A glutathione S-transferase from Thinopyrum ponticum confers Fhb7 resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly incited by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, has caused great losses in grain yield and quality of wheat globally. Fhb7, a major gene from 7E chromosome of Thinopyrum ponticum, confers broad resistance to multiple Fusarium species in wheat, and has recently been cloned and identified as encoding a glutathione S-transferase (GST). However, some recent reports raised doubt about if GST is the causal gene of Fhb7. To resolve the discrepancy and validate the gene function of GST in wheat, we phenotyped Fhb7 near-isogenic lines (Jimai22-Fhb7 vs Jimai22) and GST over-expressed lines for FHB resistance. Jimai22-Fhb7 showed significantly higher FHB resistance with a lower percentage of symptomatic spikelets (PSS), Fusarium-damaged kernel (FDK) and Deoxynivalenol (DON) content than susceptible Jimai22 in three experiments. All the positive GST transgenic lines driven by either the maize ubiquitin promoter (MubiP) or its native promoter (NP) with high gene expression in the wheat cultivar 'Fielder' showed high FHB resistance. Only one MubiP-driven transgenic line showed low GST expression and similar susceptibility as Fielder, suggesting high GST expression confers Fhb7 resistance to FHB. Knockout of GST in Jimai22-Fhb7 line using CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-editing showed significantly higher FHB susceptibility compared with the non-edited control plants. Therefore, we confirmed GST as the causal gene of Fhb7 for FHB resistance. Considering its major effect on FHB resistance, pyramiding Fhb7 with other QTLs has a great potential to create highly FHB-resistant wheat cultivars.

Dynamic Transformation of a Ag+-Coordinated Supramolecular Nanostructure from a 1D Needle to a 1D Helical Tube via a 2D Ribbon Accompanying the Conversion of Complex Structures.

We report a unique dynamic morphology transformation of a Ag+-coordinated supramolecular nanostructure accompanying the conversion of complex structures in aqueous solution. In the presence of AgNO3 (1.0 equiv), the achiral bipyridine-based ligand 1G, possessing hydrazine and glycine moieties, preferentially generated a 1D needle-like structure (nanostructure I) based on the 1GAgNO3 complex (1G:Ag+ = 1:1) as a metastable product. Nanostructure I was then transformed into nanostructure II, which was composed of the 1G3Ag2(NO3)2 complex (1G:Ag+ = 3:2) as the thermodynamically stable product. This nanostructure exhibited a 1D helical tubular structure with a uniform diameter via a 2D ribbon as an intermediator, which led to the generation of a circular dichroism (CD) signal with right-handed (P-type) helicity. The observed dynamic transformation was attributed to formation of the thermodynamically favored helical 1G3Ag2(NO3)2 complex. In addition, the helical 1G3Ag2(NO3)2 complex acted as an initiator in the transformation from the 1D needle-like structure to the 1D helical tube via a 2D ribbon. The enhanced ΔG° value of nanostructure II compared to that of nanostructure I confirmed that nanostructure II is thermodynamically stable. More importantly, the transformation of supramolecular nanostructure I to nanostructure II occurred via an "on" pathway, even though the 1GAgNO3 complex was converted to the 1G3Ag2(NO3)2 complex, which did not involve dissociation from nanostructure I into the monomeric 1GAgNO3 complex species. In the kinetic study, the NO3- anion was found to act as an accelerator for the dynamic transformation from nanostructure I to nanostructure II. This result provides the first example of a dynamic transformation of a 1D needle-like structure into a 1D tubular structure via a 2D ribbon structure, accompanied by the conversion of a complex structure and the generation of a large CD signal for the metallo-supramolecular nanostructure. This study may open up new avenues to the understanding of a dynamic morphology transformation process in biological systems.

Perioperative risk factors for new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia to occur after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the risk factors for new-onset POAF after CABG during the perioperative period have yet to be clearly defined. Accordingly, the aim of our systematic review was to evaluate the perioperative predictors of new-onset POAF after isolated CABG. METHOD: Our review methods adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycArticles, Cochrane, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) to identify all relevant English articles published up to January 2020. Identified studies were screened independently by two researchers for selection, according to predefined criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies retained. RESULTS: After screening, nine studies were retained for analysis, including 4798 patients, of whom 1555 (32.4%) experienced new-onset POAF after CABG. The incidence rate of new-onset POAF ranged between 17.3% and 47.4%. The following risk factors were identified: old age (p < 0.001), a high preoperative serum creatinine level (p = 0.001), a low preoperative hemoglobin level (p = 0.007), a low left ventricle ejection fraction in Asian patients (p = 0.001), essential hypertension (p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.010), renal failure (p = 0.009), cardiopulmonary bypass use (p = 0.002), perfusion time (p = 0.017), postoperative use of inotropes (p < 0.001), postoperative renal failure (p = 0.001), and re-operation (p = 0.005). All studies included in the analysis were of good quality. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors identified in our review could be used to improve monitoring of at-risk patients for early detection and treatment of new-onset POAF after CABG, reducing the risk of other complications and negative clinical outcomes.

Electrical Stability of Solution-Processed Indium Oxide Thin-Film Transistors.

We investigated the electrical stability of bottom-gate/top-contact-structured indium oxide (In2O3) thin-film transistors (TFTs) in atmospheric air and under vacuum. The solution-processed In2O3 film exhibits a nanocrystalline morphology with grain boundaries. The fabricated In2O3 TFTs operate in an n-type enhancement mode. Over repeated TFT operation under vacuum, the TFTs exhibit a slight increase in the field-effect mobility, possibly due to multiple instances of the "trapping and release" behavior of electrons at grain boundaries. On the other hand, a decrease in the fieldeffect mobility and an increase in the hysteresis are observed as the measurement continues in atmospheric air. These results suggest that the electrical stability of solution-processed In2O3 TFTs is significantly affected by the electron-trapping phenomenon at crystal grain boundaries in the In2O3 semiconductor and the electrostatic interactions between electrons and polar water molecules.

The Combined Action of ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1, PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4, and SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED101 Promotes Salicylic Acid-Mediated Defenses to Limit Fusarium graminearum Infection in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease in wheat and other cereals. F. graminearum also causes disease in Arabidopsis thaliana. In both Arabidopsis and wheat, F. graminearum infection is limited by salicylic acid (SA) signaling. Here, we show that, in Arabidopsis, the defense regulator EDS1 (ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1) and its interacting partners, PAD4 (PHYTOALEXIN-DEFICIENT4) and SAG101 (SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE101), promote SA accumulation to curtail F. graminearum infection. Characterization of plants expressing the PAD4 noninteracting eds1(L262P) indicated that interaction between EDS1 and PAD4 is critical for limiting F. graminearum infection. A conserved serine in the predicted acyl hydrolase catalytic triad of PAD4, which is not required for defense against bacterial and oomycete pathogens, is necessary for limiting F. graminearum infection. These results suggest a molecular configuration of PAD4 in Arabidopsis defense against F. graminearum that is different from its defense contribution against other pathogens. We further show that constitutive expression of Arabidopsis PAD4 can enhance FHB resistance in Arabidopsis and wheat. Taken together with previous studies of wheat and Arabidopsis expressing salicylate hydroxylase or the SA-response regulator NPR1 (NON-EXPRESSER OF PR GENES1), our results show that exploring fundamental processes in a model plant provides important leads to manipulating crops for improved disease resistance.

Facilitation of Fusarium graminearum Infection by 9-Lipoxygenases in Arabidopsis and Wheat.

Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight, an important disease of wheat. F. graminearum can also cause disease in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis LOX1 and LOX5 genes, which encode 9-lipoxygenases (9-LOXs), are targeted during this interaction to facilitate infection. LOX1 and LOX5 expression were upregulated in F. graminearum-inoculated plants and loss of LOX1 or LOX5 function resulted in enhanced disease resistance in the corresponding mutant plants. The enhanced resistance to F. graminearum infection in the lox1 and lox5 mutants was accompanied by more robust induction of salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and signaling and attenuation of jasmonic acid (JA) signaling in response to infection. The lox1- and lox5-conferred resistance was diminished in plants expressing the SA-degrading salicylate hydroxylase or by the application of methyl-JA. Results presented here suggest that plant 9-LOXs are engaged during infection to control the balance between SA and JA signaling to facilitate infection. Furthermore, since silencing of TaLpx-1 encoding a 9-LOX with homology to LOX1 and LOX5, resulted in enhanced resistance against F. graminearum in wheat, we suggest that 9-LOXs have a conserved role as susceptibility factors in disease caused by this important fungus in Arabidopsis and wheat.

B56δ subunit of protein phosphatase 2A decreases phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at serine 116: Mechanism underlying aphidicolin-stimulated NO production.

DNA damage is significant in endothelial cells (EC), particularly in anticancer chemotherapy. Here, we explored whether and how aphidicolin, a DNA-damaging chemical with a promising anticancer activity, alters NO production in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). In addition to increasing eNOS-Ser1179 phosphorylation, aphidicolin decreased eNOS-Ser116 phosphorylation with a concomitant increase in NO production in a time-dependent manner. The amino acid sequence around the eNOS-Ser116 residue was identified as the substrate site of the regulatory subunit B56δ of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). As expected, okadaic acid, a specific PP2A inhibitor, reversed aphidicolin-induced eNOS-Ser116 dephosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Aphidicolin also increased B56δ-Ser566 phosphorylation, although expression of neither the catalytic subunit Cα (PP2A Cα) nor B56δ was altered. Ectopic expression of dominant negative (dn)-B56δ reversed all of the observed effects of aphidicolin with respect to phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser116 and B56δ-Ser566. Lastly, aphidicolin-stimulated NO production was also partially attenuated by ectopic expression of dn-B56δ. Taken together, our results are the first to demonstrate that aphidicolin decreases phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser116, at least in part by activating PP2A B56δ, resulting in NO release in BAEC.

Prevalence and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of adult patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize quantitative research findings on the prevalence and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted for the period from May 2008 to December 2023 by searching the five electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane library. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The meta-analysis estimated the pooled odds ratio or standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of twenty-five studies with 10,409 patients were included in the analysis. The overall in-hospital mortality of patients on VA-ECMO was 56.7 %. In the subgroup analysis, in-hospital mortality of VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest was 49.2 % and 75.2 %, respectively. The number of significant factors associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in the pre-ECMO period (age, body weight, creatinine, chronic kidney disease, pH, and lactic acid) was greater than that in the intra- and post-ECMO periods. Renal replacement, bleeding, and lower limb ischemia were the most significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients receiving VA-ECMO. CONCLUSION: Early detection of the identified risk factors can contribute to reducing in-hospital mortality in patients on VA-ECMO. Intensive care unit nurses should provide timely and appropriate care before, during, and after VA-ECMO. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Intensive care unit nurses should be knowledgeable about factors associated with the in-hospital mortality of patients on VA-ECMO to improve outcomes. The present findings may contribute to developing guidelines for reducing in-hospital mortality among patients considering ECMO.

Molecular Dynamics Studies of Atomistically Determined Fibrillar Assemblies: Comparison of the Rippled ß-Sheet, Pleated ß-Sheet, and Herringbone Structures.

Pauling and Corey expected that a racemic mixture would result in a rippled ß-sheet, however, it has been known from experiments that the racemic mixtures of triphenylalanine lead to a herringbone structure. Because of the theoretical limitations concerning crystal structures such as rippled ß-sheet, it is inevitable to understand how the interplay of the amino acids prefers a specific structural motif. In this paper we use molecular dynamics to understand the sequence- and enantiomer-dependent structures by comparisons between rippled ß-sheet and pleated ß-sheet, solvated and anhydrous rippled ß-sheet, and rippled ß-sheet and the herringbone structure, based on thermodynamics and structures at the atomic level. The tripeptides select the favored structure that can be stabilized through aromatic or hydrogen bonding interactions between tripeptides. Furthermore, the solubility is determined by the environment of space that is created around the side chains. Our findings provide comprehensive insight into the crystallized fibril motif of the polypeptide.

Induction of ICAM1 in Brain Vessels is Implicated in an Early AD Pathogenesis by Modulating Neprilysin.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) is a vessel adhesion protein induced during brain vascular inflammation, which could be closely linked with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated the effect of ICAM1 on amyloid-degrading enzymes (ADEs) in endothelial cells and their potential involvement in inflammation and AD progression. TNF-α treatment increased ICAM1 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) but decreased the neprilysin (NEP) protein level. Knock-down of ICAM1 using siRNA enhanced NEP, which increased the degradation of amyloid-ß. In the brains of 4-month-old AD transgenic mice (APPswe/PSEN1dE9), there were significantly higher levels of ICAM1 expression and amyloid deposits but lower levels of NEP and insulin-degrading enzymes (IDE), demonstrating an inverse correlation of ICAM1 with NEP and IDE expression. Further studies demonstrated significantly increased GFAP protein levels in the brain, specifically localized near blood vessels, of both TNF-α-injected and 4-month-old AD transgenic mice. Taken together, the induction of ICAM1 in endothelial cells suppresses NEP expression, accelerating the accumulation of amyloid-ß in blood vessels. It also enhances leukocyte adhesion to blood vessels stimulating the migration of leukocytes into the brain, subsequently triggering brain inflammation.

Effects of Post-UV/Ozone Treatment on Electrical Characteristics of Solution-Processed Copper Oxide Thin-Film Transistors.

To realize oxide semiconductor-based complementary circuits and better transparent display applications, the electrical properties of p-type oxide semiconductors and the performance improvement of p-type oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) are required. In this study, we report the effects of post-UV/ozone (O3) treatment on the structural and electrical characteristics of copper oxide (CuO) semiconductor films and the TFT performance. The CuO semiconductor films were fabricated using copper (II) acetate hydrate as a precursor material to solution processing and the UV/O3 treatment was performed as a post-treatment after the CuO film was fabricated. During the post-UV/O3 treatment for up to 13 min, the solution-processed CuO films exhibited no meaningful change in the surface morphology. On the other hand, analysis of the Raman and X-ray photoemission spectra of solution-processed CuO films revealed that the post-UV/O3 treatment induced compressive stress in the film and increased the composition concentration of Cu-O lattice bonding. In the post-UV/O3-treated CuO semiconductor layer, the Hall mobility increased significantly to approximately 280 cm2 V-1 s-1, and the conductivity increased to approximately 4.57 × 10-2 Ω-1 cm-1. Post-UV/O3-treated CuO TFTs also showed improved electrical properties compared to those of untreated CuO TFTs. The field-effect mobility of the post-UV/O3-treated CuO TFT increased to approximately 6.61 × 10-3 cm-2 V-1 s-1, and the on-off current ratio increased to approximately 3.51 × 103. These improvements in the electrical characteristics of CuO films and CuO TFTs can be understood through the suppression of weak bonding and structural defects between Cu and O bonds after post-UV/O3 treatment. The result demonstrates that the post-UV/O3 treatment can be a viable method to improve the performance of p-type oxide TFTs.

Analyzing Acceptor-like State Distribution of Solution-Processed Indium-Zinc-Oxide Semiconductor Depending on the In Concentration.

Understanding the density of state (DOS) distribution in solution-processed indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is crucial for addressing electrical instability. This paper presents quantitative calculations of the acceptor-like state distribution of solution-processed IZO TFTs using thermal energy analysis. To extract the acceptor-like state distribution, the electrical characteristics of IZO TFTs with various In molarity ratios were analyzed with respect to temperature. An Arrhenius plot was used to determine electrical parameters such as the activation energy, flat band energy, and flat band voltage. Two calculation methods, the simplified charge approximation and the Meyer-Neldel (MN) rule-based carrier-surface potential field-effect analysis, were proposed to estimate the acceptor-like state distribution. The simplified charge approximation established the modeling of acceptor-like states using the charge-voltage relationship. The MN rule-based field-effect analysis validated the DOS distribution through the carrier-surface potential relationship. In addition, this study introduces practical and effective approaches for determining the DOS distribution of solution-processed IZO semiconductors based on the In molarity ratio. The profiles of the acceptor-like state distribution provide insights into the electrical behavior depending on the doping concentration of the solution-processed IZO semiconductors.

Investigation of Donor-like State Distributions in Solution-Processed IZO Thin-Film Transistor through Photocurrent Analysis.

The density of donor-like state distributions in solution-processed indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is thoroughly analyzed using photon energy irradiation. This study focuses on quantitatively calculating the distribution of density of states (DOS) in IZO semiconductors, with a specific emphasis on their variation with indium concentration. Two calculation methods, namely photoexcited charge collection spectroscopy (PECCS) and photocurrent-induced DOS spectroscopy (PIDS), are employed to estimate the density of the donor-like states. This dual approach not only ensures the accuracy of the findings but also provides a comprehensive perspective on the properties of semiconductors. The results reveal a consistent characteristic: the Recombination-Generation (R-G) center energy ET, a key aspect of the donor-like state, is acquired at approximately 3.26 eV, irrespective of the In concentration. This finding suggests that weak bonds and oxygen vacancies within the Zn-O bonding structure of IZO semiconductors act as the primary source of R-G centers, contributing to the donor-like state distribution. By highlighting this fundamental aspect of IZO semiconductors, this study enhances our understanding of their charge-transport mechanisms. Moreover, it offers valuable insight for addressing stability issues such as negative bias illumination stress, potentially leading to the improved performance and reliability of solution-processed IZO TFTs. The study contributes to the advancement of displays and technologies by presenting further innovations and applications for evaluating the fundamentals of semiconductors.

Clinical outcomes of nephrocalcinosis in preschool-age children: association between nephrocalcinosis improvement and long-term kidney function.

Background: We evaluated the long-term clinical outcomes of nephrocalcinosis (NC) according to etiology and grade in preschool-age children with NC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes and disease grade of children with NC classified into three groups according to etiology: prematurity, tubular disorders, and others. Results: Overall, 67 children were diagnosed with NC [median age, 0.76 years; interquartile range (IQR) 0.46-2.14 years]. The etiologies of NC included prematurity (28.4%), tubular disorders (25.4%), and others (46.3%). Moreover, 56 (83.6%) children were asymptomatic and diagnosed accidentally through kidney ultrasonography. Newly diagnosed underlying diseases were greater in the tubular disorders group than in the other two groups (P = 0.001). Significantly more newly diagnosed NCs were grade 3 than grade 1 (P = 0.003). The median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changed from 96.1 (IQR 68.8-119.2) ml/min/1.72 m2 at diagnosis to 90.9 (IQR 76.4-106.4) ml/min/1.72 m2 at the last follow-up, without a significant difference (P = 0.096). Changes in the kidney function did not differ according to etiology. However, patients without improvement in NC grade showed a decrease in eGFR from 98.1 (IQR 71.1-132.9) to 87.4 (IQR 74.0-104.1) ml/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.023), while patients with improved NC grade did not show any change in the kidney function. Conclusions: Early recognition, especially in NC grade 3, can help uncover further diagnoses, such as tubular disorders. Long-term kidney function depends on whether the NC grade improves.

Functional Group-Dependent Proton Conductivity of Phosphoric Acid-Doped Ion-Pair Coordinated Polymer Electrolytes: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Toward deployment of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) in our daily lives, multiple research efforts have been dedicated to develop high-performance phosphate-doped polymer electrolytes. Recently, ion-pair coordinated polymers have garnered attention for their high stability and proton conductivity. However, a comprehensive understanding of how proton transport properties are modified by the functional groups present in these polymers is still lacking. In this study, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the impact of different functional group types and conversion ratios on conductivity. We find that Grotthuss-type hopping transport predominantly governs the overall conductivity, surpassing vehicular transport by factors of 100-1000. As conductivity scales with proton concentration, we observe that less-bulky functional groups offer advantages by minimizing the volume expansion associated with increased conversion ratios. Additionally, we show that a strong ion-pair interaction between the cationic functional group and the phosphate anion disrupts the suitable intermolecular orientations required for efficient proton hopping between phosphate and phosphoric acid molecules, thereby diminishing the proton conductivity. Our study underscores the importance of optimizing the strength of ion-pair interactions to balance stability and proton conductivity, thus paving the way for the development of ion-pair coordinated polymer electrolytes with improved performance.

Long-term outcomes and associated prognostic risk factors of childhood-onset lupus nephritis.

Background: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and kidney outcomes of childhood-onset lupus nephritis (LN), and risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods: We enrolled 216 patients with histologically diagnosed LN during childhood. The Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology organized a retrospective cohort study of childhood-onset LN in 13 major pediatric nephrology centers in South Korea. Results: The mean age at kidney biopsy was 13.2 ± 3.22 years. The main forms of presentation were nephrotic syndrome and/or hematuria in 152 patients (70.4%), and the most common histological finding was World Health Organization (WHO) class IV in 138 patients (63.9%), followed by WHO class III in 34 patients (15.7%). In the outcome analysis, the mean follow-up period of the patients was 7.8 ± 5.11 years. At last follow-up, 32 patients (14.8%) developed advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Male sex and failure to achieve remission at 12 months of treatment were significant risk factors for developing advanced CKD (hazard ratio of 2.57 and 2.29, respectively). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with childhood-onset LN. Male sex and failure to achieve remission in the first year of treatment were predictive of advanced CKD. Therefore, prompt awareness and close monitoring of these high-risk patients are needed, which may further improve the prognosis of children with LN.

Salicylic acid regulates basal resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a destructive disease of cereal crops such as wheat and barley. Previously, expression in wheat of the Arabidopsis NPR1 gene (AtNPR1), which encodes a key regulator of salicylic acid (SA) signaling, was shown to reduce severity of FHB caused by Fusarium graminearum. It was hypothesized that SA signaling contributes to wheat defense against F. graminearum. Here, we show that increased accumulation of SA in fungus-infected spikes correlated with elevated expression of the SA-inducible pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) gene and FHB resistance. In addition, FHB severity and mycotoxin accumulation were curtailed in wheat plants treated with SA and in AtNPR1 wheat, which is hyper-responsive to SA. In support of a critical role for SA in basal resistance to FHB, disease severity was higher in wheat expressing the NahG-encoded salicylate hydroxylase, which metabolizes SA. The FHB-promoting effect of NahG was overcome by application of benzo (1,2,3), thiadiazole-7 carbothioic acid S-methyl ester, a synthetic functional analog of SA, thus confirming an important role for SA signaling in basal resistance to FHB. We further demonstrate that jasmonate signaling has a dichotomous role in wheat interaction with F. graminearum, constraining activation of SA signaling during early stages of infection and promoting resistance during the later stages of infection.

Associated Factors and Health Outcomes of Health Literacy and Physical Frailty Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

The current review aimed to systematically describe and synthesize health outcomes and factors associated with health literacy and physical frailty among older adults. Seven electronic databases were searched for observational studies published in English, from database inception to March 31, 2021. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Among the 479 studies identified, nine (6,337 participants) met eligibility criteria. Common factors associated with health literacy and physical frailty were lower educational level, multiple comorbidities, and cognitive dysfunction. Health literacy was mainly associated with self-reported outcomes, whereas physical frailty was related to clinical outcomes. Prospective studies are required to identify the impact of limited health literacy, combined with frailty, on long-term health outcomes in older adults. Health literacy interventions should consider the older adult population with multiple comorbidities. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(1), 39-52.].

Atomic Structure Evaluation of Solution-Processed a-IZO Films and Electrical Behavior of a-IZO TFTs.

Understanding the chemical reaction pathway of the metal-salt precursor is essential for modifying the properties of solution-processed metal-oxide thin films and further improving their electrical performance. In this study, we focused on the structural growth of solution-processed amorphous indium-zinc-oxide (a-IZO) films and the electrical behavior of a-IZO thin-film transistors (TFT). To this end, solution-processed a-IZO films were prepared with respect to the Zn molar ratio, and their structural characteristics were analyzed. For the structural characteristic analysis of the a-IZO film, the cross-section, morphology, crystallinity, and atomic composition characteristics were used as the measurement results. Furthermore, the chemical reaction pathway of the nitrate precursor-based IZO solution was evaluated for the growth process of the a-IZO film structure. These interpretations of the growth process and chemical reaction pathway of the a-IZO film were assumed to be due to the thermal decomposition of the IZO solution and the structural rearrangement after annealing. Finally, based on the structural/chemical results, the electrical performance of the fabricated a-IZO TFT depending on the Zn concentration was evaluated, and the electrical behavior was discussed in relation to the structural characteristics.

Investigation on Atomic Bonding Structure of Solution-Processed Indium-Zinc-Oxide Semiconductors According to Doped Indium Content and Its Effects on the Transistor Performance.

The atomic composition ratio of solution-processed oxide semiconductors is crucial in controlling the electrical performance of thin-film transistors (TFTs) because the crystallinity and defects of the random network structure of oxide semiconductors change critically with respect to the atomic composition ratio. Herein, the relationship between the film properties of nitrate precursor-based indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) semiconductors and electrical performance of solution-processed IZO TFTs with respect to the In molar ratio was investigated. The thickness, morphological characteristics, crystallinity, and depth profile of the IZO semiconductor film were measured to analyze the correlation between the structural properties of IZO film and electrical performances of the IZO TFT. In addition, the stoichiometric and electrical properties of the IZO semiconductor films were analyzed using film density, atomic composition profile, and Hall effect measurements. Based on the structural and stoichiometric results for the IZO semiconductor, the doping effect of the IZO film with respect to the In molar ratio was theoretically explained. The atomic bonding structure by the In doping in solution-processed IZO semiconductor and resulting increase in free carriers are discussed through a simple bonding model and band gap formation energy.