Deciphering the core shunt mechanism in Arabidopsis cuticular wax biosynthesis and its role in plant environmental adaptation.

Plant cuticular waxes serve as highly responsive adaptations to variable environments. Aliphatic waxes consist of very-long-chain (VLC) compounds produced from 1-alcohol- or alkane-forming pathways. The existing variation in 1-alcohols and alkanes across Arabidopsis accessions revealed that 1-alcohol amounts are negatively correlated with aridity factors, whereas alkanes display the opposite behaviour.

A phosphorylation-regulated NPF transporter determines salt tolerance by mediating chloride uptake in soybean plants.

Chloride (Cl) ions cause major damage to crops in saline soils. Understanding the key factors that influence Cl uptake and translocation will aid the breeding of more salt-tolerant crops. Here, using genome-wide association study and transcriptomic analysis, we identified a NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1 (NRT1)/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER family (NPF) protein, GmNPF7.

Transcranial resection of falcine meningiomas by complete endoscopy with the assistance of intraoperative ultrasound.

Transcranial neurosurgery assisted by endoscopy and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) has become an effective approach for real-time visualization and guidance during tumor resection. This study explores the application of these techniques in falcine meningioma (FM) resection, assessing their feasibility and safety. Eleven FM patients underwent transcranial endoscopic resection with IOUS assistance.

Novel variants of FSIP2 and SPEF2 cause varying degrees of spermatozoa damage in MMAF patients and favorable ART outcomes.

Purpose: This study identified novel variants of the FSIP2 and SPEF2 genes in multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) patients and to investigate the potential effect of variations on male infertility and assisted reproductive outcomes.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 106 Chinese MMAF patients. The discovered variants were evaluated in silico and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 Alleviates Liver Toxicity of Combined Microplastics and Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate via Regulating Gut Microbiota.

Microplastics (MPs) and Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as emerging contaminants, have caused increasing concern due to their co-exposure risks and toxicities to humans. Lactic acid bacteria have been demonstrated to play a significant role in the mitigation of organismal damage. Probiotic intervention is widely recognized as a safe and healthy therapeutic strategy for targeting the mitigation of organic damage.

Iron-Mediated Regulation in Adipose Tissue: A Comprehensive Review of Metabolism and Physiological Effects.

Purpose Of Review: Review the latest data regarding the intersection of adipose tissue (AT) and iron to meet the needs of AT metabolism and the progression of related diseases.

Recent Findings: Iron is involved in fundamental biological metabolic processes and is precisely fine-tuned within the body to maintain cellular, tissue and even systemic iron homeostasis. AT not only serves as an energy storage depot but also represents the largest endocrine organ in the human body, maintaining systemic metabolic homeostasis.

Computer-aided diagnosis of hepatic cystic echinococcosis based on deep transfer learning features from ultrasound images.

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE), a life-threatening liver disease, has 5 subtypes, i.e., single-cystic, polycystic, internal capsule collapse, solid mass, and calcified subtypes.

The progression rate and risk factor analysis of small gastric subepithelial tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Small gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the stomach can be managed through surveillance or resection. However, it is still controversial how often the lesion would progress if left untreated. This study aimed to evaluate the progression rate of small SETs and identify risk factors influencing tumor growth.

NSUN2-Mediated RNA 5-Methylcytosine Modification of PTEN Regulates Cognitive Impairments of Mice with Sleep Deprivation and Autophagy Through PI3K/AKT Signaling.

Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs learning and memory. Investigating the role of epigenetic modifications, such as 5-methylcytosine (mC), in SD is crucial. This study established an SD mouse model and assessed the mRNA levels of mC-related genes in brain tissue to identify potential candidates.

Human amniotic epithelial stem cells, a potential therapeutic approach for diabetes and its related complications.

The escalating diabetes prevalence has heightened interest in innovative therapeutic strategies for this disease and its complications. Human amniotic epithelial stem cells (HAESCs), originate from the innermost layer of the placenta closest to the fetus and express stem cell markers in the amniotic membrane's umbilical cord attachment area, which have garnered significant attention. This article critically examines emerging research advancements and potential application values of hAESCs in treating diabetes and its complications.

Perception of emotion across cultures: Norms of valence, arousal, and sensory experience for 4923 Chinese words translated from English in Warriner et al. (2013).

Perception of emotion conveyed through language is influenced by embodied experiences obtained from social interactions, which may vary across different cultures. To explore cross-cultural differences in the perception of emotion between Chinese and English speakers, this study collected norms of valence and arousal from 322 native Mandarin speakers for 4923 Chinese words translated from Warriner et al., (Behavior Research Methods, 45, 1191-1207, 2013).

Establishing bio-logging data collections as dynamic archives of animal life on Earth.

Rapid growth in bio-logging-the use of animal-borne electronic tags to document the movements, behaviour, physiology and environments of wildlife-offers opportunities to mitigate biodiversity threats and expand digital natural history archives. Here we present a vision to achieve such benefits by accounting for the heterogeneity inherent to bio-logging data and the concerns of those who collect and use them. First, we can enable data integration through standard vocabularies, transfer protocols and aggregation protocols, and drive their wide adoption.

Topographic location and connectivity to channel of earthquake- and rainfall-induced landslides in Loess Plateau area.

The position of landslides on a slope plays a crucial role in determining landslide susceptibility and the likelihood of landslide debris interacting with the fluvial system. Most studies primarily focus on shallow landslides in the bedrock weathering zone or large-scale bedrock landslides, but the relevant work about the location and connectivity to channels of loess landslides is limited despite their potential to provide insights into slope stability and material transport in loess regions. In this study, we explored differences in landslide location and connectivity to channels between 2013 Mw5.

Unveiling the mechanism of action of a novel natural dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and PLpro with molecular dynamics simulations.

In the twenty-first century, we have witnessed multiple coronavirus pandemics. Despite declining SARS-CoV-2 cases, continued research remains vital. We report the discovery of sydowiol B, a natural product, as a dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro).

Increased acute-phase reaction after the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOEVA) compared with minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) for unilateral thyroidectomy.

Purposes: We analyzed the acute-phase response in unilateral thyroidectomy by comparing the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOEVA) with the minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT).

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either TOEVA or MIVAT, after we obtained their written informed consent to participate in this study. Blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) were measured before surgery and then 4, 24, and 48 h after surgery.

Donafenib activates the p53 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma, induces ferroptosis, and enhances cell apoptosis.

Donafenib is an improved version of sorafenib in which deuterium is substituted into the drug's chemical structure, enhancing its stability and antitumor activity. Donafenib exhibits enhanced antitumor activity and better tolerance than sorafenib in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the specific mechanism of its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma has not been reported.

From signal-off to signal-on: polyT linker alters signal response mode and enhances signal change of aptamer beacon probe.

A molecular beacon is an oligonucleotide hybridization probe that can report the presence of specific nucleic acids in homogeneous solutions. Using an aptamer has allowed an aptamer-based molecular beacon-aptamer beacon to be developed, which has shown advantages of simplicity, rapidity, and sensitivity in imaging and sensing non-nucleic acid substances. However, due to requirement for a deliberate DNA hairpin structure for the preparation of a molecular beacon, not any given aptamer is suitable for designing an aptamer beacon probe.

Frailty and neurocognitive impairments in Chinese survivors of childhood cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of frailty and the association between frailty and neurocognitive impairments among Chinese survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods: A total of 185 survivors of childhood cancer were recruited from a long-term follow-up clinic in Hong Kong (response rate: 94.4%; 48.

Adaptive average arterial pressure control by multi-agent on-policy reinforcement learning.

The current research introduces a model-free ultra-local model (MFULM) controller that utilizes the multi-agent on-policy reinforcement learning (MAOPRL) technique for remotely regulating blood pressure through precise drug dosing in a closed-loop system. Within the closed-loop system, there exists a MFULM controller, an observer, and an intelligent MAOPRL algorithm. Initially, a flexible MFULM controller is created to make adjustments to blood pressure and medication dosages.

Common biomarkers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis based on WGCNA and machine learning.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is known to be a major complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and a leading cause of death in SSc patients. As the most common type of ILD, the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), protein‒protein interaction, Kaplan-Meier curve, univariate Cox analysis and machine learning methods were used on datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Mechanisms driving different QPD cells response signals revealed by a single cell irradiated with a laser.

The response mechanism of a Four-Quadrant Photodetector (QPD) in an experimental setting was studied by irradiating a single QPD cell with a millisecond-pulsed laser. The response signal of the irradiated QPD cell varied with energy flux, pulse width, and applied bias, and comprised four main stages: an initial stage, decreasing barrier stage, holding stage, and recovery stage. Not only was the response signal of the irradiated cell affected by laser irradiation, but also the responses of the other three cells.