regulatory mechanisms and specific role of NLRP3 in breast cancer remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3-related genes in BC.

Progressive conjunctival invasion of cornea in a child with Warburg-Cinotti Syndrome: a case report.

Background: Warburg-Cinotti syndrome is a rare syndrome caused by de novo or inherited variants in discoding domain receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (DDR2). Only six cases have been reported worldwide and our knowledge of this disease remained sparse especially from an ophthalmological perspective, since previous literature mostly focused on systemic malformations or genetics.

Case Presentation: A seven-year-old boy developed a gelatinous vascularized conjunctiva-like mass secondary to trauma.

The mA methyltransferase METTL14 promotes cell proliferation via SETBP1-mediated activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in myelodysplastic neoplasms.

N6-methyladenosine (mA) is the most prevalent epitranscriptomic modification in mammalian mRNA. Recent studies have revealed mA is involved in the pathogenesis of various malignant tumors including hematologic neoplasms. Nevertheless, the specific roles of mA modification and mA regulators in myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) remain poorly understood.

Synthetic Microbial Community Promotes Bacterial Communities Leading to Soil Multifunctionality in Desertified Land.

Soil desertification is an important challenge in global soil management, and effectively and stably restoring soil function is an urgent problem. Using synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) is a burgeoning microbial strategy aimed at enhancing soil nutrients through functional synergies among diverse microorganisms; nevertheless, their effectiveness in restoring desertified soils remains unknown. In this study, we conducted a two-year field experiment using a SynCom constructed by in situ probiotic bacteria and set up control, chemical fertilizer, and combined SynCom-chemical fertilizer (combined fertilizer) treatments to investigate the linkage between microbial communities and soil multifunctionality in the soil surface layer (0-10 cm).

Muscone abrogates breast cancer progression through tumor angiogenic suppression via VEGF/PI3K/Akt/MAPK signaling pathways.

Background: Angiogenesis strongly reflects poor breast cancer outcome and an important contributor to breast cancer (BC) metastasis; therefore, anti-angiogenic intervention is a potential tool for cancer treatment. However, currently used antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) or inhibitors that target the VEGFA receptor are not effective due to weak penetration and low efficiency. Herein, we assessed the anti-BC angiogenic role of muscone, a natural bioactive musk constituent, and explored possible anti-cancer mechanisms of this compound.

Comparative Evaluation of PCR-Based, LAMP and RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a Assays for the Rapid Detection of .

Southern stem canker (SSC) of soybean, attributable to the fungal pathogen , results in considerable losses of soybean in the field and has damaged production in several of the main soybean-producing countries worldwide. Early and precise identification of the causal pathogen is imperative for effective disease management. In this study, we performed an RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a, as well as LAMP, PCR and real-time PCR assays to verify and compare their sensitivity, specificity and simplicity and the practicality of the reactions.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward ultrasound screening for breast cancer among women.

Background: Several obstacles can hinder breast cancer screening. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward ultrasound screening for breast cancer in women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited women who visited the breast specialist clinic of Zhongshan City People's Hospital (a tertiary hospital) between August 2022 and April 2023 through convenience sampling.