Comprehensive modulatory effects of whole grain consumption on immune-mediated inflammation in middle-aged and elderly community residents: A real-world randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whole grain consumption is widely recognized as a vital component of a balanced diet. Dietary fiber has been well-documented to play a crucial role in these health benefits attributed to whole grain intake. However, population-based evidence directly linking whole grain consumption to anti-inflammatory effects, especially in the context of immune-mediated inflammation, remains limited. We hypothesized that whole grain consumption promotes health by modulating immune-mediated inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was designed as a real-world, population-based randomized controlled trial. We compared the effects of whole grain versus refined grain consumption on immune-mediated inflammation through staple food substitution, while participants maintained their usual dietary practices. The results demonstrated that whole grain consumption significantly reduced circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-22 and IL-23 compared to refined grain consumption. These reductions were associated with optimized short-chain fatty acid profiles and changes in CD4+ T cell subset distributions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of whole grain consumption in middle-aged and elderly populations are mediated by targeting specific CD4+ T cell subsets, in addition to modulating both upstream short-chain fatty acid composition and downstream expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-22 and IL-23.

Hydrodynamic and trophic variations reshape macroinvertebrate food webs in urban ecosystems.

Urbanization is modifying aquatic ecosystems, with hydrodynamic and trophic variations altering biotic assemblages in rapidly expanding cities worldwide. Despite the fundamental bioenergetic role of food webs within these assemblages, their responding mechanism to the hydrodynamic and trophic variations remains largely unknown. Here we show that hydrodynamic and trophic loss, coupled with the weakening of cascade controls by key trophic guilds, leads to a significant decline in the structure, function and stability of macroinvertebrate food webs. Utilizing the allometric diet breadth model and biomass balance model, we established representative food webs for macroinvertebrate groups under varying hydrodynamic and trophic stresses. We found that such losses have reduced ∼75% trophic guild richness, ∼85% biomass flux, and ∼80% biomass storage. These reductions promote trophic guild specialization, further destabilizing food web, eroding interactive strength asymmetry, and diminishing the control of trophic guilds. Furthermore, macroinvertebrate food webs show divergent stability responses under similar stress levels, mainly driven by differences in the cascade controls exerted by key trophic guilds. Our results underscore the critical role of hydrodynamic and trophic variations in shaping urban aquatic ecosystems and highlight the significance of both external environmental revitalization and internal food web dynamics enhancement in restoring the ecological stability in urban settings.

Prognostic factors in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy: a retrospective two-center study from China.

Purpose: This two-center study aimed to explore the main prognostic factors affecting the final disease status in children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer (caDTC) following total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy (RAIT). Materials and methods: All caDTC patients from two centers in the period from 2004-2022 were retrospectively included. At the last follow-up, the patients' disease status was assessed and classified as an incomplete response (IR) or as an excellent or indeterminate response (EIDR). Then, the difference in preablation stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) levels between the two groups was compared, and the threshold for predicting IR was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing the patients' ultimate disease outcomes. Results: A total of 143 patients (98 females, 45 males; median age 16 years) were recruited. After a median follow-up of 42.9 months, 80 patients (55.9%) exhibited an EIDR, whereas 63 patients (44.1%) exhibited an IR. Patients with an IR had significantly greater ps-Tg levels than did those with an EIDR (median ps-Tg 79.2 ng/mL vs. 9.3 ng/mL, p<0.001). The ROC curve showed that ps-Tg ≥20 ng/mL was the most accurate for predicting IR at the last follow-up. According to multivariate analysis, only ps-Tg, T stage and the therapeutic response to initial RAIT were significantly associated with IR. Conclusion: In caDTC patients, the ps-Tg level, T stage, and response to initial RAIT are critical final outcome indicators.

A broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against H5 viruses bearing different sub-clade 2.3.4.4 HA genes.

The global spread of H5 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses threatens poultry and public health. The continuous circulation of these viruses has led to their considerable genetic and antigenic evolution, resulting in the formation of eight subclades (2.3.4.4a-h). Here, we examined the antigenic sites that determine the antigenic differences between two H5 vaccine strains, H5-Re8 (clade 2.3.4.4g) and H5-Re11 (clade 2.3.4.4h). Epitope mapping data revealed that all eight identified antigenic sites were located within two classical antigenic regions, with five sites in region A (positions 115, 120, 124, 126, and 140) and three in region B (positions 151, 156, and 185). Through antigenic cartography analysis of mutants with varying numbers of substitutions, we confirmed that a combination of mutations in these eight sites reverses the antigenicity of H5-Re11 to that of H5-Re8, and vice versa. More importantly, our analyses identified H5-Re11_Q115L/R120S/A156T (H5-Re11 + 3) as a promising candidate for a broad-spectrum vaccine, positioned centrally in the antigenic map, and offering potential universal protection against all variants within the clade 2.3.4.4. H5-Re11 + 3 serum has better cross-reactivity than sera generated with other 2.3.4.4 vaccines, and H5-Re11 + 3 vaccine provided 100% protection of chickens against antigenically drifted H5 viruses from various 2.3.4.4 antigenic groups. Our findings suggest that antigenic regions A and B are immunodominant in H5 viruses, and that antigenic cartography-guided vaccine design is a promising strategy for selecting a broad-spectrum vaccine.

Neutrophil extracellular trap related risk score exhibits crucial prognostic value in skin cutaneous melanoma, associating with distinct immune characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are related to the prognosis of cancer patients. Nevertheless, the potential prognostic values of NETs in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) remains largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NET-related gene signature was constructed by LASSO Cox regression analysis using the TCGA-SKCM cohort. The overall survival (OS) and immune status in SKCM patients between the high- and low-NET score (high-score, low-score) groups were explored. The scRNA-seq dataset GSE115978 was used to understand the role of NET score in SKCM at single cell resolution. RESULTS: A five NET genes-based signature (TLR2, CLEC6A, PDE4B, SLC22A4 and CYP4F3) was constructed as the NET-related prognostic model for SKCM. The OS of SKCM patients with low-score was better than that in patients with high-score. Additionally, NET score was negatively associated with infiltration of some immune cells (e.g. type I Macrophages, CD8-T cells, CD4-T cells). Moreover, patients with high-score had low stromal, immune and ESTIMATE scores. Furthermore, drug sensitivity analysis results showed that Lapatinib, Trametinib and Erlotinib may have better therapeutic advantages in patients with high-score. CONCLUSION: We established a NET-related five gene signature in SKCM and found that the NET-related signature may exhibit a good predictive ability for SKCM prognosis. The NET score may not only predict the survival outcome and drug sensitivity in SKCM, but also reflect the immune conditions of SKCM patients.

Developmental toxicity of an emerging organophosphate ester Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phenyl phosphate on embryonic zebrafish: Comparison to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate.

Bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phenyl phosphate (BEHPP) and its structural analog, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), are widely present in the environment. However, their toxic effects, particularly developmental toxicity, remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of BEHPP and EHDPP on multiple developmental endpoints in zebrafish. BEHPP did not lead to mortality and malformations of embryos within the test concentration range (0.5-4.0 µM). In contrast, EHDPP had significant lethal effects, with an LC50 of 2.44 µM, and induced malformations, notably pericardial edema (PE), with an EC50 of 1.77 µM. In addition, BEHPP induced cardiac dysfunctions in embryos to a similar degree as EHDPP. Both stroke volume and cardiac output were significantly increased at BEHPP concentrations of 1.8 nM and above and at EHDPP concentrations of 4.3 nM and above. Transcriptomic analysis further corroborated the similar disturbance at the molecular level for both substances and revealed the Key Events (KEs) in the cardiac toxic regulation, including the focal adhesions, ECM-receptor interaction, cardiac muscle contraction, and the adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, the present study provided novel insights into the adverse effects of these emerging organophosphate esters and highlighted their potential risks to embryonic development in both ecosystems and humans.

Mutation Breeding of Monascus to Produce a High Yield of Orange Pigment and Low Citrinin Content Using the ARTP Method.

Monascus is a filamentous fungus with a long history of application in China, which can produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including Monascus red pigments, Monascus orange pigments, Monascus yellow pigments, and citrinin. There is widespread attention being paid to natural pigments because of their safety. Among the many natural pigments, orange pigment has a wide range of applications because of its unique color, but current production levels in the orange pigment industry are limited to a certain extent due to the insufficiently wide range of sources and low production. In this study, the ARTP mutation was used to obtain a strain with high-yield orange pigment and low citrinin. The strain RS7 was obtained through two-step mutagenesis, and all three pigments were improved to different degrees. The color value of orange pigment was elevated from the original 108 U/mL to 180 U/mL, an increase of 66.7% compared to the original strain, and the citrinin content was reduced by 69%. The result of microscopic morphology showed that RS7 has more wrinkles and is more convex than the R1 strain, but there was little change between the two strains. Therefore, the ARTP mutation influenced the growth and the biosynthesis of pigments in Monascus. In addition, the conditions of ultrasonic extraction of Monascus pigments were optimized using the response surface, and the separation of pigments was achieved with the method of thin-layer chromatography. Pigment stability results showed that the temperature had no significant effect on orange pigment, while tea polyphenol could improve its stability. This study generated a strain with high-yielding orange pigment and could lay a foundation for the future application of Monascus orange pigment in the food industry.

A novel dual S-scheme Co9S8/MnCdS/Co3O4 heterojunction for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation.

Rational design and synthesis of a unique heterojunction photocatalyst structure is an important strategy to enhance its performance and structural stability. Herein, Co9S8/MnCdS/Co3O4 photocatalysts with double S-scheme heterojunctions were successfully prepared by coupling Co9S8 and Co3O4 sheet structures with n-type MnCdS nanoparticles through a simple solvothermal and mechanical mixing method. The construction of the dual S-scheme heterostructure offers the possibility to expand the light absorption range, extend the carrier lifetime and maximise the redox capacity. In addition, the mechanism of charge transfer and the reason for the improvement of photocatalytic activity were explored through photoelectrochemical characterization. The lamellar structures of Co9S8 and Co3O4 not only provide excellent dispersion and slow down the agglomeration of MnCdS nanoparticles, but also promote charge transfer, which improves the photocatalytic hydrogen production effect. Under simulated solar irradiation, the evolution rate of H2 after 5 h was as high as 46.44 µmol, which was 3.49 and 1.49 times higher than those of pristine MnCdS and MnCdS/Co3O4, respectively. Meanwhile, it has good stability under 20 h irradiation. This work demonstrates a novel idea for the rational design of double S-scheme photocatalysts with efficient space separation.

AOP-Anchored Transcriptome Analysis Catalogue Accelerates the Discovery of Environmental Toxicants in Zebrafish.

Current toxicity screening approaches to evaluate the vast number of environmental chemicals that require assessment are hampered due to their significant costs, time requirements, and reliance on live animal testing. The aim of the present study was to develop an adverse outcome pathway (AOP)-anchored transcriptome analysis (AATA) catalogue to expedite the discovery of environmental toxicants. 437 AOPs from the AOPwiki (https://aopwiki.org/) and 2280 transcriptomics data sets from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and EMBL-EBI ArrayExpress (AE) repositories were comprehensively reviewed and analyzed. By using the differentially expressed molecular key event (mKE) genes as connection nodes, we created a large-scale environmental substance─target gene (mKE)─predicted adverse outcomes (SGAs) network that included 78 substances, 1099 genes, and 354 adverse outcomes (AOs). To validate the reliability of the network, comprehensive literature verification was conducted. We demonstrated that 164 of the 354 AOs identified have been previously characterized in the literature. The results for 136 of these AOs were consistent with the predictions of the AATA catalogue, representing an accuracy rate of 82.9%. Besides, distinct patterns in molecular KEs and AOs among categories of substances, such as biocides and metals, were demonstrated. Some representative substances, including atrazine and copper, pose significant risks to fish at various levels of biological organization. Moreover, experimental verification of the AATA predictions was conducted, including exposures of zebrafish to perfluorooctanesulfonate, cresyl diphenyl phosphate, and lanthanum. Results demonstrated consistency with predictions of the AATA catalogue, with an accuracy rate of 92.3%. Collectively, the present findings support the AATA catalogue as an efficient and promising platform for identifying environmental toxicants to fish and thereby provide novel insights into the understanding of potential risks of environmental contaminants.

Language confidence and job satisfaction among foreign-born nurses in Japan: mediating effect of workplace discrimination and moderating effect of immigration duration.

AIM: This study explored the relationship between language confidence and job satisfaction, the mediating role of workplace discrimination, and the moderating role of immigration duration among foreign-born nurses in Japan. INTRODUCTION: Job satisfaction is an important factor in preventing migrant nurses' turnover intentions; however, the relationships among language confidence, immigration duration, workplace discrimination, and job satisfaction among foreign-born nurses remain unclear. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected between June and August 2022 through an online survey of nurses who were born outside of Japan but were currently working as registered nurses in Japan. PROCESS v4.0 Macro for SPSS 28.0 was applied to analyze the effect of language confidence on job satisfaction, the mediator effect of workplace discrimination (model 4), and the moderator effect of immigration duration (model 15). RESULTS: Data from 187 participants were analyzed. The results showed that 1) foreign-born nurses' language confidence was negatively correlated with workplace discrimination and positively correlated with job satisfaction; 2) workplace discrimination played a partially mediating role between language confidence and job satisfaction; and 3) immigration duration positively moderated the relationship between language confidence and job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Foreign-born nurses with stronger confidence in their proficiency in Japanese perceived less workplace discrimination and higher job satisfaction. Workplace discrimination acted as a mediator in the relationship between language confidence and job satisfaction, and this relationship was strengthened with longer migration periods. Managers and policymakers should implement policies and strategies to combat workplace discrimination and provide tailored support to improve foreign-born nurses' job satisfaction, which may contribute to their retention in Japan.

Population genetics of Todarodes pacificus (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the northwest Pacific Ocean via GBS sequencing.

The common squid, Todarodes pacificus, is an important commercial species that inhabits the northwest Pacific Ocean, particularly the East Japan Sea, the Pacific coast of Japan, and the East China Sea. In this study, we chose 29 individuals from three areas: one type from the Sea of Japan and two types from the East China Sea. A total of 43,529 SNPs were obtained using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Our analyses revealed low genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in each type. Heterozygote deficiency and inbreeding have caused this low level of genetic diversity. Population structure analysis indicated that the three types were genetically similar, which may be attributed to strong gene flow combined with the demographic history events during the last 2 million years. This new GBS application technique provides valuable information for the conservation of marine species genetics and could be useful for the effective management of this resource.

Comparison of global nursing education and necessary supports for nurse educators between Japan and four English-speaking countries: An international cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to compare characteristics of nurse educators, factors related to teaching global nursing, contents of global education and support and the level of burden of global education and factors related to the burden between nurse educators among top nursing universities in Japan and four English-speaking countries. BACKGROUND: Intercultural sensitivity is the active desire to motivate oneself to understand, appreciate and accept different cultures. Nurse educators need to be culturally sensitive to teach cultural care to nursing students. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional exploratory international comparative study using an online survey. METHODS: Participants were nurse educators with a nurse license in the top 20 in Japan and the top 10 universitiesin the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia (hereafter "English-speaking countries"), respectively. The questions in Google form selected participants by the inclusion criteria. Intercultural sensitivity was measured by the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used for the analyses. Data were collected from October 2023 to January 2024. RESULTS: A total of 144 in Japan (response rate=29.0 %) and 106 educators in English-speaking countries (response rate=2.4 %) were included in the analysis. Nurse educators in Japan had less work experience in foreign countries, had fewer opportunities to take part in cross-cultural interactions and had significantly lower intercultural sensitivity. In both groups, those who had more experience in foreign countries with higher intercultural sensitivity taught global nursing. While in Japan nurse educators who had higher proficiency in non-native languages and those who had more frequently taken part in cross-cultural interactions taught global nursing, in English-speaking countries full-time workers who had attended international academic conferences taught. In Japan, global nursing was a more optional course and the number of contents taught was lower. While participants in Japan had international seminars at universities as support for global nursing education, those in English-speaking countries had faculty members with different cultural backgrounds. Participants in Japan felt more burden for global nursing education. In Japan, more proficient non-native language, more frequent cross-cultural interaction and higher intercultural sensitivities were associated with a lower burden, while teaching other than in their native language, contents taught and performance evaluation were associated with a higher burden in English-speaking countries. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intercultural sensitivity, performance evaluation and proficiency in non-native language may be important for nurse educators to teach global nursing and support is necessary to enhance them.

PAK2 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung squamous cell carcinoma through LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway.

Although the p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) is an essential serine/threonine protein kinase, its role in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) progression has yet to be fully understood. We analyzed PAK2 mRNA levels and DNA copy numbers as well as protein levels by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively, in human LUSC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Then, we used colony formation assays, cell counting kit-8 assays, matrigel invasion assays, wound healing assays and xenograft models in nude mice to investigate the functions of PAK2 in LUSC progression. We demonstrated that the mRNA levels, DNA copy numbers, and protein levels of PAK2 were up-regulated in human LUSC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. In addition, a higher PAK2 expression was correlated with a poorer prognosis in LUSC patients. In the in vitro study, we found that PAK2 promoted cell growth, migration, invasion, EMT process, and cell morphology regulation in LUSC cells. Furthermore, PAK2 enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating actin dynamics through the LIMK1/cofilin signaling. Our findings implicated that the PAK2/LIMK1/cofilin signaling pathway is likely a potential clinical marker and therapeutic target for LUSC.

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). Both the bacterial and fungal communities differed the most under the combined fertilizer treatment compared to the control. The bacterial communities differed more under treatments of the SynCom than the chemical fertilizer, while the fungal communities differed more under the chemical fertilizer treatment than the SynCom treatment. Regarding soil function, the SynCom strengthened the correlation between enzyme activities and both bacterial communities and functional properties. pH and available potassium were the main influencing factors under the chemical fertilizer and combined fertilizer treatments. The beta-diversity of the bacterial communities was significantly correlated with soil multifunctionality. Random forest analyses showed that the SynCom significantly enhanced the bacterial communities, driving soil multifunctionality, and that some potential microbial taxa drove multiple nutrient cycles simultaneously. In summary, the SynCom effectively increased the abundance of most carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus functional genes as well as soil enzyme activities. The bacterial community composition contributed significantly to soil multifunctionality. Hence, the development of novel microbial agents holds significant potential for improving soil functionality and managing desertification.

Integrated Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot.

Soybean production is significantly impacted by Phytophthora root rot (PRR), which is caused by Phytophthora sojae. The nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) gene family plays a crucial role in plant disease resistance. However, current understanding of the function of soybean NLR genes in resistance to PRR is limited. To address this knowledge gap, transgenic soybean plants overexpressing the NLR gene (Glyma.18g283200) were generated to elucidate the molecular mechanism of resistance. Here, transcript changes and metabolic differences were investigated at three time points (12, 24, and 36 h) after P. sojae infection in hypocotyls of two soybean lines, Dongnong 50 (susceptible line, WT) and Glyma.18g283200 overexpression line (resistant line, OE). Based on the changes in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to P. sojae infection in different lines and at different time points, it was speculated that HOPZ-ACTIVATED RESISTANCE 1 (ZAR1), valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation, and phytohormone signaling may be involved in the defense response of soybean to P. sojae at the transcriptome level by GO term and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) analysis revealed that a total of 223 and 210 differential metabolites were identified in the positive ion (POS) and negative ion (NEG) modes, respectively. An integrated pathway-level analysis of transcriptomics (obtained by RNA-seq) and metabolomics data revealed that isoflavone biosynthesis was associated with disease resistance. This work provides valuable insights that can be used in breeding programs aiming to enhance soybean resistance against PRR.

The GATA transcription factor BcWCL2 regulates citric acid secretion to maintain redox homeostasis and full virulence in Botrytis cinerea.

Botrytis cinerea is a typical necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus which can deliberately acidify host tissues and trigger oxidative bursts therein to facilitate its virulence. The white collar complex (WCC), consisting of BcWCL1 and BcWCL2, is recognized as the primary light receptor in B. cinerea. Nevertheless, the specific mechanisms through which the WCC components, particularly BcWCL2 as a GATA transcription factor, control virulence are not yet fully understood. This study demonstrates that deletion of BcWCL2 results in the loss of light-sensitive phenotypic characteristics. Additionally, the Δbcwcl2 strain exhibits reduced secretion of citrate, delayed infection cushion development, weaker hyphal penetration, and decreased virulence. The application of exogenous citric acid was found to restore infection cushion formation, hyphal penetration, and virulence of the Δbcwcl2 strain. Transcriptome analysis at 48 h post-inoculation revealed that two citrate synthases, putative citrate transporters, hydrolytic enzymes, and reactive oxygen species scavenging-related genes were down-regulated in Δbcwcl2, whereas exogenous citric acid application restored the expression of the above genes involved in the early infection process of Δbcwcl2. Moreover, the expression of Bcvel1, a known regulator of citrate secretion, tissue acidification, and secondary metabolism, was down-regulated in Δbcwcl2 but not in Δbcwcl1. ChIP-qPCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that BcWCL2 can bind to the promoter sequences of Bcvel1. Overexpressing Bcvel1 in Δbcwcl2 was found to rescue the mutant defects. Collectively, our findings indicate that BcWCL2 regulates the expression of the global regulator Bcvel1 to influence citrate secretion, tissue acidification, redox homeostasis, and virulence of B. cinerea.IMPORTANCEThis study illustrated the significance of the fungal blue light receptor component BcWCL2 protein in regulating citrate secretion in Botrytis cinerea. Unlike BcWCL1, BcWCL2 may contribute to redox homeostasis maintenance during infection cushion formation, ultimately proving to be essential for full virulence. It is also demonstrated that BcWCL2 can regulate the expression of Bcvel1 to influence host tissue acidification, citrate secretion, infection cushion development, and virulence. While the role of organic acids secreted by plant pathogenic fungi in fungus-host interactions has been recognized, this paper revealed the importance, regulatory mechanisms, and key transcription factors that control organic acid secretion. These understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism of plant pathogens can provide valuable insights for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies against fungal diseases.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis reveals key regulatory networks and genes involved in the determination of seed hardness in vegetable soybean.

Seed hardness is an important quality trait of vegetable soybean. To determine the factors underlying seed hardness, two landraces with contrasting seed hardness, Niumaohuang (low seed hardness) and Pixiansilicao (high seed hardness), were selected from 216 soybean accessions originating from 26 provinces in China. The contents of the main components in vegetable soybean seeds such as water, soluble sugar, starch, protein and oil were measured, and transcriptome analyses performed during five stages of seed developmental. Transcriptome analysis indicates that during the middle and late stages of seed development, a large number of genes involved in the synthesis or degradation of starch, storage protein, and fatty acids were differentially expressed, leading to differences in the accumulation of stored substances during seed maturation among Niumaohuang and Pixiansilicao. The activity of cell proliferation and the formation of cell walls in the middle and late stages of seed development may also affect the hardness of seeds to a certain extent. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was undertaken to identify co-expressed gene modules and hub genes that regulate seed hardness. Overexpression of a candidate seed hardness regulatory hub gene, GmSWEET2, resulted in increased seed hardness. In this study, the important role of GmSWEET2 in regulating the hardness of vegetable soybean seeds was verified and numerous potential key regulators controlling seed hardness and the proportion of seed components were identified, laying the groundwork for improving the texture of vegetable soybean.

Exogenous Melatonin Enhances Dihydrochalcone Accumulation in Lithocarpus litseifolius Leaves via Regulating Hormonal Crosstalk and Transcriptional Profiling.

Dihydrochalcones (DHCs) constitute a specific class of flavonoids widely known for their various health-related advantages. Melatonin (MLT) has received attention worldwide as a master regulator in plants, but its roles in DHC accumulation remain unclear. Herein, the elicitation impacts of MLT on DHC biosynthesis were examined in Lithocarpus litseifolius, a valuable medicinal plant famous for its sweet flavor and anti-diabetes effect. Compared to the control, the foliar application of MLT significantly increased total flavonoid and DHC (phlorizin, trilobatin, and phloretin) levels in L. litseifolius leaves, especially when 100 µM MLT was utilized for 14 days. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities were boosted after MLT treatments, resulting in a decrease in the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Remarkably, MLT triggered the biosynthesis of numerous phytohormones linked to secondary metabolism (salicylic acid, methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), and ethylene), while reducing free JA contents in L. litseifolius. Additionally, the flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme activities were enhanced by the MLT in leaves. Multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RNA-seq might play a crucial role in MLT-elicited pathways, particularly those associated with the antioxidant system (SOD, CAT, and POD), transcription factor regulation (MYBs and bHLHs), and DHC metabolism (4CL, C4H, UGT71K1, and UGT88A1). As a result, MLT enhanced DHC accumulation in L. litseifolius leaves, primarily by modulating the antioxidant activity and co-regulating the physiological, hormonal, and transcriptional pathways of DHC metabolism.

Anti-hair loss effect of a shampoo containing caffeine and adenosine.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss is a widespread health problem that affects numerous individuals and is associated with age, lack of sleep, stress, endocrine problems, and other problems. Caffeine exerts various pharmacological effects, particularly after ingestion. The caffeine-induced inhibition of phosphodiesterases can increase intracellular cAMP concentrations, ultimately resulting in stimulatory effects on cell metabolism and proliferation. Hence, caffeine has been confirmed to inhibit hair loss caused by premature termination of the hair growth phase. Adenosine also improves hair loss by stimulating hair growth and thickening hair shafts. However, further empirical evidence is required to comprehensively assess the efficacy of hair loss treatment and prevention using a formulation of caffeine and adenosine in specific proportions in shampoos. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate a shampoo with caffeine and adenosine as a daily scalp care product for hair loss in 77 subjects aged 18-60 years. METHODS: The overall and local hair densities were assessed using professional cameras and dermoscopes at different magnifications and distances. Five hairs that came off the participant's head were randomly selected to measure hair diameter. The self-assessment questionnaires were filled on third month of product use. RESULTS: The combination of caffeine and adenosine in the shampoo significantly enhanced hair density compared to that of the baseline. The results revealed a significant reduction in hair loss. The hair diameters of the subjects did not change significantly. Most of the participants (71.05%) were satisfied with their hair after using the product. CONCLUSIONS: Shampoos containing caffeine and adenosine have been demonstrated to exert therapeutic benefits for reducing hair loss.