Methyl jasmonate enhances the safe production ability of Cd-stressed wheat by regulating the antioxidant capacity, Cd absorption, and distribution in wheat.

Identifying green and effective measures for reducing wheat Cd toxicity and grain Cd accumulation is crucial. This study used seedling sand culture and full-grown pot experiments of wheat cultivars 'Luomai23' (LM) and 'Zhongyu10' (ZY). The purpose was to determine the effects of exogenous MeJA on the phenotype, photosynthesis, antioxidant system, Cd accumulation and distribution, transporter gene expression, and cell wall properties of Cd-stressed wheat. Compared with Cd treatment alone, the plant height and maximum root length treated with 0.001 µM MeJA increased by more than 6.3% and 16.6%, respectively. Under 5 mg⋅kg-1 Cd treatment, spraying 10 µM MeJA increased the photosynthetic rate of LM and ZY by 23.5% and 35.8% at the filling stage, respectively. Methyl jasmonate significantly reduced the H2O2 and MDA contents by increasing the activities of POD, DHAR, MDHAR, and GR and the contents of AsA and GSH. Applicating MeJA increased the content of chelate substances, cell wall polysaccharides, and cell wall functional groups. Besides, MeJA regulated the expression of Cd transporter genes, with shoot and root Cd content decreasing by 46.7% and 27.9% in LM, respectively. Spraying 10 µM MeJA reduced Cd absorption and translocation from vegetative organs to grains, thus reducing the grain Cd content of LM and ZY by 36.1 and 39.9% under 5 mg⋅kg-1 Cd treatment, respectively. Overexpressing TaJMT significantly increased the MeJA content and Cd tolerance of Arabidopsis. These results have improved the understanding of the mechanism through which MeJA alleviates Cd toxicity and reduces Cd accumulation in wheat.

Biomaterial Improves the Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells by Passivating Defects and Inhibiting Ion Migration.

With the rapid improvement of power conversion efficiency (PCE), perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have broad application prospects and their industrialization will be the next step. Nevertheless, the performance and long-term stability of the devices are limited by the defect-induced nonradiative recombination centers and ions' migration inside the perovskite films. Here, usnic acid (UA), an easy-to-obtain and efficient natural biomaterial with a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) and four carbonyl groups (-C═O) was added to MAPbI3 perovskite precursor to regulate the crystallization process by slowing the crystallization rate, thereby expanding the crystal size and preparing perovskite films with low defect density. In addition, UA anchors the uncoordinated Pb2+ and suppresses the migration of I-ions, which enhances the stability of the perovskite film. Consequently, an impressive PCE exceeding 20% was achieved for inverted structure MAPbI3-based PSCs. More impressively, the optimized PSCs maintained 78% of the initial PCE under air with high humidity (RH ≈ 65%, 25-30 °C) for 1000 h. UA can be extracted from the plant, usnea, making it inexpensive and easy to obtain. Our work demonstrates the application of the plant material in PSCs and their industrialization, which is significant nowadays.

Association between the circulating very long-chain saturated fatty acid and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES.

BACKGROUND: Age-related cognitive decline has a significant impact on the health and longevity of older adults. Circulating very long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFAs) may actively contribute to the improvement of cognitive function. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between arachidic acid (20:0), docosanoic acid (22:0), tricosanoic acid (23:0), and lignoceric acid (24:0) with cognitive function in older adults. METHODS: This study used a dataset derived from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 806 adults (≥ 60 years) were included who underwent comprehensive cognitive testing and plasma fatty acid measurements. Multivariable linear regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and interaction analyses were used to assess associations between VLSFAs and cognitive function. Partial Spearman' s correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between VLSFAs and palmitic acid (16:0), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systemic inflammatory markers, and dietary nutrients. RESULTS: Multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical conditions, and lifestyle factors, showed that 22:0 and 24:0 levels were positively associated with better global cognitive function (ß = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01, 0.73; ß = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.29, 1.2, respectively) as well as better CEARD-DR Z-score (ß = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.36, 1.3 and ß = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.63, 1.8, respectively). RCS analysis showed linear associations between higher 22:0 and 24:0 levels and better cognitive performance in both global cognitive function and CERAD-DR tests. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that higher levels of 22:0 and 24:0 are associated with better global cognitive function in older adults. 22:0 and 24:0 may be important biomarkers for recognizing cognitive impairment, and supplementation with specific VLSFAs (22:0 and 24:0) may be an important intervention to improve cognitive function. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms between VLSFAs and cognitive function.

An MBene Modulating the Buried SnO2/Perovskite Interface in Perovskite Solar Cells.

The interface of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) plays an important role in transferring and collecting charges. Interface defects are important factors affecting the efficiency and stability of PSCs. Here, the buried interface between SnO2 and the perovskite layer is bridged by two-dimensional (2D) MBene, which improves charge transfer. MBene can deposit additional electrons on the surface of SnO2, passivate its surface defects and facilitate the charge collection. Moreover, the dipole moment formed at the interface increases the electron transfer ability in the PSCs. MBene also regulates the growth of perovskite crystals, improves the quality of perovskite films, and reduces its grain boundary defects. As a result, PSCs based on FA0.2MA0.8PbI3 and (FAPbI3)0.95(MAPbBr3)0.05 get the enhanced efficiencies of 22.34 % and 24.32 % with negligible hysteresis. Furthermore, the optimized device exhibits better stability. This work opens up the application of MBene materials in PSCs, reveals a deeper understanding of the mechanism behind using 2D materials as an interface modification layer, and shows opportunities for using MBene as potential material in photoelectric devices.

Unraveling mechanisms and failures of stray current corrosion in urban Subway adjacent pipeline networks through statistical insights and 3D simulation.

The escalating expansion of urban subway systems in recent years has accentuated the issue of stray current corrosion within pipeline networks, emerging as a critical concern for urban safety. This paper delves into the intricate interplay between these phenomena, employing data-driven statistical analyses to elucidate the coupling characteristics between subway lines and the occurrence of failures in adjacent buried pipelines. An advanced three-dimensional finite element model was developed for stray current corrosion in pipelines, seamlessly integrating empirical data and physics-based modeling, which is to uncover the spatial nuances and multifaceted impacts on subway pipeline corrosion from both macro and micro perspectives under varying influencing factors. The study unveils a pronounced geographical and functional affinity between urban subway networks and metallic pipeline networks. The coupling attributes between subway systems and pipelines, such as distance, angle, and pipeline-specific characteristics including material and age, assume pivotal roles. The results further emphasize the hierarchical order of influence, with stray current intensity holding the greatest sway, followed by the distance between subway and pipelines, the angle between them, and soil resistivity. This paper offers a comprehensive investigation of the interrelationships and influential factors between subway systems and adjacent pipelines. It contributes to the mitigation and management of stray current corrosion in pipelines induced by nearby rail transit, thereby enhancing the resilience of both subway and pipeline networks within urban areas.

SCARB1-encoded circ _0029343 induces p73 splicing to promote growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via miR-486-5p/SRSF3 axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit essential regulation in the malignant development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the physiological mechanisms of circ_0029343 encoded by scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) involved in the growth and metastasis of HCC. Differentially expressed mRNAs in HCC were obtained, followed by the prediction of target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs and gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis on the differentially expressed mRNAs. Moreover, the regulatory relationship between circRNAs encoded by SCARB1 and differentially expressed miRNAs was predicted. In vitro cell experiments were performed to verify the effects of circ_0029343, miR-486-5p, and SRSF3 on the malignant features of HCC cells using the gain- or loss-of-function experiments. Finally, the effects of circ_0029343 on the growth and metastasis of HCC cells in xenograft mouse models were also explored. It was found that miR-486-5p might interact with seven circRNAs encoded by SCARB1, and its possible downstream target gene was SRSF3. Moreover, SRSF3 was associated with the splicing of various RNA. circ_0029343 could sponge miR-486-5p to up-regulate SRSF3 and activate PDGF-PDGFRB (platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor, receptor beta) signaling pathway by inducing p73 splicing, thus promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibiting apoptosis of HCC cells. In vivo, animal experiments further confirmed that overexpression of circ_0029343 could promote the growth and metastasis of HCC cells in nude mice. circ_0029343 encoded by SCARB1 may induce p73 splicing and activate the PDGF-PDGFRB signaling pathway through the miR-486-5p/SRSF3 axis, thus promoting the growth and metastasis of HCC cells.

LOXL4 Shuttled by Tumor Cells-derived Extracellular Vesicles Promotes Immune Escape in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating the STAT1/PD-L1 Axis.

Emerging evidence has validated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) regulate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, while its role in HCC immune escape remains to be elucidated. This study investigates the role of EVs-encapsulated lysyl oxidase like-4 (LOXL4) derived from tumor cells in HCC immune escape. HCC-related microarray data sets GSE36376 and GSE87630 were obtained for differential analysis, followed by identifying the essential genes related to the prognosis of HCC patients. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated with EVs derived from mouse Hepa 1-6 cells and cocultured with CD8 + T cells to observe the CD8 + T-cell activity. At last, a mouse HCC orthotopic xenograft model was constructed to verify the effects of HCC cell-derived EVs on the immune escape of HCC cells and tumorigenicity in vivo by delivering LOXL4. It was found that ACAT1, C4BPA, EHHADH, and LOXL4 may be the essential genes related to the prognosis of HCC patients. On the basis of the TIMER database, there was a close correlation between LOXL4 and macrophage infiltration in HCC. Besides, STAT1 was closely related to LOXL4. In vitro experiments demonstrated that LOXL4 could induce programmed death-ligand 1 expression in macrophages and immunosuppression by activating STAT1. In vivo experiments also verified that HCC cell-derived EVs promoted the immune escape of HCC cells and tumorigenicity by delivering LOXL4. LOXL4 was delivered into macrophages via EVs to induce programmed death-ligand 1 by activating STAT1 and inhibiting the killing ability of CD8 + T cells to HCC cells, thus promoting immune escape in HCC.

Worldwide trends in mortality for hypertensive heart disease from 1990 to 2019 with projection to 2034: data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study.

AIMS: This study aims to analyse the worldwide trends in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) mortality and associations with age, period, and birth cohort and predict the future burden of HHD deaths. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mortality estimates were obtained from Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. We used age-period-cohort (APC) model to examine the age, period, and cohort effects on HHD mortality between 1990 and 2019. Bayesian APC model was utilized to predict HHD deaths to 2034. The global HHD deaths were 1.16 million in 2019 and were projected to increase to 1.57 million in 2034, with the largest increment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Between 1990 and 2019, middle/high-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) countries had the largest mortality reductions (annual percentage change = -2.06%), whereas low SDI countries saw a lagging performance (annual percentage change = -1.09%). There was a prominent transition in the age distribution of deaths towards old-age population in middle/high-middle SDI countries, while the proportion of premature deaths (aged under 60 years) remained at 24% in low SDI countries in 2019. Amongst LMICs, Brazil, China, and Ethiopia showed typically improving trends both over time and in recent birth cohorts, whereas 63 countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan had unfavourable or worsening risks for recent periods and birth cohorts. CONCLUSION: The HHD death burden in 2019 is vast and is expected to increase rapidly in the next decade, particularly for LMICs. Limited progress in HHD management together with high premature mortality would exact huge human and medical costs in low SDI countries. The examples from Brazil, China, and Ethiopia suggest that efficient health systems with action on improving hypertension care can reduce HHD mortality effectively in LMICs.

This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the age, period, and cohort trends in mortality for hypertensive heart disease (HHD) across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019, with projection to 2034. The death burden of HHD is substantial and growing rapidly in most of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Wide disparities exist within LMICs in HHD management, with most low socio-demographic index countries showing little progress in reducing HHD mortality. The examples from Brazil, China, and Ethiopia suggest that prevention policies for HHD can reduce risks for younger birth cohorts and shift the risks for all age groups over time.

Polyphenols as potential preventers of osteoporosis: A comprehensive review on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, molecular mechanisms, and signal pathways in bone metabolism.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone density, alterations in bone microstructure, and increased damage to the bones. As the population ages and life expectancy increases, OP has become a global epidemic, drawing attention from scientists and doctors. Because of polyphenols have favorable antioxidant and anti-allergy effects, which are regarded as potential methods to prevent angiocardipathy and OP. Polyphenols offer a promising approach to preventing and treating OP by affecting bone metabolism, reducing bone resolution, maintaining bone density, and lowering the differentiation level of osteoclasts (OC). There are multiple ways in which polyphenols affect bone metabolism. This article provides an overview of how polyphenols inhibit oxidative stress, exert antibacterial effects, and prevent the occurrence of OP. Furthermore, we will explore the regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways implicated in this process.

Understanding the Mechanics of the Temporomandibular Joint Osteochondral Interface from Micro- and Nanoscopic Perspectives.

The condylar cartilage of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is connected to the subchondral bone by an osteochondral interface that transmits loads without causing fatigue damage. However, the microstructure, composition, and mechanical properties of this interface remain elusive. In this study, we found that structurally, a spatial gradient assembly of hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles exists in the osteochondral interface, with increasing volume of apatite crystals with depth and a tendency to form denser and stacked structures. Combined with nanoindentation, this complex assembly of nanoscale structures and components enhanced energy dissipation at the osteochondral interface, achieving a smooth stress transition between soft and hard tissues. This study comprehensively demonstrates the elemental composition and complex nanogradient spatial assembly of the osteochondral interface at the ultramicroscopic scale, providing a basis for exploring the construction of complex mechanical models of the interfacial region.

One case report of epilepsy and rapidly progressive cognitive impairment after levofloxacin treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of seizure and rapidly progressive cognitive impairment 20 min after intravenous administration of levofloxacin. A 56-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with episodic unconsciousness and unresponsiveness. About 4 days ago, she experienced a loss of consciousness, fell to the floor, and yelled for 2 min, 20 min before the first intravenous dose of levofloxacin. The patient developed symptoms of cognitive impairment after the seizure. Levofloxacin is a synthetic third generation fluoroquinolone used to treat various infectious diseases. Upon admission, the patient was conscious and unresponsive. After 11 days of symptomatic and supportive treatment, the patient was discharged from the hospital with cognition restored to baseline level and no recurrence of seizures 10 months after discharge. DISCUSSION: Epilepsy is a rare adverse reaction to levofloxacin treatment. The patient in this case had infection-related signs before the onset of the disease, and the disease progressed rapidly with fluctuating changes. After ruling out degenerative, infectious, toxic, and autoimmune causes, the patient's symptoms may be attributed to levofloxacin, and this is the first case of seizure and rapidly progressive cognitive impairment after levofloxacin injection reported in the literature. Clinicians should be aware that unexplained, rapidly progressing cognitive impairment with infection-related signs before onset may be a rare side effect of antibiotics.

Effective altruism and the dark side of entrepreneurship.

Purpose: Effective Altruism (EA) has become one of the most prominent socio-philosophical movements of recent years. EA is also facing intense scrutiny due to the business practices of some of its most prominent adherents. On the other hand, the dark triad traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy have been getting increasing attention in entrepreneurship research. There is growing evidence that these traits can motivate entrepreneurial intention. We therefore sought to investigate if there was a connection between the entrepreneurship discourse in EA and traits corresponding to dark triad behavior. Design/methodology/approach: Using a discursive analytic method, we investigated the discursive threads on entrepreneurship in EA over a 10-year period. Findings: While we believe EA brings a much-needed perspective to the overall debate on doing good, we found ample evidence that it might have promoted the sort of dark triad behavior which some evidence suggests can lead to financial success, but can equally lead to the type of morally bankrupt, unethical and even illegal practices of some entrepreneurs. We also discovered a somewhat temporal dimension in EA's discourse on entrepreneurship, beginning with discourse encouraging some risk taking and entrepreneurship, before moving on to discourses on the benefits of having a smart and illicit character, and ending with a focus on aggressive risk taking. Originality: The findings contribute to the still nascent debate on dark personality traits in entrepreneurship, and enriches the theoretical advancement of the field. However, our research differs from prior studies which were almost exclusively focused on the firm. Instead, we examine this phenomenon within a highly influential belief system/philosophical movement.

JMJD6-BRD4 complex stimulates lncRNA HOTAIR transcription by binding to the promoter region of HOTAIR and induces radioresistance in liver cancer stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR acts importantly in liver cancer development, but its effect on radioresistance remains poorly understood. Here, our study probed into the possible impact of HOTAIR in radioresistance in liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and to elucidate its molecular basis. METHODS: Following sorting of stem and non-stem liver cancer cells, LCSCs were identified and subjected to RNA-seq analysis for selecting differentially expressed genes. Expression of HOTAIR was determined in liver cancer tissues and CSCs. The stemness, proliferation, apoptosis and radioresistance of LCSCs were then detected in response to altered expression of HOTAIR-LSD1-JMJD6-BRD4. RESULTS: Ectopic HOTAIR expression was found to promote radioresistance of LCSCs by maintaining its stemness. Mechanistic investigations indicated that HOTAIR recruited LSD1 to the MAPK1 promoter region and reduced the level of H3K9me2 in the promoter region, thus elevating ERK2 (MAPK1) expression. JMJD6-BRD4 complex promoted HOTAIR transcription by forming a complex and positively regulated ERK2 (MAPK1) expression, maintaining the stemness of LCSCs, and ultimately promoting their radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our work highlights the promoting effect of the JMJD6-BRD4 complex on the radioresistance of LCSCs through a HOTAIR-dependent mechanism.

FPLV: Enhancing recommender systems with fuzzy preference, vector similarity, and user community for rating prediction.

Rating prediction is crucial in recommender systems as it enables personalized recommendations based on different models and techniques, making it of significant theoretical importance and practical value. However, presenting these recommendations in the form of lists raises the challenge of improving the list's quality, making it a prominent research topic. This study focuses on enhancing the ranking quality of recommended items in user lists while ensuring interpretability. It introduces fuzzy membership functions to measure user attributes on a multi-dimensional item label vector and calculates user similarity based on these features for prediction and recommendation. Additionally, the user similarity network is modeled to extract community information, leading to the design of a set of corresponding recommendation algorithms. Experimental results on two commonly used datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in enhancing list ranking quality, reducing prediction errors, and maintaining recommendation diversity and accurate user preference classification. This research highlights the potential of integrating heuristic methods with complex network theory and fuzzy techniques to enhance recommendation system performance with interpretability in mind.

Inverse correlation between Alzheimer's disease and cancer from the perspective of hypoxia.

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease and cancer remain epidemiologically inversely related, and exploring the reverse pathogenesis is important for our understanding of both. Cognitive dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) might result from the depletion of adaptive reserves in the brain. Energy storage in the brain is limited and is dynamically regulated by neurovascular and neurometabolic coupling. The research on neurodegenerative diseases has been dominated by the neurocentric view that neuronal defects cause the diseases. However, the proposal of the 2-hit vascular hypothesis in AD led us to focus on alterations in the vasculature, especially hypoperfusion. Chronic hypoxia is a feature shared by AD and cancer. It is interesting how contradicting chronic hypoxia's effects on both cancer and AD are. In this article, we discuss the potential links between the 2 diseases' etiology, from comparable upstream circumstances to diametrically opposed downstream effects. We suggest opposing potential mechanisms, including upregulation and downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, the Warburg and reverse-Warburg effects, lactate-mediated intracellular acidic and alkaline conditions, and VDAC1-mediated apoptosis and antiapoptosis, and search for regulators that may be identified as the crossroads between cancer and AD.

Multidentate Ligand-Passivated CsPbI3 Perovskite Nanocrystals for Stable and Efficient Red-Light-Emitting Diodes.

CsPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) have become a research hot spot in the field of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Whereas, the long chain ligands with weak affinity to CsPbI3 NCs have prevented their further development and commercialization. Herein, a novel multidentate short ligand tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) was employed via a ligand exchange process to enhance hole mobility and decrease trap density of the CsPbI3 NCs film. Therefore, TMTD passivated CsPbI3 NCs LED exhibited 20.65% maximum external quantum efficiency and 3861 cd/m2 maximum luminance. Furthermore, TMTD passivated CsPbI3 NCs LED exhibited good operational stability with a 128 min half-lifetime. This strategy using multidentate short ligand passivation provides an effective way to promote perovskite LED development and commercialization.

Antecedents of immigrants' entrepreneurial intention formation process: an empirical study of immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada.

Economic integration of ever-increasing number of immigrants in the host country is a challenge both for the immigrant and their host government. Immigrant entrepreneurship can be one of the solutions to this challenge. However, little is known about how immigrant entrepreneurship intention formation process takes place. Immigrants face various challenging situations that make them psychologically and cognitively distinct. This study models from a holistic perspective, the dimensions of individual and contextual variables as antecedents of Immigrants' entrepreneurial intention (IEI). The study aims to identify the key factors responsible for developing EI of immigrants with an implementation intent. Cross-sectional data from Canada is examined using a sample of 250 immigrants. The analysis adopts a structural equation modelling approach. In addition to risk perception, bridging social network, and experience, we postulate that the perceived distance of entrepreneurial culture (country of origin versus host country) and entrepreneurial support are crucial factors that influence IEI. Empirical analyses based on survey data partially confirmed our hypotheses. The results show the role of psychological and cognitive factors in determining immigrants' intention to start a new business. We extend the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by identifying certain understudied determinants in the literature and presenting a holistic decision-making process in the context of immigration-entrepreneurship nexus. Examining specific factors that appropriately contextualize immigrant entrepreneurship research and relativize the EI through a learning-based approach advances current literature. It offers insights to policymakers and practitioners to contemplate entrepreneurial culture as a shared liability issue (foreignness, host country), and adapt their entrepreneurship guidance accordingly. Thus, this study opens the way to a better understanding of the business behaviour of immigrants. Their impact matters for the entrepreneurial diversity that resilient ecosystems need.