Rice false smut virulence protein subverts host chitin perception and signaling at lemma and palea for floral infection.

The flower-infecting fungus Ustilaginoidea virens causes rice false smut, which is a severe emerging disease threatening rice (Oryza sativa) production worldwide. False smut not only reduces yield, but more importantly produces toxins on grains, posing a great threat to food safety. U. virens invades spikelets via the gap between the 2 bracts (lemma and palea) enclosing the floret and specifically infects the stamen and pistil. Molecular mechanisms for the U. virens-rice interaction are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that rice flowers predominantly employ chitin-triggered immunity against U. virens in the lemma and palea, rather than in the stamen and pistil. We identify a crucial U. virens virulence factor, named UvGH18.1, which carries glycoside hydrolase activity. Mechanistically, UvGH18.1 functions by binding to and hydrolyzing immune elicitor chitin and interacting with the chitin receptor CHITIN ELICITOR BINDING PROTEIN (OsCEBiP) and co-receptor CHITIN ELICITOR RECEPTOR KINASE1 (OsCERK1) to impair their chitin-induced dimerization, suppressing host immunity exerted at the lemma and palea for gaining access to the stamen and pistil. Conversely, pretreatment on spikelets with chitin induces a defense response in the lemma and palea, promoting resistance against U. virens. Collectively, our data uncover a mechanism for a U. virens virulence factor and the critical location of the host-pathogen interaction in flowers and provide a potential strategy to control rice false smut disease.

Broad-spectrum resistance gene RPW8.1 balances immunity and growth via feedback regulation of WRKYs.

Arabidopsis RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.1 (RPW8.1) is an important tool for engineering broad-spectrum disease resistance against multiple pathogens. Ectopic expression of RPW8.1 leads to enhanced disease resistance with cell death at leaves and compromised plant growth, implying a regulatory mechanism balancing RPW8.1-mediated resistance and growth. Here, we show that RPW8.1 constitutively enhances the expression of transcription factor WRKY51 and activates salicylic acid and ethylene signalling pathways; WRKY51 in turn suppresses RPW8.1 expression, forming a feedback regulation loop. RPW8.1 and WRKY51 are both induced by pathogen infection and pathogen-/microbe-associated molecular patterns. In ectopic expression of RPW8.1 background (R1Y4), overexpression of WRKY51 not only rescues the growth suppression and cell death caused by RPW8.1, but also suppresses RPW8.1-mediated broad-spectrum disease resistance and pattern-triggered immunity. Mechanistically, WRKY51 directly binds to and represses RPW8.1 promoter, thus limiting the expression amplitude of RPW8.1. Moreover, WRKY6, WRKY28 and WRKY41 play a role redundant to WRKY51 in the suppression of RPW8.1 expression and are constitutively upregulated in R1Y4 plants with WRKY51 being knocked out (wrky51 R1Y4) plants. Notably, WRKY51 has no significant effects on disease resistance or plant growth in wild type without RPW8.1, indicating a specific role in RPW8.1-mediated disease resistance. Altogether, our results reveal a regulatory circuit controlling the accumulation of RPW8.1 to an appropriate level to precisely balance growth and disease resistance during pathogen invasion.

Chemical Constituents, Hypolipidemic, and Hypoglycemic Activities of Edgeworthia gardneri Flowers.

The flowers of Edgeworthia gardneri are used as herbal tea and medicine to treat various metabolic diseases including hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. This paper investigate the chemical constituents and biological activities of ethanolic extract and its different fractions from E. gardneri flowers. Firstly, the E. gardneri flowers was extracted by ethanol-aqueous solution to obtain crude extract (CE), which was subsequently fractionated by different polar organic solution to yield precipitated crystal (PC), dichloromethane (DCF), ethyl acetate (EAF), n-butanol (n-BuF), and residue water (RWF) fractions. UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS analysis resulted in the identification of 25 compounds, and the main compounds were flavonoids and coumarins. The precipitated crystal fraction showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents with 344.4 ± 3.38 mg GAE/g extract and 305.86 ± 0.87 mg RE/g extract. The EAF had the strongest antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase with IC50 values of 126.459 ± 7.82 and 23.16 ± 0.79 µg/mL. Besides, both PC and EAF significantly regulated the glucose and lipid metabolism disorders by increasing glucose consumption and reducing TG levels in HepG2 cells. Molecular docking results suggested that kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and tiliroside had good binding ability with enzymes, indicating that they may be potential α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitors. Therefore, the E. gardneri flowers could be served as a bioactive agent for the regulation of metabolic disorders.

Giant Energy Storage Density with Antiferroelectric-Like Properties in BNT-Based Ceramics via Phase Structure Engineering.

Driven by the information industry, advanced electronic devices require dielectric materials which combine both excellent energy storage properties and high temperature stability. These requirements hold the most promise for ceramic capacitors. Among these, the modulated Bi0.5 Na0.5 TiO3 (BNT)-based ceramics can demonstrate favorable energy storage properties with antiferroelectric-like properties, simultaneously, attaching superior temperature stability resulted from the high Curie temperature. Inspired by the above properties, a strategy is proposed to modulate antiferroelectric-like properties via introducing Ca0.7 La0.2 TiO3 (CLT) into Bi0.395 Na0.325 Sr0.245 TiO3 (BNST) ((1-x)BNST-xCLT, x = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25). Combining both orthorhombic phase and defect dipole designs successfully achieve antiferroelectric-like properties in BNST-CLT ceramics. The results illustrate that 0.8BNST-0.2CLT presents superior recoverable energy storage density ≈8.3 J cm-3 with the ideal η ≈ 80% at 660 kV cm-1 . Structural characterizations demonstrate that there is the intermediate modulated phase with the coexistence of the antiferroelectric and ferroelectric phases. In addition, in situ temperature measurements prove that BNST-CLT ceramics exhibit favorable temperature stability over a wide temperature range. The present work illustrates that BNT-based ceramics with antiferroelectric-like properties can effectively enhance the energy storage performance, which provides novel perspectives for the subsequent development of advanced pulsed capacitors.

Delayed Polarization Saturation Induced Superior Energy Storage Capability of BiFeO3 -Based Ceramics Via Introduction of Non-Isovalent Ions.

Electrostatic capacitors are emerging as a highly promising technology for large-scale energy storage applications. However, it remains a significant challenge to improve their energy densities. Here, an effective strategy of introducing non-isovalent ions into the BiFeO3 -based (BFO) ceramic to improve energy storage capability via delaying polarization saturation is demonstrated. Accordingly, an ultra-high energy density of up to 7.4 J cm-3 and high efficiency ≈ 81% at 680 kV m-1 are realized, which is one of the best energy storage performances recorded for BFO-based ceramics. The outstanding comprehensive energy storage performance is attributed to inhibiting the polarization hysteresis resulting from generation ergodic relaxor zone and random field, and generating highly-delayed polarization saturation with continuously-increased polarization magnitudes with the electric field of supercritical evolution. The contributions demonstrate that delaying the polarization saturation is a consideration for designing the next generation of lead-free dielectric materials with ultra-high energy storage performance.

Golovinomyces cichoracearum effector-associated nuclear localization of RPW8.2 amplifies its expression to boost immunity in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.2 (RPW8.2) is specifically induced by the powdery mildew (PM) fungus (Golovinomyces cichoracearum) in the infected epidermal cells to activate immunity. However, the mechanism of RPW8.2-induction is not well understood. Here, we identify a G. cichoracearum effector that interacts with RPW8.2, named Gc-RPW8.2 interacting protein 1 (GcR8IP1), by a yeast two-hybrid screen of an Arabidopsis cDNA library. GcR8IP1 is physically associated with RPW8.2 with its REALLY INTERESTING NEW GENE finger domain that is essential and sufficient for the association. GcR8IP1 was secreted and translocated into the nucleus of host cell infected with PM. Association of GcR8IP1 with RPW8.2 led to an increase in RPW8.2 in the nucleus. In turn, the nucleus-localized RPW8.2 promoted the activity of the RPW8.2 promoter, resulting in transcriptional self-amplification of RPW8.2 to boost immunity at infection sites. Additionally, ectopic expression or host-induced gene silencing of GcR8IP1 supported its role as a virulence factor in PM. Altogether, our results reveal a mechanism of RPW8.2-dependent defense strengthening via altered partitioning of RPW8.2 and transcriptional self-amplification triggered by a PM fungal effector, which exemplifies an atypical form of effector-triggered immunity.

Management of massive cerebral infarction as a complication of post-tonsillectomy and analysis of the risk factors: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The majority of postoperative complications of tonsillectomy are bleeding. However, massive cerebral infarction following haemostasis is a very rare and serious complication and has rarely been reported clinically. CASE PRESENTATION: We performed a left tonsillectomy on a patient with chronic tonsillitis. After that, active bleeding was found under the tonsillar fossa, so an exploratory hypopharyngeal haemostasis was performed. However, the bleeding worsened intraoperatively, so the patient was converted to a cervical angiographic embolization. The interventional procedure was completed successfully without an ectopic embolic event. After the procedure, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was diagnosed with acute massive cerebral infarction in the left cerebral hemisphere after awakening symptoms combined with cranial computed tomography angiography (CTA) results. Symptomatic treatment such as sedation and analgesia, dehydration to lower intracranial pressure, and maintenance of respiratory and circulatory stability was then administered. After treatment, the patient's condition stabilized and he was transferred to the rehabilitation physiotherapy unit for rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage can be augmented with a carotid arteriogram to clarify whether the tonsillar fossa is at a safe distance from the posterior internal carotid artery. Furthermore, interventional haemostasis can also be performed as early as possible to reduce the incidence of complications in cases of persistent post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

Confusoside from Anneslea fragrans Alleviates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in HepG2 via PI3K-CASP3 Signaling Pathway.

Confusoside (CF), a major chemical compound in the leaves of Anneslea fragrans Wall., is a dihydrochalcone glycoside with excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the hepatoprotective effect of CF has not been described. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective effect of CF against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury in HepG2 cells. First, the potential hepatoprotective effect mechanisms of CF were predicted by network pharmacology and were thought to involve reducing inflammation and inhibiting apoptosis. Target proteins (phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K) and caspase-3 (CASP3)) were found via molecular docking analysis. To verify the predicted results, an analysis of biological indicators was performed using commercial kits and Western blotting. The results showed that CF significantly decreased the levels of liver injury biomarkers (ALT, AST, and LDH), strongly inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) and the NO level via inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and markedly regulated the expression levels of Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved-CASP3/9 proteins by activating the PI3K-CASP3 apoptosis pathway. The results demonstrated that CF has a therapeutic effect on APAP-induced liver injury by inhibiting intracellular inflammation and cell apoptosis, indicating that CF may be used as a potential reagent for the prevention and treatment of APAP-induced liver injury.

Blocking Osa-miR1871 enhances rice resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae and yield.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in plant development and defence responses against various stresses. Here, we show that blocking miR1871 improves rice resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae and enhances grain yield simultaneously. The transgenic lines overexpressing miR1871 (OX1871) exhibit compromised resistance, suppressed defence responses and reduced panicle number resulting in slightly decreased yield. In contrast, the transgenic lines blocking miR1871 (MIM1871) show improved resistance, enhanced defence responses and significantly increased panicle number leading to enhanced yield per plant. The RNA-seq assay and defence response assays reveal that blocking miR1871 resulted in the enhancement of PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). Intriguingly, miR1871 suppresses the expression of LOC_Os06g22850, which encodes a microfibrillar-associated protein (MFAP1) locating nearby the cell wall and positively regulating PTI responses. The mutants of MFAP1 resemble the phenotype of OX1871. Conversely, the transgenic lines overexpressing MFAP1 (OXMFAP1) or overexpressing both MFAP1 and miR1871 (OXMFAP1/OX1871) resemble the resistance of MIM1871. The time-course experiment data reveal that the expression of miR1871 and MFAP1 in rice leaves, panicles and basal internode is dynamic during the whole growth period to manipulate the resistance and yield traits. Our results suggest that miR1871 regulates rice yield and immunity via MFAP1, and the miR8171-MFAP1 module could be used in rice breeding to improve both immunity and yield.

Osa-miR160a confers broad-spectrum resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens in rice.

Rice production is threatened by multiple pathogens. Breeding cultivars with broad-spectrum disease resistance is necessary to maintain and improve crop production. Previously we found that overexpression of miR160a enhanced rice blast disease resistance. However, it is unclear whether miR160a also regulates resistance against other pathogens, and what the downstream signaling pathways are. Here, we demonstrate that miR160a positively regulates broad-spectrum resistance against the causative agents of blast, leaf blight and sheath blight in rice. Mutations of miR160a-targeted Auxin Response Factors result in different alteration of resistance conferred by miR160a. miR160a enhances disease resistance partially by suppressing ARF8, as mutation of ARF8 in MIM160 background partially restores the compromised resistance resulting from MIM160. ARF8 protein binds directly to the promoter and suppresses the expression of WRKY45, which acts as a positive regulator of rice immunity. Mutation of WRKY45 compromises the enhanced blast resistance and bacterial leaf blight resistance conferred by arf8 mutant. Overall, our results reveal that a microRNA coordinates rice broad-spectrum disease resistance by suppressing multiple target genes that play different roles in disease resistance, and uncover a new regulatory pathway mediated by the miR160a-ARF8 module. These findings provide new resources to potentially improve disease resistance for breeding in rice.

Borane-catalyzed arylation of aryldiazoacetates with N,N-dialkylanilines.

A selective arylation of donor-acceptor diazo compounds with aniline derivatives catalyzed by Lewis acidic boranes is developed. This simple reaction protocol provides an efficient method for the synthesis of diarylacetates under metal-free conditions.

RPW8.1 enhances the ethylene-signaling pathway to feedback-attenuate its mediated cell death and disease resistance in Arabidopsis.

The Arabidopsis RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.1 (RPW8.1) activates confined cell death and defense against different pathogens. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms still remain elusive. Here, we show that RPW8.1 activates ethylene signaling that, in turn, negatively regulates RPW8.1 expression. RPW8.1 binds and stabilizes 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 4 (ACO4), which may in part explain increased ethylene production and signaling in RPW8.1-expressing plants. In return, ACO4 and other key components of ethylene signaling negatively regulate RPW8.1-mediated cell death and disease resistance via suppressing RPW8.1 expression. Loss of function in ACO4, EIN2, EIN3 EIL1, ERF6, ERF016 or ORA59 increases RPW8.1-mediated cell death and defense response. By contrast, overexpression of EIN3 abolishes or significantly compromises RPW8.1-mediated cell death and disease resistance. Furthermore, ERF6, ERF016 and ORA59 appear to act as trans-repressors of RPW8.1, with OAR59 being able to directly bind to the RPW8.1 promoter. Taken together, our results have revealed a feedback regulatory circuit connecting RPW8.1 and the ethylene-signaling pathway, in which RPW8.1 enhances ethylene signaling, and the latter, in return, negatively regulates RPW8.1-mediated cell death and defense response via suppressing RPW8.1 expression to attenuate its defense activity.

Breast cancer and background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging use to predict breast cancer attracts many searchers to draw a possible relationship. However, the results of their relationships were conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to assess breast cancer frequency associations with background parenchymal enhancement. METHODS: A systematic literature search up to January 2020 was performed to detect studies recording associations between breast cancer frequency and background parenchymal enhancement. We found thirteen studies including 13,788 women at the start with 4046 breast cancer. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between breast cancer frequency and background parenchymal enhancement by the dichotomous technique with a random or fixed-effect model. RESULTS: Women with minimal or mild background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging did not have any risk of breast cancer compared to control women (OR, 1.20; 95% CI 0.54-2.67). However, high background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging (OR, 2.66; 95% CI 1.36-5.19) and moderate (OR, 2.51; 95% CI 1.49-4.21) was associated with a significantly higher rate of breast cancer frequency compared to control women. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed that the women with high and moderate background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging have higher risks, up to 2.66 fold, of breast cancer. We suggest that women with high or moderate background parenchymal enhancement at breast magnetic resonance imaging to be scheduled for more frequent follow-up and screening for breast cancer to avoid any complications.

Multiple intramolecular trafficking signals in RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.2 are engaged in activation of cell death and defense.

The extrahaustorial membrane (EHM) is a host-derived interfacial membrane encasing the haustorium of powdery mildew fungi. Arabidopsis thaliana RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.2 (RPW8.2) is specifically targeted to the EHM via two EHM-targeting signals. Here, we demonstrate that proper coordination between the trafficking forces engaged via the EHM-targeting signals and the nuclear localization signals (NLSs), as well as the nuclear export signals (NESs), in RPW8.2 is critical for the activation of cell death and defense. We show that in the absence of pathogens, RPW8.2 is partitioned between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, and turned over via both the 26S proteasome- and the vacuole-dependent pathways. Enhanced cytoplasmic localization of RPW8.2 by tagging it with a NES led to lethal cell death. By contrast, enhanced nuclear localization of RPW8.2 by adding an NLS to it resulted in resistance to powdery mildew. Whereas expression of the NES-containing C-terminal domain of RPW8.2 in the cytoplasm is sufficient to trigger cell death, no such cell death-inducing activity is found with RPW8.2 variants that contain the two EHM-targeting signals along with the NES-containing C-terminal domain. In addition, we present evidence for the involvement of a leaf senescence pathway in RPW8.2-mediated cell death and defense. Taken together, our data suggest that RPW8.2 is subject to adjustment by distinct and perhaps coordinated mechanisms for its localization and function via interaction with the multiple intramolecular trafficking signals, which should provide further insights into RPW8.2-activated, EHM-focused resistance against powdery mildew.

Osa-miR398b boosts H2 O2 production and rice blast disease-resistance via multiple superoxide dismutases.

miRNAs contribute to plant resistance against pathogens. Previously, we found that the function of miR398b in immunity in rice differs from that in Arabidopsis. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we characterized the mutants of miR398b target genes and demonstrated that multiple superoxide dismutase genes contribute to miR398b-regulated rice immunity against the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Out of the four target genes of miR398b, mutations in Cu/Zn-Superoxidase Dismutase1 (CSD1), CSD2 and Os11g09780 (Superoxide DismutaseX, SODX) led to enhanced resistance to M. oryzae and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) accumulation. By contrast, mutations in Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase (CCSD) resulted in enhanced susceptibility. Biochemical studies revealed that csd1, csd2 and sodx displayed altered expression of CSDs and other superoxide dismutase (SOD) family members, leading to increased total SOD enzyme activity that positively contributed to higher H2 O2 production. By contrast, the ccsd mutant showed CSD protein deletion, resulting in decreased CSD and total SOD enzyme activity. Our results demonstrate the roles of different SODs in miR398b-regulated resistance to rice blast disease, and uncover an integrative regulatory network in which miR398b boosts total SOD activity to upregulate H2 O2 concentration and thereby improve disease resistance.

Development and application of a multi-task oriented deep learning model for quantifying drivers of air pollutant variations: A case study in Taiyuan, China.

Quantitative assessment of the drivers behind the variation of six criteria pollutants, namely fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM10), and carbon monoxide (CO), in the warming climate will be critical for subsequent decision-making. Here, a novel hybrid model of multi-task oriented CNN-BiLSTM-Attention was proposed and performed in Taiyuan during 2015-2020 to synchronously and quickly quantify the impact of anthropogenic and meteorological factors on the six criteria pollutants variations. Empirical results revealed the residential and transportation sectors distinctly decreased SO2 by 25 % and 22 % and CO by 12 % and 10 %. Gradual downward trends for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were mainly ascribed to the stringent measures implemented in transportation and power sectors as part of the Blue Sky Defense War, which were further reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, temperature-dependent adverse meteorological effects (27 %) and anthropogenic intervention (12 %) jointly increased O3 by 39 %. The O3-driven pollution events may be inevitable or even become more prominent under climate warming. The industrial (5 %) and transportation sectors (6 %) were mainly responsible for the anthropogenic-driven increase of O3 and precursor NO2, respectively. Synergistic reduction of precursors (VOCs and NOx) from industrial and transportation sectors requires coordination with climate actions to mitigate the temperature-dependent O3-driven pollution, thereby improving regional air quality. Meanwhile, the proposed model is expected to be applied flexibly in various regions to quantify the drivers of the pollutant variations in a warming climate, with the potential to offer valuable insights for improving regional air quality in near future.

High-capacity K+-pillared layered manganese dioxide as cathode material for high-rate aqueous zinc-ion battery.

Sluggish kinetics and severe structural instability of manganese-based cathode materials for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) lead to low-rate capacity and poor cyclability, which hinder their practical applications. Pillaring manganese dioxide (MnO2) by pre-intercalation is an effective strategy to solve the above problems. However, increasing the pre-intercalation content to realize stable cycling of high capacity at large current densities is still challenging. Here, high-rate aqueous Zn2+ storage is realized by a high-capacity K+-pillared multi-nanochannel MnO2 cathode with 1 K per 4 Mn (δ-K0.25MnO2). The high content of the K+ pillar, in conjunction with the three-dimensional confinement effect and size effect, promotes the stability and electron transport of multi-nanochannel layered MnO2 in the ion insertion/removal process during cycling, accelerating and accommodating more Zn2+ diffusion. Multi-perspective in/ex-situ characterizations conclude that the energy storage mechanism is the Zn2+/H+ ions co-intercalating and phase transformation process. More specifically, the δ-K0.25MnO2 nanospheres cathode delivers an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 297 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 for 500 cycles, showing over 96 % utilization of the theoretical capacity of δ-MnO2. Even at 3 A g-1, it also delivered a 63 % utilization and 64 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles. This study introduces a highly efficient cathode material based on manganese oxide and a comprehensive analysis of its structural dynamics. These findings have the potential to improve energy storage capabilities in ZIBs significantly.

Confusoside, a dihydrochalcone glucoside, prevents acetaminophen-induced liver injury by modulating the Nrf2/NF-κB/caspase signaling pathway.

Dihydrochalcones are important bioactive ingredients in plants. Anneslea fragrans is an edible and medicinal plant, and its leaves are rich in dihydrochalcones. Confusoside (CF) is the most abundant dihydrochalcone in A. fragrans leaves, which is traditionally used in the treatment of liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of CF on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury in mice. CF could reduce the levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in the serum and enhance the antioxidant activity by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway to increase the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), and the GSH content but decrease the MDA accumulation in liver tissues. Immunofluorescence assay and western blotting analysis showed that CF can regulate Nrf2 into the cell nucleus, thereby promoting the expression of downstream antioxidant-related proteins, including NQO1 and HO-1. In addition, CF could inhibit the liver inflammatory response by suppressing the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and NO. Molecular docking results showed that there was good binding between the CF and Keap1-Nrf2 protein. Western blotting and TUNEL analysis also revealed CF-inhibited cell apoptosis-related protein expression (Bcl2 and caspase-3/9 proteins). Thus, the CF from A. fragrans leaves could be served as an alternative hepaprotective agent for the treatment and prevention of APAP-induced liver injury.

Tailoring Phase Fraction Induced Saturation Polarization Delay for High-Performance BaTiO3-Based Relaxed Ferroelectric Capacitors.

Electrostatic capacitors based on dielectric materials are essential for enabling technological advances, including miniaturization and integration of electronic devices. However, maintaining a high polarization and breakdown field strength simultaneously in electrostatic capacitors remains a major challenge for industrial applications. Herein, a universal approach to delaying saturation polarization in BaTiO3-based ceramic is reported via tailoring phase fraction to improve capacitive performance. The ceramic of 0.85(0.7BaTiO3-0.3Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3)-0.15Bi0.5Li0.5(Ti0.75Ta0.2)O3 delivers an ultrahigh recoverable energy density (Wrec) of 7.16 J cm-3 along with an efficiency (η) of approximately 90% at a breakdown electric field of 700 kV cm-1, outperforming the current BaTiO3-based ceramics and other lead-free ceramics. Meanwhile, the Wrec and η exhibit wide frequency, temperature, and cycling fatigue stability. Additionally, both an extremely fast discharge time of 115 ns and a large power density of 106.16 MW cm-3 are concurrently attained. This work offers a promising pathway for delaying saturation polarization design in order to create scalable high-energy-density ceramics capacitors and highlight the research prospects of pulse power applications.

Stability simulation analysis of targeted puncture in L4/5 intervertebral space for PELD surgery.

Introduction: The application prospects of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) as a minimally invasive spinal surgery method in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation are extensive. This study aims to find the optimal entry angle for the trephine at the L4/5 intervertebral space, which causes less lumbar damage and has greater postoperative stability. To achieve this, we conduct a three-dimensional simulated analysis of the degree of damage caused by targeted puncture-based trephine osteotomy on the lumbar spine. Methods: We gathered clinical CT data from patients to construct a lumbar model. This model was used to simulate and analyze the variations in trephine osteotomy volume resulting from targeted punctures at the L4/5 interspace. Furthermore, according to these variations in osteotomy volume, we created Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models specifically for the trephine osteotomy procedure. We then applied mechanical loads to conduct range of motion and von Mises stress analyses on the lumbar motion unit. Results: In percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy, the smallest osteotomy volume occurred with a 20° entry angle, close to the base of the spinous process. The volume increased at 30° and reached its largest at 40°. In percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, the largest osteotomy volume was observed with a 50° entry angle, passing through the facet joints, with smaller volumes at 60° and the smallest at 70°. In FEA, M6 exhibited the most notable biomechanical decline, particularly during posterior extension and right rotation. M2 and M3 showed significant differences primarily in rotation, whereas the differences between M3 and M4 were most evident in posterior extension and right rotation. M5 displayed their highest stress levels primarily in posterior extension, with significant variations observed in right rotation alongside M4. Conclusion: The appropriate selection of entry sites can reduce lumbar damage and increase stability. We suggest employing targeted punctures at a 30° angle for PEID and at a 60° angle for PTED at the L4/5 intervertebral space. Additionally, reducing the degree of facet joint damage is crucial to enhance postoperative stability in lumbar vertebral motion units.