Optimization of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization for enhanced forage production and quality of Festuca Krylovianacv. Huanhu artificial grassland in alpine regions.

Artificial grasslands of F. kryloviana in the region surrounding Qinghai Lake have been observed to a decline in productivity following three years of establishment. Traditional fertilization practices, aimed at maintaining ecological balance, have predominantly focused on the application of phosphorus. However, it remains unclear whether phosphorus fertilizers offer a superior advantage over nitrogen fertilizers in sustaining productivity. Consequently, from 2017 to 2019, we conducted an experimental to assess the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on forage yield and quality. We designed with four levels of phosphorus and two levels of nitrogen, resulting in eight distinct fertilizer combinations. Our experimental findings indicate that the degradation of artificial grasslands leads to a shift in the allocation pattern of aboveground biomass. There was a respective decrease of 68.2 % and 62.5 % in the biomass proportions of stems and ears, contrasted by a greater than 200 % increase in the biomass proportion of leaves. The application of nitrogen not only elevated the total aboveground biomass but also promoted a preferential allocation of biomass to stems and leaves, consequently enhancing the forage's crude protein content. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased aboveground biomass, and crude protein content by 63.21 %, and 6 %, respectively. Phosphorus fertilization's impact varied annually but favored the distribution of biomass to stems and ears. The net photosynthetic rate improved by over 53.12 % with fertilizer application, although the differences among treatments were not statistically significant. The balanced application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers significantly bolstered the aboveground biomass, ear biomass, stem biomass, leaf biomass, and crude protein content in varying years by 17.25 %-209.83 %, 34.7 %-438.9 %, 25.5 %-250.2 %, 18.4 %-133.3 %, and 10.21 %-25.62 %, respectively. Our analysis revealed that nitrogen-only fertilization exhibited the most optimal fertilizer use efficiency and economic returns. In conclusion, nitrogen fertilization is crucial for sustaining the productivity and quality of F. kryloviana artificial grasslands. The local practice of 75 kg ha-1 phosphorus fertilizer is detrimental to the maintenance of productivity in F. kryloviana artificial grasslands. This study offers valuable insights into the optimization of fertilization strategies for sustainable forage production within alpine regions.

Guluronic acid disaccharide inhibits reactive oxygen species production and amyloid-ß oligomer formation.

In general, Cu(II) is the critical factor in catalyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and accelerating amyloid-ß (Aß) oligomer formation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Natural chelating agents with good biocompatibility and appropriate binding affinity with Cu(II) have emerged as potential candidates for AD therapy. Herein, we tested the capability of guluronic acid disaccharide (Di-GA), a natural chelating agent with the moderate association affinity to Cu(II), in inhibiting ROS production and Aß oligomer formation. The results showed that Di-GA was capable of chelating with Cu(II) and reducing ROS production, even in solutions containing Fe(II), Zn(II), and Aß. In addition, Di-GA can also capture Cu(II) from Cu-Aß complexes and decrease Aß oligomer formation. The cellular results confirmed that Di-GA prevented SH-SY5Y cells from ROS and Aß oligomer damage by reducing the injury of ROS and Aß oligomers on cell membrane and decreasing their intracellular damage on mitochondria. Notably, the slightly higher efficiency of Di-GA in chelating with Cu(I) than Cu(II) can be benefit for its in vivo applications, as Cu(I) is not only the most active but also the special intermediate specie during ROS production process. All of these results proved that Di-GA could be a promising marine drug candidate in reducing copper-related ROS damage and Aß oligomer toxicity associated with AD.

[Research progress on DNMT3A gene expression in Acute myeloid leukemia].

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism which plays a crucial role in cell differentiation and development. Its function is closely related to DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A), which can affect gene expression and stem cell differentiation. The mutation rate of the DNMT3A gene is relatively high in Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but its type and pathogenic mechanism are not yet clear. Further research on DNMT3A may help to identify its pathogenic targets and provide a basis for precise treatment of AML. This article has provided a review for the research progress on the expression of the DNMT3A gene in AML.

HLA-B*35:01-mediated activation of emodin-specific T cells contributes to Polygonum multiflorum thunb. -induced liver injury in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: HLA-B*35:01 has been identified as a risk allele for Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.-induced liver injury (PMLI). However, the immune mechanism underlying HLA-B*35:01-mediated PMLI remains unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: To characterize the immune mechanism of HLA-B*35:01-mediated PMLI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Components of P. multiflorum (PM) bound to the HLA-B*35:01 molecule was screened by immunoaffinity chromatography. Both wild-type mice and HLA-B*35:01 transgenic (TG) mice were treated with emodin. The levels of transaminases, histological changes and T-cell response were assessed. Splenocytes from emodin-treated mice were isolated and cultured in vitro. Phenotypes and functions of T cells were characterized upon drug restimulation using flow cytometry or ELISA. Emodin-pulsed antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or glutaraldehyde-fixed APCs were co-cultured with splenocytes from emodin-treated transgenic mice to detect their effect on T-cell activation. RESULTS: Emodin, the main component of PM, could non-covalently bind to the HLA-B*35:01-peptide complexes. TG mice were more sensitive to emodin-induced immune hepatic injury, as manifested by elevated aminotransferase levels, infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased percentage of CD8+T cells and release of effector molecules in the liver. However, these effects were not observed in wild-type mice. An increase in percentage of T cells and the levels of interferon-γ, granzyme B, and perforin was detected in emodin-restimulated splenocytes from TG mice. Anti-HLA-I antibodies inhibited the secretion of these effector molecules induced by emodin. Mechanistically, emodin-pulsed APCs failed to stimulate T cells, while fixed APCs in the presence of emodin could elicit the secretion of T cell effector molecules. CONCLUSION: The HLA-B*35:01-mediated CD8+ T cell reaction to emodin through the P-I mechanism may contribute to P. multiflorum-induced liver injury.

Genetics of causal relationships between circulating inflammatory proteins and postherpetic neuralgia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: According to data from several observational studies, there is a strong association between circulating inflammatory cytokines and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), but it is not clear whether this association is causal or confounding; therefore, the main aim of the present study was to analyze whether circulating inflammatory proteins have a bidirectional relationship with PHN at the genetic inheritance level using a Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods: The Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database was used for our analysis. We gathered data on inflammation-related genetic variation from three GWASs of human cytokines. These proteins included 91 circulating inflammatory proteins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein 1b (MIP-1b), and CXC chemokine 13 (CXCL13). The PHN dataset was obtained from the FinnGen biobank analysis round 5, and consisted of 1,413 cases and 275,212 controls. We conducted a two-sample bidirectional MR study using the TwoSampleMR and MRPRESSO R packages (version R.4.3.1). Our main analytical method was inverse variance weighting (IVW), and we performed sensitivity analyses to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy, as well as the potential influence of individual SNPs, to validate our findings. Results: According to our forward analysis, five circulating inflammatory proteins were causally associated with the development of PHN: interleukin (IL)-18 was positively associated with PHN, and IL-13, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19), MIP-1b, and stem cell growth factor (SCF) showed reverse causality with PHN. Conversely, we found that PHN was closely associated with 12 inflammatory cytokines, but no significant correlation was found among the other inflammatory factors. Among them, only IL-18 had a bidirectional causal relationship with PHN. Conclusion: Our research advances the current understanding of the role of certain inflammatory biomarker pathways in the development of PHN. Additional verification is required to evaluate the viability of these proteins as targeted inflammatory factors for PHN-based treatments.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage vs percutaneous transhepatic bile duct drainage in the management of malignant obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) is a condition characterized by varying degrees of bile duct stenosis and obstruction, accompanied by the progressive development of malignant tumors, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Currently, the two most commonly employed methods for its management are percutaneous transhepatic bile duct drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD). While both methods have demonstrated favorable outcomes, additional research needs to be performed to determine their relative efficacy. AIM: To compare the therapeutic effectiveness of EUS-BD and PTBD in treating MOJ. METHODS: This retrospective analysis, conducted between September 2015 and April 2023 at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (The First People's Hospital of Changzhou), involved 68 patients with MOJ. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of surgical procedure received: EUS-BD subgroup (n = 33) and PTBD subgroup (n = 35). Variables such as general data, preoperative and postoperative indices, blood routine, liver function indices, myocardial function indices, operative success rate, clinical effectiveness, and complication rate were analyzed and compared between the subgroups. RESULTS: In the EUS-BD subgroup, hospital stay duration, bile drainage volume, effective catheter time, and clinical effectiveness rate were superior to those in the PTBD subgroup, although the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The puncture time for the EUS-BD subgroup was shorter than that for the PTBD subgroup (P < 0.05). Postoperative blood routine, liver function index, and myocardial function index in the EUS-BD subgroup were significantly lower than those in the PTBD subgroup (P < 0.05). Additionally, the complication rate in the EUS-BD subgroup was lower than in the PTBD subgroup (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EUS-BD may reduce the number of punctures, improve liver and myocardial functions, alleviate traumatic stress, and decrease complication rates in MOJ treatment.

Association between short-term ozone exposure and allergic conjunctivitis in China: A multi-city case-crossover study.

Short-term exposure to ozone has been linked to multiple allergic diseases, but the relationship between ozone exposure and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between short-term exposure to ozone and the risk of AC. We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study across five Chinese cities from 2014 to 2022. Daily outpatient visit records for AC were identified in five hospitals using either the diagnosis name or ICD-10 code H10.1. Data on air pollution and meteorological conditions were also collected. We first examined the city-specific association between short-term ozone exposure and AC using conditional logistic regression. A random-effects meta-analysis was then conducted to obtain overall estimates. During the study period, 130,093 outpatient visits for AC occurred, with 58.8% (76,482) being male and 41.2% (53,611) female. A one-standard-deviation (SD) increase in ozone was associated with an 8.3% increase (95% CI: 3.8%, 13.0%) in AC outpatient visits. Similar positive associations were observed when adjusting for other pollutants (PM2.5, CO, SO2 and NO2) in two-pollutant and multi-pollutant models. Furthermore, the positive association remained consistent when using mixed-effects regression models or further adjusting for meteorological conditions. In addition, no effect modification of the AC-ozone association by sex, age and season was apparent. This study provides evidence supporting a positive association between short-term ozone exposure and AC risk in China. This highlights the potential value of mitigating ozone pollution to reduce the risk of ocular surface disorders.

Adequate water supply enhances seedling growth and metabolism in Festuca kryloviana: insights from physiological and transcriptomic analys.

BACKGROUND: Festuca kryloviana is a significant native grass species in the Qinghai Lake region, and its low emergence rate is a primary factor limiting the successful establishment of cultivated grasslands. The region's arid and low-rainfall climate characteristics result in reduced soil moisture content at the surface. Despite the recognized impact of water availability on plant growth, the specific role of moisture in seedling development remains not fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the germination rate and seedling growth velocity of F. kryloviana seeds under varying moisture conditions, and to integrate physiological and transcriptomic analyses of seedlings under these conditions to reveal the mechanisms by which water influences seedling development. RESULTS: The emergence rate of F. kryloviana seedlings exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease with increasing moisture content. The highest emergence rate, reaching 75%, was observed under 20% soil moisture conditions. By the eighth day of the experiment, the lengths of the plumules and radicles under the optimal emergence rate (full water, FW) were 21.82% and 10.87% longer, respectively, than those under closely matching the soil moisture content during the background survey (stress water, SW). The differential development of seedlings under varying moisture regimes is attributed to sugar metabolism within the seeds and the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA). At FW conditions, enhanced sugar metabolism, which generates more energy for seedling development, is facilitated by higher activities of α-amylase, sucrose synthase, and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase compared to SW conditions. This is reflected at the transcriptomic level with upregulated expression of the α-amylase (AMY2) gene and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS6), while genes associated with ABA signaling and transduction are downregulated. Additionally, under FW conditions, the expression of genes related to the chloroplast thylakoid photosystems, such as photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI), is upregulated, enhancing the seedlings' light-capturing ability and photosynthetic efficiency, thereby improving their autotrophic capacity. Furthermore, FW treatment enhances the expression of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, promoting metabolism within the seeds. In contrast, SW treatment increases the activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), to cope with water stress. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiment systematically evaluated the impact of moisture conditions on the growth and development of F. kryloviana seedlings. Physiological and transcriptomic data collectively indicate that adequate water (20%) supply enhances seedling growth and development by reducing ABA levels and increasing α-amylase activity within seeds, thereby boosting sugar metabolism and promoting the growth of seedling, which in turn leads to an improved emergence rate. Considering water management in future cultivation practices may be a crucial strategy for enhancing the successful establishment of F. kryloviana in grassland ecosystems.

Structure and antitumor activity of a polysaccharide from Rosa roxburghii.

It is well known that Rosa roxburghii, as a homology of both medicine and food, is rich in polysaccharides. To discover bioactive macromolecules for combating cancer, the polysaccharides in R. roxburghii were investigated, leading to the purification of a polysaccharide (RRTP80-1). RRTP80-1 was measured to have an average molecular weight of 8.65 × 103 g/mol. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that RRTP80-1 was formed from three types of monosaccharides including arabinose, glucose, and galactose. Methylation and GC-MS analysis suggested that the backbone of RRTP80-1 consisted of →5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, →2,5)-α-l-Araf-(1→, →4,6)-ß-d-Galp-(1→, and →3)-α-l-Araf-(1→, with branch chains composed of α-l-Araf-(1→. In vivo studies indicated that RRTP80-1 exhibited inhibitory activity against the growth and proliferation of neoplasms in the zebrafish tumor xenograft model by suppressing angiogenesis. Additionally, RRTP80-1 was found to upregulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production levels in zebrafish models. All these studies suggest that RRTP80-1 activates the immune system to inhibit tumors. The potential role of the newly discovered homogeneous polysaccharide RRTP80-1 in cancer treatment was preliminarily clarified in this study.

Integrated bioinformatics and multiomics reveal Liupao tea extract alleviating NAFLD via regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) poses a significant global public health concern. Liupao tea (LPT) is a Chinese national geographical indication product renowned for its lipid-lowering properties. However, the precise mechanisms and active constituents contributing to the efficacy of LPT against NAFLD remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study aims to comprehensively explore the therapeutic potential of Liupao tea extract (LPTE) in alleviating NAFLD through an integrated strategy. METHODS: Initially, network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on LPTE chemical ingredient analysis, identifying core targets and key components. Potential active ingredients were validated through chemical standards based on LC-MS/MS. To confirm the pharmacological efficacy of LPTE in NAFLD, NAFLD mice models were employed. Alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism were comprehensively elucidated through integration of metabolomics, lipidomics, network pharmacology analysis, and real-time PCR analysis. To further explore the binding interactions between key components and core targets, molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis (MST) analysis were employed. Furthermore, to investigate LPTE administration effectiveness on gut microbiota in NAFLD mice, a comprehensive approach was employed. This included Metorigin analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing, molecular docking, and fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT). RESULTS: Study identified naringenin, quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol as the potential active ingredients of LPTE. These compounds exhibited therapeutic potential for NAFLD by targeting key proteins such as PTGS2, CYP3A4, and ACHE, which are involved in the metabolic pathways of hepatic linoleic acid (LA) and glycerophospholipid (GP) metabolism. The therapeutic effectiveness of LPTE was observed to be comparable to that of simvastatin. Furthermore, LPTE exhibited notable efficacy in alleviating NAFLD by influencing alterations in gut microbiota composition (Proteobacteria phylum, Lactobacillus and Dubosiella genus) that perhaps impact LA and GP metabolic pathways. CONCLUSION: LPTE could be effective in preventing high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD by modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. This study firstly integrated bioinformatics and multi-omics technologies to identify the potential active components and key microbiota associated with LPTE's effects, while also primally elucidating the action mechanisms of LPTE in alleviating NAFLD. The findings offer a conceptual basis for LPTE's potential transformation into an innovative pharmaceutical agent for NAFLD prevention.

Optimization of Flavonoid Extraction from Abelmoschus manihot Flowers Using Ultrasonic Techniques: Predictive Modeling through Response Surface Methodology and Deep Neural Network and Biological Activity Assessment.

Understanding the optimal extraction methods for flavonoids from Abelmoschus manihot flowers (AMF) is crucial for unlocking their potential benefits. This study aimed to optimize the efficiency of flavonoid extraction from AMF. After comparing extraction methods, the ultrasonic cell crusher demonstrated superior performance over conventional techniques. Four key factors-solid-to-liquid ratio (1:10 to 1:50 g·mL-1), ethanol concentration (55% to 95%), ultrasonic time (10 to 50 min), and ultrasonic power (5% to 25% of 900 W)-were investigated and normalized using the entropy weight method. This led to a comprehensive evaluation (CE). Optimization of extraction conditions for the ultrasonic cell crusher was achieved through response surface methodology and a deep neural network model, resulting in optimal parameters: ethanol volume fraction of 66%, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:21 g/mL, extraction efficiency of 9%, and extraction duration of 35 min, yielding a CE value of 23.14 (RSD < 1%). Additionally, the inhibitory effects of the optimized extracts against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were assessed. The results revealed that AMF extract (AMFE) exhibits inhibitory effects on S. mutans, with concomitant inhibition of sucrase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The MIC of AMFE against planktonic S. mutans is 3 mg/mL, with an MBC of 6 mg/mL. Within the concentration range of 1/8 MIC to 2 MIC of AMFE, the activities of sucrase and LDH decreased by 318.934 U/mg prot and 61.844 U/mg prot, respectively. The antioxidant activity of AMFE was assessed using the potassium ferricyanide reduction and phosphomolybdenum methods. Additionally, the effect of AMFE on DPPH, ABTS, and ·OH free radical scavenging abilities was determined. The concentrations at which AMFE exhibited over 90% scavenging rate for ABTS and DPPH free radicals were found to be 0.125 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL, respectively.

Mir-204-5p alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction by targeting IGFBP5 in diabetic cataract.

BACKGROUND: Cataract contributes to visual impairment worldwide, and diabetes mellitus accelerates the formation and progression of cataract. Here we found that the expression level of miR-204-5p was diminished in the lens epithelium with anterior lens capsule of cataract patients compared to normal donors, and decreased more obviously in those of diabetic cataract (DC) patients. However, the contribution and mechanism of miR-204-5p during DC development remain elusive. METHODS AND RESULT: The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was reduced in the lens epithelium with anterior lens capsule of DC patients and the H2O2-induced human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) cataract model, suggesting impaired mitochondrial functional capacity. Consistently, miR-204-5p knockdown by the specific inhibitor also attenuated the MMP in HLECs. Using bioinformatics and a luciferase assay, further by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, we identified IGFBP5, an insulin-like growth factor binding protein, as a direct target of miR-204-5p in HLECs. IGFBP5 expression was upregulated in the lens epithelium with anterior lens capsule of DC patients and in the HLEC cataract model, and IGFBP5 knockdown could reverse the mitochondrial dysfunction in the HLEC cataract model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that miR-204-5p maintains mitochondrial functional integrity through repressing IGFBP5, and reveal IGFBP5 may be a new therapeutic target and prognostic factor for DC.

TTYH3 promotes the malignant progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma SCC-9 cells by regulating tumor-associated macrophage polarization.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the biological role and the reaction mechanism of Tweety family member 3 (TTYH3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DESIGN: The mRNA and protein expressions of TTYH3 were assessed with RT-qPCR and western blot. After silencing TTYH3 expression, the proliferation of OSCC cells were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and colony formation assay. Cell migration and invasion were detected using wound healing and transwell. Gelatin zymography protease assay was used to detect matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP9) activity and western blot was used to detect the expressions of proteins associated with proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mRNA expression of TTYH3 in THP-1-derived macrophage was detected using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The number of CD86-positive cells and CD206-positive cells was detected using immunofluorescence assay. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of M2 markers arginase 1 (ARG1), chitinase-like 3 (YM1) and mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1). RESULTS: In this study, it was found that TTYH3 expression was upregulated in OSCC cell lines and TTYH3 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process in OSCC via suppressing M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, TTYH3 facilitated the progression of OSCC through the regulation of tumor-associated macrophages polarization.

Unraveling the Mechanism of Curculiginis Rhizoma in Suppressing Cisplatin Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Experimental Study.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stands as one of the most prevalent malignancies, and chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for advanced stages. However, the high expression of ABC binding cassette transporters, including MRP, P-gp, and LRP, along with multidrug resistance proteins, has been identified as a significant factor contributing to decreased chemotherapy drug sensitivity. This study aims to explore the impact and underlying mechanisms of Curculiginis Rhizoma [Hypoxidaceae; Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.] (CR) in combination with cisplatin on improving chemoresistance mediated by ABC binding cassette transporters and multidrug resistance proteins in NSCLC. Methods and Results: To unravel the relationship between JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP in NSCLC and gain insights into the regulatory mechanism of CR, this study employs an integrated approach encompassing bioinformatics, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, animal and cellular experiments. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression levels of JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP subtypes in multidrug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer. Subsequent animal experiments have shown that the combination of CR with cisplatin can improve the survival rate of lung cancer mice. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses demonstrated favorable binding interactions between curculigoside and the aforementioned subtypes of JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP. In cellular experiments, the combination of cisplatin with both curculigoside and CR extract resulted in a notable decrease in cell viability and downregulation of the expression of JNK1, JNK2, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, P-gp, and LRP1 in A549/cis cells. Conclusion: Remarkably, curculigoside exerted a significant downregulation effect on the expression levels of JNK1, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, and LRP1. CR, particularly its main effective metabolite, curculigoside, has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer to cisplatin by regulating levels of JNK/MRP/LRP/P-gp and mitigating multidrug resistance.

Legume-grass mixtures improve biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen transfer by promoting nodulation and altering root conformation in different ecological regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Introduction: Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) plays a crucial role in nitrogen utilization in agroecosystems. Functional characteristics of plants (grasses vs. legumes) affect BNF. However, little is still known about how ecological zones and cropping patterns affect legume nitrogen fixation. This study's objective was to assess the effects of different cropping systems on aboveground dry matter, interspecific relationships, nodulation characteristics, root conformation, soil physicochemistry, BNF, and nitrogen transfer in three ecological zones and determine the main factors affecting nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) and nitrogen transferred (Ntransfer). Methods: The 15N labeling method was applied. Oats (Avena sativa L.), forage peas (Pisum sativum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and fava beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown in monocultures and mixtures (YS: oats and forage peas; YJ: oats and common vetch; YC: oats and fava beans) in three ecological regions (HZ: Huangshui Valley; GN: Sanjiangyuan District; MY: Qilian Mountains Basin) in a split-plot design. Results: The results showed that mixing significantly promoted legume nodulation, optimized the configuration of the root system, increased aboveground dry matter, and enhanced nitrogen fixation in different ecological regions. The percentage of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) and percentage of nitrogen transferred (%Ntransfer) of legumes grown with different legume types and in different ecological zones were significantly different, but mixed cropping significantly increased the %Ndfa of the legumes. Factors affecting Ndfa included the cropping pattern, the ecological zone (R), the root nodule number, pH, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, microbial nitrogen mass (MBN), plant nitrogen content (N%), and aboveground dry biomass. Factors affecting Ntransfer included R, temperature, altitude, root surface area, nitrogen-fixing enzyme activity, organic matter, total soil nitrogen, MBN, and N%. Discussion: We concluded that mixed cropping is beneficial for BNF and that mixed cropping of legumes is a sustainable and effective forage management practice on the Tibetan Plateau.

SO3-COF@Al2O3 modified cathode electrode materials enhance the cycling ability of lithium sulfur batteries.

Herein, a covalent organic framework (SO3-COF) containing sulfonic acid groups has been developed on the surface of alumina by a one-step method, labeled as SO3-COF@Al2O3. The experimental results show that SO3-COF@Al2O3 can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) in LSBs after loading the active material sulfur, and exhibits better cycling behavior than the initial polymer SO3-COF. The initial discharge specific capacity of this electrode material at 0.05C is as high as 1141 mA h g-1, and the capacity can be maintained at 466 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles with a capacity decay rate of 0.08% per cycle.

Disulfidptosis-Related LncRNA Signatures for Prognostic Prediction in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND: Disulfidptosis is a prevalent apoptotic mechanism, intrinsically linked to cancer prognosis. However, the specific involvement of disulfidptosis-related long non-coding RNA (DRLncRNAs) in Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains incompletely understood. This study aims to elucidate the potential prognostic significance of disulfidptosis-related LncRNAs in KIRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression profiles and clinical data of KIRC patients were retrieved from the TCGA database to discern differentially expressed DRLncRNAs correlated with overall survival. Cox univariate analysis, Lasso Regression, and Cox multivariate analysis were used to construct a clinical prediction model. RESULTS: Six signatures, namely FAM83C.AS1, AC136475.2, AC121338.2, AC026401.3, AC254562.3, and AC000050.2, were established to evaluate overall survival (OS) in the context of Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) in this study. Survival analysis and ROC curves demonstrated the strong predictive performance of the associated signature. The nomogram exhibited accurate prognostic predictions for overall patient survival, offering substantial clinical utility. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that risk signals were enriched in various immune-related pathways. Furthermore, the risk features exhibited significant correlations with immune cells, immune function, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints. CONCLUSION: This study has unveiled, for the first time, six disulfdptosis-related LncRNA signatures, laying a solid foundation for enhanced and precise prognostic predictions in KIRC.

Enhanced Prediction of Malignant Cerebral Edema in Large Vessel Occlusion with Successful Recanalization Through Automated Weighted Net Water Uptake.

BACKGROUND: Malignant cerebral edema (MCE) is associated with both net water uptake (NWU) and infarct volume. We hypothesized that NWU weighted by the affected Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) regions could serve as a quantitative imaging biomarker of aggravated edema development in acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of weighted NWU (wNWU) to predict MCE in patients with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent MT due to LVO. NWU was computed from nonenhanced computed tomography scans upon admission using automated ASPECTS software. wNWU was derived by multiplying NWU with the number of affected ASPECTS regions in the ischemic hemisphere. Predictors of MCE were assessed through multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: NWU and wNWU were significantly higher in MCE patients than in non-MCE patients. Vessel recanalization status influenced the performance of wNWU in predicting MCE. In patients with successful recanalization, wNWU was an independent predictor of MCE (adjusted odds ratio 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-2.09; P < 0.001). The model integrating wNWU, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and collateral score exhibited an excellent performance in predicting MCE (area under the curve 0.80; 95% CI 0.75-0.84). Among patients with unsuccessful recanalization, wNWU did not influence the development of MCE (adjusted odds ratio 0.99; 95% CI 0.60-1.62; P = 0.953). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that wNWU at admission can serve as a quantitative predictor of MCE in LVO with successful recanalization after MT and may contribute to the decision for early intervention.

A novel approach for sludge deep-dewatering via flowing-out enhancement but not relying on cell lysis and bound water release.

Effective deep-dewatering is crucial for wastewater sludge management. Currently, the dominant methods focus on promoting cell lysis to release intracellular water, but these techniques often lead to secondary pollution and require stringent conditions, limiting their practical use. This study explores an innovative method using a commercially available complex quaternary ammonium salt surfactant, known as G-agent. This agent remarkably reduces the sludge water content from 98.6 % to 56.8 % with a low dosage (50 mg/g DS) and under neutral pH conditions. This approach surpasses Fenton oxidation in terms of dewatering efficiency and avoids the necessity for cell lysis and bound water release, thereby reducing the risk of secondary pollution in the filtrate, including heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants. The G-agent plays a significant role in destabilizing flocs and enhancing flocculation during the conditioning and initial dewatering stages, effectively reducing the solid-liquid interfacial affinity of the sludge. In the compression filtration stage, the agent's solidification effect is crucial in forming a robust skeleton that improves pore connectivity within the filter cake, leading to increased water permeability, drainage performance and water flow-out efficiency. This facilitates deep dewatering of sludge without cell lysis. The study reveals that the G-agent primarily improves water flow-out efficiency rather than water flowability, indicating that cell lysis and bound water release are not indispensable prerequisites for sludge deep-dewatering. Furthermore, it presents an encouraging prospect for overcoming the limitations associated with conventional sludge deep-dewatering processes.