Methyl jasmonate regulation of pectin polysaccharides in Cosmos bipinnatus roots: A mechanistic insight into alleviating cadmium toxicity.

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a crucial phytohormone, which plays an important role in resistance to Cadmium (Cd) stress. The cell wall (CW) of root system is the main location of Cd and plays a key role in resistance to Cd toxicity. However, the mechanism effect of MeJA on the CW composition and Cd accumulation remain unclear. In this study, the contribution of MeJA in regulating CW structure, pectin composition and Cd accumulation was investigated in Cosmos bipinnatus. Phenotypic results affirm MeJA's significant role in reducing Cd-induced toxicity in C. bipinnatus. Notably, MeJA exerts a dual impact, reducing Cd uptake in roots while increasing Cd accumulation in the CW, particularly bound to pectin. The molecular structure of pectin, mainly uronic acid (UA), correlates positively with Cd content, consistent in HC1 and cellulose, emphasizing UA as pivotal for Cd binding. Furthermore, MeJA modulates pectin methylesterase (PME) activity under Cd stress, influencing pectin's molecular structure and homogalacturonan (HG) content affecting Cd-binding capacity. Chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) within soluble pectins accumulates a substantial Cd proportion, with MeJA regulating both UA content and the minor component 3-deoxy-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) in CSP. The study delves into the intricate regulation of pectin monosaccharide composition under Cd stress, revealing insights into the CW's physical defense and Cd binding. In summary, this research provides novel insights into MeJA-specific mechanisms alleviating Cd toxicity in C. bipinnatus, shedding light on complex interactions between MeJA, and Cd accumulation in CW pectin polysaccharide.

Graphene-Based Microwave Circuits: A Review.

Over the past two decades, research on 2D materials has received much interest. Graphene is the most promising candidate regarding high-frequency applications thus far due to is high carrier mobility. Here, the research about the employment of graphene in micro- and millimeter-wave circuits is reviewed. The review starts with the different methodologies to grow and transfer graphene, before discussing the way graphene-based field-effect-transistors (GFETs) and diodes are built. A review on different approaches for realizing these devices is provided before discussing the employment of both GFETs and graphene diodes in different micro- and millimeter-wave circuits, showing the possibilities but also the limitations of this 2D material for high-frequency applications.

Gender Disparities in Clinical Outcome After Alcohol Septal Ablation for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy in the Chinese Han Population: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Sex differences in the long-term prognosis of symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients undergoing alcohol septal ablation (ASA) remain unclear, especially in the Chinese Han population. METHOD: This cohort study included 320 HOCM Chinese Han patients who underwent ASA because of symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Patients were grouped according to sex: females (mean±standard deviation age [SD] 50.7±6.8 years) and males (mean±SD age 52.6±7.3 years). Individuals were followed over the long term. RESULTS: Pre-procedure, women had more symptoms (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III-IV 67.3% vs 56.3%, p=0.03), more atrial fibrillation (23.5% vs 14.6%, p=0.047) than men. Transient complete atrioventricular block after ASA was more common in woman than in men (34.0 vs 23.4%; p=0.048). Residual LVOT gradient, post-procedural residual left ventricular wall thickness, NYHA functional class, and adverse arrhythmic events were comparable between the two groups. The 10-year survival rate (77% vs 89%, p=0.037) and the annual adverse arrhythmic event rate (1.3% vs 0.4%, p<0.01) following ASA were significantly worse in women compared with men. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly lower survival in women compared with men (p=0.023). In multivariable modelling, female sex remained independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.27; p=0.03) when adjusted for age, NYHA class III-IV symptoms, and other cardiovascular comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with HOCM undergoing ASA tended to have more severe symptoms and adverse arrhythmic events. The 10-year survival rate after ASA was significantly worse in women compared with men with HOCM. Sex may need to be considered as an important factor in the clinical management of patients with symptomatic HOCM.

Efficacy and safety of bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention in high-bleeding-risk elderly patients with chronic total occlusion: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) in high-bleeding-risk elderly patients. BACKGROUND: Bivalirudin reduces PCI-related bleeding; however, its efficacy and safety in patients with CTO, especially elderly patients with a high bleeding risk, remain unclear. METHODS: This single-center prospective randomized controlled trial assigned 123 high-bleeding-risk elderly patients with CTO to either the unfractionated heparin (UFH) group (n = 55) or the bivalirudin group (n = 68). The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during hospitalization and at the 6-month follow-up. The safety endpoint was bleeding or procedure (access)-related complications after PCI. RESULTS: MACE incidence was 17.6% and 20.0% in the bivalirudin and UFH groups, respectively (P = 0.82). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 1-2 bleeding events during hospitalization were comparable between the groups (UFH: 10.9% vs. bivalirudin: 8.8%, P = 0.77). No BARC type 3-5 bleeding events or severe procedure (access)-related complications (subcutaneous hematoma >5 cm) occurred in either group. At the 6-month follow-up, MACE incidence was comparable between the groups (UFH: 3.6% vs. bivalirudin: 1.5%, P = 0.59). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that MACE-free survival rates were comparable between the groups (P = 0.43). One case of BARC type 3-5 bleeding (fatal intracranial hemorrhage) was observed in the UFH group at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Bivalirudin and UFH showed comparable efficacy and safety in elderly patients with a high bleeding risk, undergoing PCI for CTO lesions.