Cold stress causes liver damage by inducing ferroptosis through the p38 MAPK/Drp1 pathway.

Acute extreme cold exposure impairs human health and even causes hypothermia which threatens human life. Liver, as a hub in metabolism and thermogenesis, is vital for cold acclimatization. Although accumulating evidence has suggested that cold exposure can cause liver damage, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the role and underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis in cold stress-induced liver damage. To evaluate the role of ferroptosis in cold stress-induced liver damage, rats were pretreated with ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) before exposed to -10 °C for 8 h. Core body temperature was recorded. The levels of ferroptosis-related indicators were examined with the corresponding assay kits or by western blotting. Hepatic pathological changes were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and ultrastructural observation. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured to assess liver function. Rats were also pretreated with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 or Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) inhibitor Mdivi-1 to determine the underlying mechanisms. We found that Lip-1 inhibited ferroptosis, attenuated hepatic pathological damages and blocked the increased ALT and AST levels in cold-exposed rats. Moreover, Mdivi-1 inhibited mitochondrial fission and suppressed ferroptosis. Furthermore, SB203580 and Mdivi-1 administration alleviated cold stress-induced liver injury. Our results suggested that cold stress caused liver damage partially by inducing ferroptosis through the p38 MAPK/Drp1 pathway. These findings might provide an effective preventive and therapeutic target for cold stress-induced liver injury.

Regulation of Vicia faba L. Response and Its Effect on Megoura crassicauda Reproduction under Zinc Stress.

The heavy metal zinc (Zn) is known to be transmitted in the food chain; however, the effect of Zn stress on beans and herbivorous insects is largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate the resistance of broad bean plants to Zn stress and the consequent changes in their physiological and biochemical metabolism by simulating heavy metal pollution in soil. Simultaneously, the effects of aphid progeny treated with different Zn concentrations on the expression of carbohydrate and related genes were analyzed. The results showed that Zn had no effect on the germination rate of broad beans, but other effects mainly manifested as follows. (1) Chlorophyll content decreased. (2) The total soluble sugar and Zn content in stems and leaves increased with increasing Zn content. (3) The proline content first increased and then decreased with increasing Zn content. (4) The height of the seedlings indicates that low concentrations promote growth and high concentrations inhibit growth. In addition, only the first-generation fecundity decreased significantly when aphids fed on heavy metal broad beans. Continuous high Zn levels increase the trehalose content of aphid F1 and F2, while F3 decreases. These results can not only provide a theoretical basis for exploring the impact of soil heavy metal pollution on ecosystems but also preliminarily evaluate the possibility of broad beans as a means of pollution remediation.

Four-wave mixing-based photonic crystal fiber microfluid sensor with embedded U-shape microslits.

In this paper, we propose a four-wave mixing-based photonic crystal fiber (PCF) microfluid sensor, and two U-shape microslits fabricated by a femtosecond laser are embedded into the sensor for real-time microfluid measurement. Theoretical and experimental results prove that the signal wavelength is sensitive to both the refractive index (RI) and the material dispersion property of the liquid sample filled into the air channels. For different aqueous target samples at low concentrations, the responses of signal wavelength are consistent with each other. The obtained RI sensitivity is approximately 881.36 nm/RIU, and the sensing resolution is around 1.6 × 10-4 RIU. The proposed sensor also shows a better figure of merit (FOM) as high as 313.65 RIU-1 when compared with the fiber SPR sensors. Besides, the signal wavelengths present different responses with the increasing aqueous concentration due to the separated dispersion characteristics of the filled liquid samples, which can be potentially applied for the discrimination of liquid samples with a well-designed wavelength-coded sensor array in the future.

Transcriptional identification of differentially expressed genes during the prepupal-pupal transition in the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) is a serious pest of agriculture that does particular damage to Gramineae crops in Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Metamorphosis is a key developmental stage in insects, although the genes underlying the metamorphic transition in M. separata remain largely unknown. Here, we sequenced the transcriptomes of five stages; mature larvae (ML), wandering (W), and pupation (1, 5, and 10 days after pupation, designated P1, P5, and P10) to identify transition-associated genes. Four libraries were generated, with 22,884, 23,534, 26,643, and 33,238 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for the ML-vs-W, W-vs-P1, P1-vs-P5, and P5-vs-P10, respectively. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that genes regulating the biosynthesis of the membrane and integral components of the membrane, which includes the cuticular protein (CP), 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), and juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis, were enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that DEGs were enriched in the metabolic pathways. Of these DEGs, thirty CP, seventeen 20E, and seven JH genes were differentially expressed across the developmental stages. For transcriptome validation, ten CP, 20E, and JH-related genes were selected and verified by real-time PCR quantitative. Collectively, our results provided a basis for further studies of the molecular mechanism of metamorphosis in M. separata.

LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin stimulates reproduction on the moth Mythimna separata (Walker).

Lambda-cyhalothrin has long been recommended as an effective insecticide to control the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker), a notorious migratory pest of agricultural plants. Previous researches have suggested that survival, development, and reproduction of insects are influenced by sublethal concentrations of insecticides. However, the effects of sublethal concentrations of lambda-cyhalothrin on M. separata are less known. In this study, we determined the toxicity and effects of LC20 and LC50 concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin on development and reproduction of M. separata. Results indicate that LC20 of lambda-cyhalothrin tends to decrease the life traits of M. separate, with a shortening larvae period of offspring and oviposition period, whereas LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin stimulates daily maximal fecundity and forwards the oviposition peak, suggesting a stimulation of reproduction by LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin. The M. separata population was increased by an LC50 concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin, resulting in a net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) significantly higher than that of the control. Transcripts of vitellogenin (MsVg) and vitellogenin receptor (MsVgR) genes were suppressed at day 1 after emergence of moth which developed from the larvae exposed to LC20 and LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin, but were significant induced when the moth begin to lay eggs (day 4), with a more remarkable induction by LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin than those of LC20 of lambda-cyhalothrin. Our results indicate that the observed stimulation of reproduction is therefore the results of up-regulation of MsVg and MsVgR by LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin.

A Simplified Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber SERS Probe with a Fully Filled Photoreduction Silver Nanoprism.

In this paper, a simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fiber surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe is presented. Silver nanoprisms are grown with a photoreduction method and account for the SERS, which have better electromagnetic enhancement than spherical silver nanoparticles at 785 nm. Due to the antiresonant reflecting guidance mechanism, the excited laser and SERS signal are effectively guided in such a fully filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber SERS probe and complicated selective filling with target sample is avoided. Rhodamine 6G molecules are used as probe molecules and the simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fiber SERS probe is test. Detection of low concentration Rhodamine 6G down to 10-8 M is achieved with a short integration time of 300 ms.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors promote eNOS expression in vascular smooth muscle cells and suppress hypoxia-induced cell growth.

Hypoxia stimulates excessive growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributing to vascular remodelling. Recent studies have shown that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) suppress VSMC proliferation and activate eNOS expression. However, the effects of HDI on hypoxia-induced VSMC growth and the role of activated eNOS in VSMCs are unclear. Using an EdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry analysis, we found that the HDIs, butyrate (Bur) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) significantly suppressed the proliferation of hypoxic VSMC lines and induced apoptosis. Remarkable induction of cleaved caspase 3, p21 expression and reduction of PCNA expression were also observed. Increased eNOS expression and enhanced NO secretion by hypoxic VSMC lines were detected using Bur or SAHA treatment. Knockdown of eNOS by siRNA transfection or exposure of hypoxic VSMCs to NO scavengers weakened the effects of Bur and SAHA on the growth of hypoxic VSMCs. In animal experiments, administration of Bur to Wistar rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 28 days ameliorated the thickness and collagen deposition in pulmonary artery walls. Although the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was not obviously decreased with Bur in hypoxic rats, right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) was decreased and the oxygen partial pressure of arterial blood was elevated. Furthermore, cell viability was decreased and eNOS and cleaved caspase 3 were induced in HDI-treated rat pulmonary arterial SMCs. These findings imply that HDIs prevent hypoxia-induced VSMC growth, in correlation with activated eNOS expression and activity in hypoxic VSMCs.

Alveolar Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation: From Local Initiation to Secondary Promotion by Activated Systemic Inflammation.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathological condition with high mortality and morbidity. Hypoxic PH (HPH) is a common form of PH occurring mainly due to lung disease and/or hypoxia. Most causes of HPH are associated with persistent or intermittent alveolar hypoxia, including exposure to high altitude and chronic obstructive respiratory disease. Recent evidence suggests that inflammation is a critical step for HPH initiation and development. A detailed understanding of the initiation and progression of pulmonary inflammation would help in exploring potential clinical treatments for HPH. In this review, the mechanism for alveolar hypoxia-induced local lung inflammation and its progression are discussed as follows: (1) low alveolar PO2 levels activate resident lung cells, mainly the alveolar macrophages, which initiate pulmonary inflammation; (2) systemic inflammation is induced by alveolar hypoxia through alveolar macrophage activation; (3) monocytes are recruited into the pulmonary circulation by alveolar hypoxia-induced macrophage activation, which then contributes to the progression of pulmonary inflammation during the chronic phase of alveolar hypoxia, and (4) alveolar hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation contributes to the development of HPH. We hypothesize that a combination of alveolar hypoxia-induced local lung inflammation and the initiation of systemic inflammation ("second hit") is essential for HPH progression.

Photoreduced silver nanoparticles grown on femtosecond laser ablated, D-shaped fiber probe for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes are made by facile photochemical deposition of silver nanoparticles on a femtosecond (fs) laser ablated, D-shaped fiber. The structure and surface morphology of the probe are investigated by scanning electron microscopy. High-quality SERS signals are detected using Rhodamine 6G molecules via an in situ sensing mode. Experimental results show that the SERS signals increase with the increase of the length of fs laser ablated, D-shaped zone. Our D-shaped fiber SERS probe shows a feasible method for a large active area, high performance, and real-time and remote measurement of SERS signals in biochemical analysis.

V-groove all-fiber core-cladding intermodal interferometer for high-temperature sensing.

Novel V-groove all-fiber core-cladding intermodal interferometers fabricated by CO2 laser irradiation on a standard single-mode fiber are described. The high-order cladding modes are excited due to the special V-groove structure. The interferometers are classified as Mach-Zehnder and Michelson type based on the way they are structured. Benefiting from the large difference of thermal coefficients of the core and high-order cladding modes, both types receive high temperature sensitivity by monitoring the wavelength shift of the interference spectrum, and their responses to temperature are similar. Compared with the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the Michelson interferometer is more compact and more flexible in application.

Preexisting Hyperuricemia Before High-Altitude Ascent is Associated with a Slower Recovery of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Following Descent.

Zhao, Linggong, Yujie Huang, and Xiaoling Tan. Preexisting hyperuricemia before high-altitude ascent is associated with a slower recovery of estimated glomerular filtration rate following descent. High Alt Med Biol. 00:00-00, 2024. Objectives: Hypoxia at high altitudes results in elevated uric acid (UA) and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, the impact of a prolonged high-altitude sojourn on UA levels and renal function in patients with preexisting hyperuricemia warrants further exploration. The study was to investigate the eGFR and related factors in patients with preexisting hyperuricemia following exposure to high altitude. Methods: The study included 345 participants, who worked at a high altitude for 1 year. Anthropometric and laboratory indices were collected before ascent (i.e., baseline), as well as 20 and 80 days after descent. The participants were categorized into individuals with hyperuricemia (HUA) or normal uric acid (NUA) group based on the presence or absence of hyperuricemia at baseline. Results: No difference in baseline eGFR was observed between the two groups before ascend or on day 20 after descent (p > 0.05). However, on day 80, eGFR of the HUA group was lower compared with the NUA group (p < 0.05). Correlations existed between post-descent eGFR levels and variables, including sampling time, UA levels, total and direct bilirubin, and baseline grouping. Conclusions: After high-altitude exposure, the recovery of eGFR was delayed in participants with preexisting hyperuricemia. Preexisting hyperuricemia and high-altitude hypoxia jointly contribute to renal impairment.

Adherence to Sulfur Microbial Diet and Ovarian Cancer Survival: Evidence from a Prospective Cohort Study.

SCOPE: The study aims to investigate the role of the sulfur microbial diet in the survival of ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective cohort study is conducted with 703 patients diagnosed with OC between 2015 and 2020. Diet information is collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Deaths are ascertained up to March 31, 2021, via the death registry linkage. During the follow-up period (median: 37.2 months, interquartile range: 24.7-50.2 months), 130 deaths are observed. A higher sulfur microbial diet score is significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among OC patients (tertile 3 vs tertile 1: HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.11-3.35). Each 1-standard deviation increment in the sulfur microbial diet score increases the all-cause mortality risk by 33% (95% CI = 1.04-1.71). Stratified analysis shows that significant associations are found in OC patients diagnosed over 50 years of age, with body mass index ≥24  kg m-2 , who changed their diet after diagnosis, or without residual lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the sulfur microbial diet, characterized by high intakes of red meats and processed meats, and low intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is associated with poor survival in OC patients.

In-line flat-top comb filter based on a cascaded all-solid photonic bandgap fiber intermodal interferometer.

In this paper, an in-line comb filter with flat-top spectral response is proposed and constructed based on a cascaded all-solid photonic bandgap fiber modal interferometer. It consists of two short pieces of all-solid photonic bandgap fiber and two standard single-mode fibers as lead fibers with core-offset splices between them. The theoretical and experimental results demonstrated that by employing a cut and resplice process on the central position of all-solid photonic bandgap fiber, the interference spectra are well tailored and flat-top spectral profiles could be realized by the controllable offset amount of the resplice. The channel position also could be tuned by applying longitudinal torsion with up to 4 nm tuning range. Such a flat-top fiber comb filter is easy-to-fabricate and with a designable passband width and flat-top profile.

High temperature microstructured fiber sensor based on a partial-reflection-enabled intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer.

A compact fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) sensor for high temperature measurements is proposed and demonstrated. The FPI consists of a small core microstructured fiber and single mode fiber, and it is enabled by partial Fresnel reflection at the interface of the two fibers and the end surface Fresnel reflection of the microstructured fiber. Simple splicing and cleaving techniques are used to construct such an interferometer, and the fringe contrast can reach 20 dB. Response to high temperature up to 1000°C is tested and a sensitivity of 17.7 pm/°C at 1570 nm is obtained. This proposed sensor is compact, and fabricated only with splicing and cleaving techniques, which shows a great potential for space-limited high temperature sensing applications.

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the development, reproduction, and predation of the predatory ladybird Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The polyphagous predatory ladybird Cheilomenes. sexmaculata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is distributed throughout southern China and has been investigated as a potential biological control agent against herbivorous insects in various agroecosystems. In the current study, we evaluated the preimaginal development, eclosion rate, reproduction, fertility, adult longevity, and prey consumption of C. sexmaculata under five temperature and five photoperiod regimens. The results showed that preadult developmental duration decreased significantly with increasing temperature and amount of daylight. Adult eclosion rate was highest at 35 degrees C and under conditions of complete darkness. Higher temperatures shortened the duration of copulation and preoviposition, prolonged the duration of oviposition, and increased the level of fecundity. Hatchability was highest at 30 degrees C. By contrast, the shortest copulation and oviposition duration and lowest level of fecundity and hatchability occurred with a completely dark photoperiod. Temperature and the gender of C. sexmaculata influenced adult longevity. In addition, there was a significant interaction effect of photoperiod and gender on adult longevity. Furthermore, prey consumption by fourth instar larvae and adult females both increased with increasing temperature and photoperiod. Our results reveal the high thermal and light sensitivities of C. sexmaculata, which highlight the importance of environment regulation in the mass rearing of this natural enemy for application as a biological control in agroecosystems in China.

Developmental, Reproduction, and Feeding Preferences of the Sitobion avenae Mediated by Soil Silicon Application.

Silicon occupies an important position in the nutrient requirements of wheat. It has been reported that silicon enhances plant resistance to phytophagous insects. However, only limited research has been carried out on the effects of silicon application to wheat and Sitobion avenae populations. In this study, three silicon fertilizer concentrations were treated for potted wheat seedlings, including 0 g/L, 1 g/L, and 2 g/L of water-soluble silicon fertilizer solution. The effect of silicon application on the developmental period, longevity, reproduction, wing pattern differentiation, and other vital life table parameters of the S. avenae were determined. The cage method and the Petri dish isolated leaf method were used to determine the effect of silicon application on the feeding preference of the winged and wingless aphid. The results showed silicon application had no significant effect on the aphid instar of 1-4; although, 2 g/L silicon fertilizer prolonged the nymph stage and 1 and 2 g/L of silicon application all shortened the adult stage and reduced the longevity and fertility of the aphid. Two instances of silicon application reduced the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and finite rate of increase (λ) of the aphid. A 2 g/L silicon application prolonged the population doubling time (td), significantly reduced the mean generation time (T), and increased the proportion of winged aphids. The results also demonstrated that the selection ratio of winged aphids in wheat leaves treated with 1 g/L and 2 g/L silicon was reduced by 8.61% and 17.88%, respectively. The number of aphids on leaves treated with 2 g/L silicon was significantly reduced at 48 and 72 h of aphids released, and the application of silicon to wheat was detrimental to the feeding preference of S. avenae. Therefore, the application of silicon at 2 g/L to wheat has an inhibitory effect on the life parameters and feeding preference of S. avenae.

Effect of High Temperature and Natural Enemies on the Interspecies Competition Between Two Wheat Aphid Species, Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion miscanthi.

Interspecies competition affects the distribution, quantity, and community structure of insects, especially among closely-related (congeners) species. Some ecological factors differentially affect the fitness of co-existing species, thus conferring an advantage on one competitor, and then the structure of communities. The present work evaluated the effects of high temperature and natural enemies on the interspecific competition between the grain aphid Sitobion miscanthi (Takahashi) (Aphididae: Hemiptera) and bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), two key pests of wheat in China. Results showed that the population growth of R. padi was faster at 30°C, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) value was 5 times that of S. miscanthi, indicating that R. padi was more high-temperature resistant and has advantages in interspecific competition at high temperature. Moreover, compared to S. miscanthi, the population of R. padi was less affected by their predator, larvae of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and aphid parasitoids, Aphidius avenae (Haliday) or Aphidius gifuensis (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), which made them gain an advantage in the interspecific competition. Our results enrich the knowledge of phytophagous insect interspecific completion and implicate the ecological mechanism of R. padi may become the dominant species in wheat fields in China.

Diet Quality Scores and Asthenoteratozoospermia Risk: Finding From a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in China.

Objective: We aimed to examine associations of diet quality scores, including the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) with asthenoteratozoospermia risk in China. Methods: Among 254 cases and 633 controls in a hospital-based case-control study in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, DASH, AHEI, and CHEI were calculated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Asthenotetrazoospermia was evaluated according to World Health Organization guidelines. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between quality diet scores and asthenoteratozoospermia risk. Results: We found that the CHEI score was inversely associated with asthenoteratozoospermia risk, with ORs of 0.59 (95% CI 0.39, 0.88) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.39, 0.88) for the 2nd and 3rd tertiles vs. the 1st tertile, respectively (P trend < 0.05). In addition, our data indicated that each standard deviation increase in CHEI, AHEI-2010, and DASH score was associated with 19, 13, and 17% decreased risk of asthenoteratozoospermia, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher adherence to the CHEI, AHEI-2010, and DASH diet quality scores may reduce the risk of asthenoteratozoospermia, especially for younger participants.

Mode-beating-enabled stopband narrowing in all-solid photonic bandgap fiber and sensing applications.

In this paper, core-cladding modal beating in a short piece of all-solid photonic bandgap fiber (AS-PBF) is observed in longitudinal propagation direction. It is demonstrated that at the stopband range of AS-PBF, the power could transfer back and forth between the fiber core and the first layer of high-index rods. Both experimental results and the theoretical analysis from transverse coupled mode theory confirm that the 3-dB width of the sharp stopband could be significantly narrowed by multicycles of such core-cladding modal couplings, which is of great benefit to the high-resolution sensing applications. Based on such a guiding regime, a high-temperature sensor head is also made and its response to temperature is tested to be of 59.9 pm/°C.

Sensitivity-enhanced high-temperature sensing using all-solid photonic bandgap fiber modal interference.

A wavelength-encoded interferometric high-temperature sensor based on an all-solid photonic bandgap fiber (AS-PBF) is reported. It consists of a small piece of AS-PBF spliced core offset with standard single-mode fibers. Two core modes LP(01) and LP(11) are conveniently utilized as optical arms to form Mach-Zehnder-type interference at both the first and the second photonic bandgaps, and the maximum extinction ratio exceeds 25 dB. Experimental and theoretical investigation of its response to temperature confirms that high temperatures up to 700 °C can be effectively sensed using such an AS-PBF interferometer, and benefiting from a large effective thermo-optic coefficient of fiber structure, the sensitivity can be significantly enhanced (71.5 pm/°C at 600 °C).