Vacancies-Induced Delocalized States Cobalt Phosphide for Binder-Free Anode Toward Stable and High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Metal phosphides with easy synthesis, controllable morphology, and high capacity are considered as potential anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the inherent shortcomings of metal phosphating materials, such as conductivity, kinetics, volume strain, etc are not satisfactory, which hinders their large-scale application. Here, a CoP@carbon nanofibers-composite containing rich Co─N─C heterointerface and phosphorus vacancies grown on carbon cloth (CoP1-x@MEC) is synthesized as SIB anode to accomplish extraordinary capacity and ultra-long cycle life. The hybrid composite nanoreactor effectively impregnates defective CoP as active reaction center while offering Co─N─C layer to buffer the volume expansion during charge-discharge process. These vast active interfaces, favored electrolyte infiltration, and a well-structured ion-electron transport network synergistically improve Na+ storage and electrode kinetics. By virtue of these superiorities, CoP1-x@MEC binder-free anode delivers superb SIBs performance including a high areal capacity (2.47 mAh cm-2@0.2 mA cm-2), high rate capability (0.443 mAh cm-2@6 mA cm-2), and long cycling stability (300 cycles without decay), thus holding great promise for inexpensive binder-free anode-based SIBs for practical applications.

Constructing CoP/Ni2P Heterostructure Confined Ru Sub-Nanoclusters for Enhanced Water Splitting in Wide pH Conditions.

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting is of great significance for realizing sustainable energy conversion. In this work, Ru sub-nanoclusters anchored on cobalt-nickel bimetallic phosphides (Ru-CoP/Ni2P) are constructed by an interfacial confinement strategy. Remarkably, Ru-CoP/Ni2P with low noble metal loading (33.1 µg cm-2) shows superior activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in all pH values, whose turnover frequency (TOF) is 8.7, 15.3, and 124.7 times higher than that of Pt/C in acidic, alkaline, and neutral conditions, respectively. Meanwhile, it only requires the overpotential of 171 mV@10 mA cm-2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and corresponding TOF is 20.3 times higher than that of RuO2. More importantly, the Ru-CoP/Ni2P||Ru-CoP/Ni2P displays superior mass activity of 4017 mA mgnoble metal -1 at 2.0 V in flowing alkaline water electrolyzer, which is 105.1 times higher than that of Pt/C||IrO2. In situ Raman spectroscopy demonstrates that the Ru sites in Ru-CoP/Ni2P play a key role for water splitting and follow the adsorption evolution mechanism toward OER. Further mechanism studies disclose the confined Ru atom contributes to the desorption of H2 during HER and the formation of O-O bond during OER, leading to fast reaction kinetics. This study emphasizes the importance of interface confinement for enhancing electrocatalytic activity.

Examining the influence of body fat distribution on standing balance and functional performance in overweight female patients with degenerative lumbar disease.

Introduction: Degenerative lumbar disease (DLD) is a prevalent disorder that predominantly affects the elderly population, especially female. Extensive research has demonstrated that overweight individuals (categorized by body fat distribution) have a higher susceptibility to developing DLD and an increased risk of falling. However, there is limited research available on the standing balance and functional performance of overweight females with DLD. Aims: To determine the impact of body fat distribution on standing balance and functional performance in overweight females with DLD. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated thirty females with DLD were categorized into three types of body fat distribution based on body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio, specifically as android-type, gynoid-type, and normal weight groups. In addition, a control group of ten age-matched females with normal weight was recruited. The Visual Analogue Scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, Cobb angle (Determined using x-ray), and body composition (Determined using the InBody S10), were conducted only on the DLD groups. All participants were assessed standing balance in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. The functional assessments included timed-up-and-go and 5-times-sit-to-stand tests. Results: There were 10 people in each group. Android-type (Age = 65.00 ± 6.34 years; BMI = 26.87 ± 2.05 kg/m2), Gynoid-type (Age = 65.60 ± 4.99 years; BMI = 26.60 ± 1.75 kg/m2), Normal weight (Age = 65.70 ± 5.92 years; BMI = 22.35 ± 1.26 kg/m2), and Control (Age = 65.00 ± 5.23 years; BMI = 22.60 ± 1.12 kg/m2). The android-type group had higher body fat, visceral fat, and lower muscle mass (p < 0.05), along with an increased Cobb angle (p < 0.05). They showed greater ellipse area, total excursion, and mean distance in the anteroposterior direction (p < 0.05). During the functional performance assessments, the android-type group had longer durations in both the 5-times-sit-to-stand and timed-up-and-go tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study found that android-type overweight individuals showed postural instability, reduced functional performance, and insufficient lower limb muscle strength and mass. These findings might help physical therapists in planning interventions, as they imply that patients with DLD may require specific types of standing balance training and lower extremities muscle-strengthening based on their body fat distribution. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05375201.

Resilient green infrastructure: Navigating environmental resistance for sustainable development, social mobility in climate change policy.

This study explores the complex dynamics of environmental resistance, policy stability, skill development, and green initiatives in light of the growing worldwide concerns about climate change. COP27 and the G20 Summit show that as microcosm of the global discourse, provides a unique opportunity to study it. This research sought to thoroughly investigate, the links among green infrastructure, green technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their combined effects on social mobility and climate change (Case-1), it also discusses the global talk on climate change in COP27 and G20 (Case-2). In Case-1 data were analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) by adopting a quantitative approach, and in Case-2 data were analyzed using theme analysis by applying a qualitative approach. Using a mixed-method research approach, the study surveyed 375 locals living close to the CPEC corridor quantitatively and interviewed ten important stakeholders, including elected officials, environmental activists, and community leaders, qualitatively. The survey highlighted the complex perspectives and experiences of citizens with green programs and environmental legislation in the CPEC zone. The study revealed the perceptions and experiences of residents regarding green initiatives and environmental policies within the CPEC region. Key stakeholders provided valuable insights into policy formulation and ongoing environmental sustainability efforts. The analysis unveiled intricate relationships between green infrastructure, technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their collective impact on climate change and social mobility. Notably, the study identified a critical research gap in understanding these dynamics within regions undergoing substantial economic development. Policy formulation and continuing environmental sustainability efforts were aided by key stakeholders' ideas. Green infrastructure, technological innovation, policy stability, skill development, and their overall influence on climate change and social mobility were all examined. Notably, the study found a critical research vacuum in understanding these processes inside rapidly developing economies. Policymakers, environmental groups, and communities managing the fine line between economic success and environmental responsibility will find great value in the findings. This study is unique because it examines issues on climate change from a local perspective in a region that is rapidly developing economically, it also adds value to the climate change challenges on the global level. This study presents a substantial theoretical contribution by examining the intricate interactions among environmental opposition, policy stability, skill development, and green initiatives within the CPEC against the backdrop of global climate change concerns.

Do circular economy, public-private Partnership and carbon policy manage the environmental stress? Developed countries' situation under the Prism of COP27.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the economies have played well to make progress in economic growth. Besides, rapid growth has brought severe challenges, and environmental degradation is one of them. Therefore, the globe has introduced several green initiatives, such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals, but the problem remains intact. Specifically, this study focuses on COP27 and highlights the key challenges and their best solutions. Undoubtedly, most nations have tried to meet their settled targets by 2030, but these have different priorities to facilitate their populace. Therefore, international cooperation has been introduced as a logical solution to collaborate across borders or within the region to deal with sustainability themes. However, developed nations have environmental problems due to industrial, income, and population growth, directly associated with environmental risks. Thus, under the SDGs, this empirical research tries to cover the critical problems (income, population aging, & industrial development) and their best alternative (public-private partnership, emission taxes & circular economy) to minimize environmental issues. Similarly, the current study utilizes an advanced series of estimators to investigate the study's objective for 17 developed nations from 2000 to 2021. Investigated outcomes describe income, population aging, and industrial activities that bring carbon emissions. Conversely, carbon policy and public-private partnerships support the sustainability theme for specified economies. Under the base model, the circular economy declines the environmental pressure by 0.016 %, 0.002 %, and 0.019 %, respectively, under the specified estimators. Moreover, this empirical research investigates the mediating role of carbon policy, public-private partnership & circular economy on industrial development. It brings a significant decline in emissions only for carbon policy & circular economy. However, this study also proposes some green policies to become clean & green shortly.

Multinational evaluation of genetic diversity indicators for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Under the recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 196 Parties committed to reporting the status of genetic diversity for all species. To facilitate reporting, three genetic diversity indicators were developed, two of which focus on processes contributing to genetic diversity conservation: maintaining genetically distinct populations and ensuring populations are large enough to maintain genetic diversity. The major advantage of these indicators is that they can be estimated with or without DNA-based data. However, demonstrating their feasibility requires addressing the methodological challenges of using data gathered from diverse sources, across diverse taxonomic groups, and for countries of varying socio-economic status and biodiversity levels. Here, we assess the genetic indicators for 919 taxa, representing 5271 populations across nine countries, including megadiverse countries and developing economies. Eighty-three percent of the taxa assessed had data available to calculate at least one indicator. Our results show that although the majority of species maintain most populations, 58% of species have populations too small to maintain genetic diversity. Moreover, genetic indicator values suggest that IUCN Red List status and other initiatives fail to assess genetic status, highlighting the critical importance of genetic indicators.

Rhizoma coptidis can inhibit the excessive proliferation, inflammation, and transformation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible heterogeneous disease of lung interstitial tissue. To combat progression of PF, new drugs are required to be developed. Rhizoma coptidis (COP), one of the main alkaloids of Coptis chinensis, is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat various inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible effects of Coptisine (Cop) on the growth, inflammation, as well as FMT of TNF-ß1-induced HFL1 cells and uncover the mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human fetal lung fibroblast 1 (HFL1) was induced using 6ng/mL TGF-ß1 as a model of pulmonary fibrosis. CCK-8, Brdu, and transwell assays indicated the effects on cell growth as well as motility. qPCR and the corresponding kits indicted the effects on cell inflammation. Immunoblot showed the effects on FMT and further confirmed the mechanism. RESULTS: Coptisine inhibits excessive growth as well as motility of TNF-ß1-induced HFL1 cells. It further inhibits inflammation and ROS levels in TNF-ß1-induced HFL1 cells. Coptisine inhibits the FMT process of TNF-ß1-induced HFL1 cells. Mechanically, coptisine promotes the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. CONCLUSION: Coptisine can inhibit the excessive growth, inflammation as well as FMT of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. It could serve as a promising drug of PF.

Precisely Designed Ultra-Small CoP Nanoparticles-decorated Hollow Carbon Nanospheres as Highly Efficient Host in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Designing porous carbon materials with metal phosphides as host materials holds promise for enhancing the cyclability and durability of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries by mitigating sulfur poisoning and exhibiting high electrocatalytic activity. Nevertheless, it is urgent to precisely control the size of metal phosphides to further optimize the polysulfide conversion reaction kinetics of Li-S batteries. Herein, a subtlety regulation strategy was proposed to obtain ultra-small CoP nanoparticles-decorated hollow carbon nanospheres (CoP@C) by using spherical polyelectrolyte brush (SPB) as the template with stabilizing assistance from polydopamine coating, which also works as carbon source. Leveraging the electrostatic interaction between SPB and Co2+, ultra-small Co particles with sizes measuring 5.5 ± 2.6 nm were endowed after calcination. Subsequently, through a gas-solid phosphating process, these Co particles were converted into CoP nanoparticles with significantly finer sizes (7.1 ± 3.1 nm) compared to state-of-the-art approaches. By uniformly distributing the electrocatalyst nanoparticles on hollow carbon nanospheres, CoP@C facilitated the acceleration of Li ion diffusion and enhanced the conversion reaction kinetics of polysulfides through adsorption-diffusion synergy. As a result, Li-S batteries utilizing the CoP@C/S cathode demonstrated an initial specific discharge capacity of 850.0 mAh g-1 at 1.0 C, with a low-capacity decay rate of 0.03% per cycle.

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: clinical outcomes of 60 consecutive cases.

Background: Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) improves rapidly following corticosteroid treatment; however, relapse is common. Therefore, this retrospective observational study aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes of COP and identify the predictive factors for relapse. Methods: The laboratory findings, pulmonary function test results, computed tomography (CT) findings, and clinical outcomes of 60 consecutive COP patients treated at our institution between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics of COP patients who did and did not show improvement were compared to identify the predictive factors for relapse in patients showing improvement. Results: Forty-one patients showed improvement without relapsing (Group 1), whereas thirteen relapsed after showing improvement (Group 2). Six patients did not show any improvement (Group 3). The serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels in Group 3 were greater than those in Groups 1 and 2 (P=0.004). The incidence of traction bronchiectasis and reticular opacities in Group 3 was higher than that in Groups 1 and 2 (P=0.048 and P=0.006, respectively). The cut-off levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood neutrophil fraction (%neutrophils) and lymphocyte fraction (%lymphocytes) for predicting relapse were 6.84 mg/dL, 68.7% and 14.1% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The log-rank test revealed that high serum CRP levels (P<0.001), high %neutrophils (P=0.003) and low %lymphocytes (P=0.006) showed significant correlations with a shorter time to the first relapse episode. Conclusions: Chest CT findings depicting pulmonary fibrosis and high serum KL-6 levels were correlated with the non-improvement of COP. Blood test results indicating inflammatory reactions were correlated with relapse in patients with COP showing improvement.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 Takeaways at the Intersection of Health, Climate, and Food.

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change brought together 85 000 climate stakeholders to leverage solutions and accelerate climate actions in 4 key areas: energy transition; issue of funding and financing of climate actions; emphasis on nature, people's lives, and livelihoods; and ensuring inclusivity for all. This commentary highlights insights at the intersection of health, climate, and food gained by the author from participating in COP 28 events. The objective is to inform policymakers, researchers, and practitioners on emerging opportunities to scale specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based (SMART) climate actions that prioritize health and boost the resilience of food and public health systems.

Identification of COP9 signalosome (CSN) subunits and antiviral function analysis of CSN5 in shrimp.

The constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN) typically composing of eight subunits (CSN1-8) mediates the process of deneddylation and deubiquitination. The fifth subunit of COP9 signalosome, CSN5, has special characteristics compared with the other seven subunits, and plays vital roles in the deneddylation activity and diverse cellular processes. However, the role of CSN5 in antiviral immunity is not clear. In this study, we identified 8 subunits (CSN1-8) of COP9 signalosome in shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus. CSN1-6 were existed in all tested tissues, but CSN7-CSN8 were not detected in hepatopancreas. After WSSV challenged, the expression level of Csn1 to Csn4, and Csn6 to Csn8 were highly decreased, but the expression level of Csn5 was conspicuously increased in shrimp challenged by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The CSN5 was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and its polyclonal antibody was prepared. The expression level of CSN5 was conspicuously increased at RNA and protein levels in the shrimp challenged by WSSV. After knockdown of Csn5 by RNA interference, the WSSV replication was obviously increased in shrimp. When injected the recombinant protein of CSN5 with the membrane penetrating peptide into shrimp, WSSV replication was inhibited and the survival rate of shrimp was significantly improved compared with control. We further analyzed the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in Csn5-RNAi shrimp, and the results showed that the expression of several AMPs was declined significantly. These results indicate that CSN5 inhibits replication of WSSV via regulating expression of AMPs in shrimp, and the recombinant CSN5 might be used in shrimp aquaculture for the white spot syndrome disease control.

The complementary role of carbon dioxide removal: A catalyst for advancing the COP28 pledges towards the 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target.

As the imperative to address climate change becomes more pressing, there is an increasing focus on limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 °C by the end of the century relative to pre-industrial levels. During the recent Conference of Parties (COP28), nations committed to tripling renewable energy generation to a minimum of 11,000 GW by 2030 and increasing the global annual energy efficiency from 2 % to 4 % annually until 2030. Additionally, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) introduced a roadmap to transition the Agri-food system from a net emitter to a carbon sink. The role of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is important; first to accelerate the near-term reduction in net emissions, counterbalance residual emissions at the point of net-zero by mid-century, and sustain large net negative emissions beyond mid-century to return warming to safe levels after decades of temporal overshoot. This paper assesses the impact of the COP 28 agreements, alongside the complementary role of CDR on emission levels, energy structure, land use, and global warming temperature. The findings indicate that implementing the COP28 pledges and FAO roadmap leads to a warming temperature of 2 °C, falling short of the ambitious 1.5 °C temperature limit. Likewise, more stringent actions on transitioning away from fossil plants is a high-priority mitigation action which drives significant emissions reduction. The modelled result shows that Agricultural soil carbon and biochar contribute 47-58 % share of the total CDR deployed in the stylized scenarios. In conclusion, CDR can expedite climate goals but must complement emission reduction efforts; hence, the transition away from fossil fuels should prompt the development of detailed roadmaps. Also, more global efforts should be placed on nature-based CDR methods, as they offer diverse co-benefits.

Modulating the Energy Barrier via the Synergism of Cu3P and CoP to Accelerate Kinetics for Bolstering Oxygen Electrocatalysis in Zn-Air Batteries.

Modulating the energy barrier of reaction intermediates to surmount sluggish kinetics is an utterly intriguing strategy for amplifying the oxygen reduction reaction. Herein, a Cu3P/CoP hybrid is incorporated on hollow porous N-doped carbon nanospheres via dopamine self-polymerization and high-temperature treatment. The resultant Cu3P/CoP@NC showcases a favorable mass activity of 4.41 mA mg-1 and a kinetic current density of 2.38 mA cm-2. Strikingly, the catalyst endows the aqueous Zn-air battery (ZAB) with a large power density of 209.0 mW cm-2, superb cyclability over 317 h, and promising application prospects in flexible ZAB. Theoretical simulations reveal that Cu functions as a modulator to modify the free energy of intermediates and adsorbs the O2 on the Co sites, hence rushing the reaction kinetics. The open and hydrophilic hollow spherical mesoporous structure provides unimpeded channels for reactant diffusion and electrolyte penetration, whereas the exposed inner and outer surfaces can confer a plethora of accessible actives sites. This research establishes a feasible design concept to tune catalytic activity for non-noble metal materials by construction of a rational nanoframework.

Homogeneous Heat Transfer During Freeze-Drying Using Cyclic Olefin Polymer Vials.

In pharmaceutical freeze-drying processes, batch homogeneity is an important quality attribute. In this context, the edge-vial-effect is a challenging phenomenon. Shortly, this effect describes that vials at the edges of the shelf dry faster and at a higher temperature compared to vials in the middle of the shelf. Studies by Ehlers et al. revealed that this effect mainly origins from the number of neighbor vials cooling each other, which is reduced for vials in corners and edges compared to vials in the middle. Due to the reduced heat transfer in cyclic olefin polymer (COP) vials, the adverse edge-vial-effect should be greatly reduced allowing a better batch uniformity. In this focused study, glass and COP vials are compared regarding this effect on a fully loaded shelf. A reference experiment with vials placed at distance using a specially designed frame is presented as well.

Principles for area-based biodiversity conservation.

Recent international agreements have strengthened and expanded commitments to protect and restore native habitats for biodiversity protection ("area-based biodiversity conservation"). Nevertheless, biodiversity conservation is hindered because how such commitments should be implemented has been strongly debated, which can lead to suboptimal habitat protection decisions. We argue that, despite the debates, there are three essential principles for area-based biodiversity conservation. These principles are related to habitat geographic coverage, amount, and connectivity. They emerge from evidence that, while large areas of nature are important and must be protected, conservation or restoration of multiple small habitat patches is also critical for global conservation, particularly in regions with high land use. We contend that the many area-based conservation initiatives expected in the coming decades should follow the principles we identify, regardless of ongoing debates. Considering the importance of biodiversity for maintenance of ecosystem services, we suggest that this would bring widespread societal benefits.

The COP9 signalosome stabilized MALT1 promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer progression through activation of NF-κB pathway.

MALT1 has been implicated as an upstream regulator of NF-κB signaling in immune cells and tumors. This study determined the regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of MALT1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In cell culture and orthotopic xenograft models, MALT1 suppression via gene expression interference or protein activity inhibition significantly impaired malignant phenotypes and enhanced radiation sensitivity of NSCLC cells. CSN5, the core subunit of COP9 signalosome, was firstly verified to stabilize MALT1 via disturbing the interaction with E3 ligase FBXO3. Loss of FBXO3 in NSCLC cells reduced MALT1 ubiquitination and promoted its accumulation, which was reversed by CSN5 interference. An association between CSN5/FBXO3/MALT1 regulatory axis and poor prognosis in NSCLC patients was identified. Our findings revealed the detail mechanism of continuous MALT1 activation in NF-κB signaling, highlighting its significance as predictor and potential therapeutic target in NSCLC.

I Single-Atom Doped P-Rich CoPn Nanocluster@CoP with Enhanced HER.

Constructing I single-atom (ISA) doped CoP electrocatalyst for HER is extremely challenging and has not been reported to date. Herein, an ISA doping-phosphatization strategy is proposed to prepare a novel I single-atom doped P-rich CoPn nanocluster@CoP electrocatalyst (ISA-CoPn/CoP) with enhanced HER performance first. ISA-CoPn/CoP shows a low overpotential of only 44 and 81 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4 solution, to drive a current density of 10 and 100 mA cm-2. ISA and P-rich CoPn nanocluster show unique synergies, which can optimize the H adsorption energy and accelerate the kinetics of HER in the CoP system. The intermediate I─H bond vibration peak is directly observed through in situ Raman testing, demonstrating that ISA doping helps accelerate the HER process. Additionally, the ΔGH of ISA-CoPn/CoP is only 0.05 eV by density functional theory (DFT) calculation, which is conducive to H2 evolution.

Hybrid Surface Modification and Bulk Doping Enable Spent LiCoO2 Cathodes for High-Voltage Operation.

The emerging market demand for high-energy-density of energy storage devices is pushing the disposal of end-of-life LiCoO2 (LCO) to shift toward sustainable upgrading into structurally stable high-voltage cathode materials. Herein, an integrated bulk and surface commodification strategy is proposed to render spent LCO (S-LCO) to operate at high voltages, involving bulk Mn doping, near surface P gradient doping, and Li3PO4/CoP (LPO/CP) coating on the LCO surface to yield upcycled LCO (defined as MP-LCO@LPO/CP). Benefiting from hybrid surface coating with Li+-conductive Li3PO4 (LPO) and electron conductive CoP (CP) coupled with Mn and P co-doping, the optimized MP-LCO@LPO/CP cathode exhibits enhanced high-voltage performance, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 218.8 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C with excellent capacity retention of 80.9% (0.5 C) after 200 cycles at a cut-off voltage of 4.6 V, along with 96.3% of capacity retention over 100 cycles at 4.5 V. These findings may afford meaningful construction for the upcycling of commercial S-LCO into next-generation upmarket cathode materials through the elaborate surface and bulk modification design.

S-nitrosylation may inhibit the activity of COP1 in plant photomorphogenesis.

Protein S-nitrosylation, which is defined by the covalent attachment of nitric oxide (NO) to the thiol group of cysteine residues, is known to play critical roles in plant development and stress responses. NO promotes seedling photomorphogenesis and NO emission is enhanced by light. However, the function of protein S-nitrosylation in plant photomorphogenesis is largely unknown. E3 ligase CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) and transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) antagonistically regulate seedling photomorphogenesis. COP1 inhibits plant photomorphogenesis by targeting photomorphogenic promoters like HY5 for 26S proteasome degradation. Here, we report that COP1 is S-nitrosylated in vitro. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed that two evolutionarily well conserved residues, cysteine 425 and cysteine 607, in the WD40 domain of COP1 are S-nitrosylated. S-nitrosylated glutathione (GSNO) is an important physiological NO donor for protein S-nitrosylation. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gsnor1-3 mutant, which accumulates higher level of GSNO, accumulated higher HY5 levels than wildtype (WT), indicating that COP1 activity is inhibited. Protein S-nitrosylation can be reversed by Thioredoxin-h5 (TRXh5) in plants. Indeed, COP1 interacts directly with TRXh5 and its close homolog TRXh3. Moreover, catalase 3 (CAT3) acts as a transnitrosylase that transfers NO to its target proteins like GSNO reductase (GSNOR). We found that CAT3 interacts with COP1 in plants. Taken together, our data indicate that the activity of COP1 is likely inhibited by NO via S-nitrosylation to promote the accumulation of HY5 and photomorphogenesis.

A Statistical and AI Analysis of the Frequency Spectrum in the Measurement of the Center of Pressure Track in the Seated Position in Healthy Subjects and Subjects with Low Back Pain.

Measuring postural control in an upright standing position is the standard method. However, this diagnostic method has floor or ceiling effects and its implementation is only possible to a limited extent. Assessing postural control directly on the trunk in a sitting position and consideration of the results in the spectrum in conjunction with an AI-supported evaluation could represent an alternative diagnostic method quantifying neuromuscular control. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 188 subjects aged between 18 and 60 years were recruited and divided into two groups: "LowBackPain" vs. "Healthy". Subsequently, measurements of postural control in a seated position were carried out for 60 s using a modified balance board. A spectrum per trail was calculated using the measured CoP tracks in the range from 0.01 to 10 Hz. Various algorithms for data classification and prediction of these classes were tested for the parameter combination with the highest proven static influence on the parameter pain. The best results were found in a frequency spectrum of 0.001 Hz and greater than 1 Hz. After transforming the track from the time domain to the image domain for representation as power density, the influence of pain was highly significant (effect size 0.9). The link between pain and gender (p = 0.015) and pain and height (p = 0.012) also demonstrated significant results. The assessment of postural control in a seated position allows differentiation between "LowBackPain" and "Healthy" subjects. Using the AI algorithm of neural networks, the data set can be correctly differentiated into "LowBackPain" and "Healthy" with a probability of 81%.