Deciphering lung granulomas in HIV & TB co-infection: unveiling macrophages aggregation with IL6R/STAT3 activation.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality among individuals coinfected with HIV, characterized by progressive pulmonary inflammation. Despite TB's hallmark being focal granulomatous lung lesions, our understanding of the histopathological features and regulation of inflammation in HIV & TB coinfection remains incomplete. In this study, we aimed to elucidate these histopathological features through an immunohistochemistry analysis of HIV & TB co-infected and TB patients, revealing marked differences. Notably, HIV & TB granulomas exhibited aggregation of CD68 + macrophage (Mφ), while TB lesions predominantly featured aggregation of CD20+ B cells, highlighting distinct immune responses in coinfection. Spatial transcriptome profiling further elucidated CD68+ Mφ aggregation in HIV & TB, accompanied by activation of IL6 pathway, potentially exacerbating inflammation. Through multiplex immunostaining, we validated two granuloma types in HIV & TB versus three in TB, distinguished by cell architecture. Remarkably, in the two types of HIV & TB granulomas, CD68 + Mφ highly co-expressed IL6R/pSTAT3, contrasting TB granulomas' high IFNGRA/SOCS3 expression, indicating different signaling pathways at play. Thus, activation of IL6 pathway may intensify inflammation in HIV & TB-lungs, while SOCS3-enriched immune microenvironment suppresses IL6-induced over-inflammation in TB. These findings provide crucial insights into HIV & TB granuloma formation, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets, particularly for granulomatous pulmonary under HIV & TB co-infection. Our study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HIV & TB coinfection and suggests potential avenues for targeting IL6 signaling with SOCS3 activators or anti-IL6R agents to mitigate lung inflammation in HIV & TB coinfected individuals.

Effects of black bean cell wall pectin by exogenous calcium ions: Insight into the metabolomics, physicochemical properties and anti-digestive capacity.

In this work, the metabolomics, physicochemical and in vitro digestion properties of black beans influenced by different calcium ion solutions (0, 0.5 %, 1 %, and 2 %) were explored. The addition of calcium ions had a significant effect on the metabolic processing of black beans, including 16 differential metabolites and 4 metabolic pathways related to the cell wall. From the results of FT-IR and ICP-OES, it was confirmed that calcium ions can interact with COO- in non-methylated galacturonic acid in pectin to form calcium carboxylate strengthening the middle lamellae of the cell wall. Based on this mechanism, the soaked beans with an intact and dense cell structure were verified by the analyses of SEM and CLSM. Compared with other soaked beans, BB-2 exhibited lower cell permeability with electrical conductivity value decreased to 0.60 µs·cm-1. Additionally, BB-2 demonstrated slower digestion properties with digestion rate coefficient at 0.0020 min-1 and digestion extent only at 30.83 %, which is attributed to its increasingly compact cell wall and densely cellular matrix. This study illustrates the effect of calcium ions on the cellular structure of black beans, providing an effective process method for low glycemic index diets.

Hsa_circ_0005320 affects cell proliferation and the cell cycle via the IGF2BP3/CDK2 axis in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are covalently closed non-coding RNAs, are frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, their precise role in bladder cancer (BCa) remains largely unknown. METHODS: Expression of hsa_circ_0005320 in tissues and cell lines was detected using quantitative real-time PCR. Proliferation and colony forming capacity of BCa cells were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, ethynyl-labeled deoxyuridine, and colony formation assays. The cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry. Protein expression of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) was examined using western blots. The binding of RNA and protein was validated using RNA immunoprecipitation. Additionally, xenograft tumor models were established to validate the function of hsa_circ_0005320 in vivo. RESULTS: We screened hsa_circ_0005320 from previous high-throughput sequencing and found that it was highly expressed in BCa tissues and associated with tumor differentiation and depth of invasion in BCa patients. Through functional experiments, we demonstrated that hsa_circ_0005320 promoted cell proliferation and regulated the cell cycle. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0005320 interacted with and upregulated the expression of IGF2BP3, which binds to and enhances the stability of CDK2 mRNA. Furthermore, knockdown of hsa_circ_0005320 resulted in a reduction in tumor burden in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings highlight the pro-oncogenic role of hsa_circ_0005320 in BCa through the IGF2BP3/CDK2 axis, providing valuable insights into the mechanism of circRNAs in tumor progression.

Optimization of Enzymatic and Chemical Decellularization of Native Porcine Heart Valves for the Generation of Decellularized Xenografts.

One of the most important medical interventions for individuals with heart valvular disease is heart valve replacement, which is not without substantial challenges, particularly for pediatric patients. Due to their biological properties and biocompatibility, natural tissue-originated scaffolds derived from human or animal sources are one type of scaffold that is widely used in tissue engineering. However, they are known for their high potential for immunogenicity. Being free of cells and genetic material, decellularized xenografts, consequently, have low immunogenicity and, thus, are expected to be tolerated by the recipient's immune system. The scaffold ultrastructure and ECM composition can be affected by cell removal agents. Therefore, applying an appropriate method that preserves intact the structure of the ECM plays a critical role in the final result. So far, there has not been an effective decellularization technique that preserves the integrity of the heart valve's ultrastructure while securing the least amount of genetic material left. This study demonstrates a new protocol with untraceable cells and residual DNA, thereby maximally reducing any chance of immunogenicity. The mechanical and biochemical properties of the ECM resemble those of native heart valves. Results from this study strongly indicate that different critical factors, such as ionic detergent omission, the substitution of Triton X-100 with Tergitol, and using a lower concentration of trypsin and a higher concentration of DNase and RNase, play a significant role in maintaining intact the ultrastructure and function of the ECM.

Systematic characterization of Gossypium GLN family genes reveals a potential function of GhGLN1.1a regulates nitrogen use efficiency in cotton.

The enzyme glutamine synthetase (GLN) is mainly responsible for the assimilation and reassimilation of nitrogen (N) in higher plants. Although the GLN gene has been identified in various plants, there is little information about the GLN family in cotton (Gossypium spp.). To elucidate the roles of GLN genes in cotton, we systematically investigated and characterized the GLN gene family across four cotton species (G. raimondii, G. arboreum, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense). Our analysis encompassed analysis of members, gene structure, cis-element, intragenomic duplication, and exploration of collinear relationships. Gene duplication analysis indicated that segmental duplication was the primary driving force for the expansion of the GhGLN gene family. Transcriptomic and quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses indicated that the GhGLN1.1a gene is responsive to N induction treatment and several abiotic stresses. The results of virus-induced gene silencing revealed that the accumulation and N use efficiency (NUE) of cotton were affected by the inactivation of GhGLN1.1a. This study comprehensively analyzed the GhGLN genes in Gossypium spp., and provides a new perspective on the functional roles of GhGLN1.1a in regulating NUE in cotton.

Effect of Fucoidan on Structure and Bioactivity of Chinese Steamed Bread.

Fucoidan refers to a group of sulphated polysaccharides obtained from brown seaweed, with numerous biological activities. In this study, fucoidan was fortified into Chinese steamed bread (CSB) at different concentrations (0, 1%, 3% and 5%) and the effect of fucoidan on the dough properties, structure properties and bioactivity were investigated. The results showed that fucoidan could change the viscosity of unfermented dough, and a high concentration of fucoidan could remove the free radicals produced by the SH-SS exchange reaction (GS-) in the dough, which significantly reduced the content of disulfide bond and reduced the expanded volume of fermented dough (p < 0.05). In addition, fucoidan forms a physical barrier on the surface of starch particles and hinders the reaction between protein-to-protein; therefore, fucoidan increased the hardness, gumminess and chewiness in CSB, and reduced the specific volume in CSB. Furthermore, the fucoidan-fortified CSB samples were found to have both the ability to significantly reduce the predicted glycemic index (pGI) (p < 0.05) and improve antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings could provide a theoretical basis for the applications of fucoidan as a functional component in fermented foods.

The mediation mechanism of calcium ions on black bean type 3 resistant starch: Metabolomics, structure characteristics and digestibility.

The type 3 resistant starch (RS3) is beneficial for blood glucose management. A high quality RS3 was provided and its formation mechanism after calcium ion (Ca2+) treatment was investigated in this study. The metabolomics, structure and digestion properties were evaluated. Metabolomics was performed by untargeted UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and a total of 11 significantly different metabolites was found. The NMR, ATR-FTIR, and XRD results showed that the degree of double helix decreased from 5.34 to 1.07, crystallinity decreased from 33.58 % to 19.88 %, and the amorphous region increased from 69.76 % to 78.33 %. Large particle polymers were observed by SEM on the granule surface of starch with Ca2+ treatment. Digestion test showed that Ca2+ increased the RS3 from 9.70 % to 22.26 %. The result indicated that Ca2+ induced the formation of chelates between Ca2+ and -OH, promoted the RS3 content and regulated carbohydrate metabolism. The study provided theoretical basis for producing low-glycemic black bean foods.

Ex vivo evaluation of 3 different right ventricular outflow tract substitutes.

OBJECTIVES: The Ross procedure represents an excellent treatment option in younger patients with aortic stenosis but is limited by poor availability of homografts. In this study, we investigated the hydrodynamic performance of 3 different types of right ventricular outflow tract replacement with pericardium or synthetic material. METHODS: Three different types of valved conduits were constructed using pericardium and/or synthetic material (Group PEPE: pericardial cusps and pericardial conduit, Group PEPR: pericardial cusps and Dacron conduit, Group PRPR: expanded polytetrafluoroethylene cusps and Dacron conduit). The conduits were designed according to the Ozaki method. Their hydrodynamic performance (effective orifice area, mean pressure gradient and leakage volume) were evaluated in a mock circulation loop at different hydrodynamic conditions. RESULTS: Hydrodynamic assessment showed significantly larger effective orifice area of PEPE and PEPR compared to PRPR under all conditions and there were no significant differences between PEPE and PEPR [for condition 2: PEPE 2.43 (2.35-2.54) cm2, PEPR: 2.42 (2.4-2.5) cm2, PRPR: 2.08 (1.97-2.21) cm2, adjusted pairwise comparisons: PEPE versus PEPR: P = 0.80, PEPE versus PRPR: P < 0.001, PEPR versus PRPR: P < 0.001]. Mean pressure gradient was significantly lower for PEPE and PEPR compared with PRPR, whereas no significant differences were seen between PEPE and PEPR. Leakage volume was significantly lower for PEPE and PEPR compared with PRPR under all conditions while leakage was similar between PEPE and PEPR. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary graft reconstruction with pericardium cusps showed superior hydrodynamic performance compared with polytetrafluoroethylene cusps. Our results suggest that it could be considered as an alternative substitute for right ventricular outflow tract replacement during the Ross procedure.

Spatial-temporal characteristics and driving factors' contribution and evolution of agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in China: 1995-2021.

Comprehending the spatial-temporal characteristics, contributions, and evolution of driving factors in agricultural non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a macro level is pivotal in pursuing temperature control objectives and achieving China's strategic goals related to carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This study employs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) carbon emissions coefficient method to comprehensively evaluate agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions at the provincial level. Subsequently, the contributions and spatial-temporal evolution of six driving factors derived from the Kaya identity were quantitatively explored using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) and Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression (GTWR) methods. The results revealed that the distribution of agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions is shifting from the central provinces to the northwest regions. Moreover, the dominant driving factors of agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions were primarily economic factor (EDL) with positive impact (cumulative promotion is 2939.61 million metric tons (Mt)), alongside agricultural production efficiency factor (EI) with negative impact (cumulative reduction is 2208.98 Mt). Influence of EDL diminished in the eastern coastal regions but significantly impacted underdeveloped regions such as the northwest and southwest. In the eastern coastal regions, EI gradually became the absolute dominant driver, demonstrating a rapid reduction effect. Additionally, a declining birth rate and rural-to-urban population migration have significantly amplified the driving effects of the population factor (RP) at a national scale. These findings, in conjunction with the disparities in geographic and socioeconomic development among provinces, can serve as a guiding framework for the development of a region-specific roadmap aimed at reducing agricultural non-CO2 GHG emissions.

Skp2: A critical molecule for ubiquitination and its role in cancer.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a multi-step process that serves as the primary pathway for protein degradation within cells. UPS activity also plays a crucial role in regulating various life processes, including the cell cycle, signal transduction, DNA repair, and others. The F-box protein Skp2, a crucial member of the UPS, plays a central role in the development of various diseases. Skp2 controls cancer cell growth and drug resistance by ubiquitinating modifications to a variety of proteins. This review emphasizes the multifaceted role of Skp2 in a wide range of cancers and the mechanisms involved, highlighting the potential of Skp2 as a therapeutic target in cancer. Additionally, we describe the impactful influence exerted by Skp2 in various other diseases beyond cancer.

Genomic loci associated with leaf abscission contribute to machine picking and environmental adaptability in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

INTRODUCTION: Defoliation by applying defoliants before machine picking is an important agricultural practice that enhances harvesting efficiency and leads to increased raw cotton purity. However, the fundamental characteristics of leaf abscission and the underlying genetic basis in cotton are not clearly understood. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to (1) reveal the phenotypic variations in cotton leaf abscission, (2) discover the whole-genome differentiation sweeps and genetic loci related to defoliation, (3) identify and verify the functions of key candidate genes associated with defoliation, and (4) explore the relationship between haplotype frequency of loci and environmental adaptability. METHODS: Four defoliation-related traits of 383 re-sequenced Gossypium hirsutum accessions were investigated in four environments. The genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage disequilibrium (LD) interval genotyping and functional identification were conducted. Finally, the haplotype variation related to environmental adaptability and defoliation traits was revealed. RESULTS: Our findings revealed the fundamental phenotypic variations of defoliation traits in cotton. We showed that defoliant significantly increased the defoliation rate without incurring yield and fiber quality penalties. The strong correlations between defoliation traits and growth period traits were observed. A genome-wide association study of defoliation traits identified 174 significant SNPs. Two loci (RDR7 on A02 and RDR13 on A13) that significantly associated with the relative defoliation rate were described, and key candidate genes GhLRR and GhCYCD3;1, encoding a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family protein and D3-type cell cyclin 1 protein respectively, were functional verified by expression pattern analysis and gene silencing. We found that combining of two favorable haplotypes (HapRDR7 and HapRDR13) improved sensitivity to defoliant. The favorable haplotype frequency generally increased in high latitudes in China, enabling adaptation to the local environment. CONCLUSION: Our findings lay an important foundation for the potentially broad application of leveraging key genetic loci in breeding machine-pickable cotton.

Producing and Testing Prototype Tissue-Engineered 3D Tri-Leaflet Valved Stents on Biodegradable Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is a minimally-invasive alternative treatment for right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction and has been rapidly evolving over the past years. Heart valve prostheses currently available still have major limitations. Therefore, one of the significant challenges for the future is the roll out of transcatheter tissue engineered pulmonary valve replacement to more patients. In the present study, biodegradable poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofiber scaffolds in the form of a 3D leaflet matrix were successfully seeded with human endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs (hMSCs), and porcine MSCs (pMSCs) for three weeks for the generation of 3D tissue-engineered tri-leaflet valved stent grafts. The cell adhesion, proliferation, and distribution of these 3D heart leaflets was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All cell lineages were able to increase the overgrown leaflet area within the three-week timeframe. While hMSCs showed a consistent growth rate over the course of three weeks, ECFSs showed almost no increase between days 7 and 14 until a growth spurt appeared between days 14 and 21. More than 90% of heart valve leaflets were covered with cells after the full three-week culturing cycle in nearly all leaflet areas, regardless of which cell type was used. This study shows that seeded biodegradable PCL nanofiber scaffolds incorporated in nitinol or biodegradable stents will offer a new therapeutic option in the future.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation by Intercostal Access: Initial Experience with a No-Touch Technique.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is now a well-established therapeutic option in an elderly high-risk patient cohort with aortic valve disease. Although most commonly performed via a transfemoral route, alternative approaches for TAVI are constantly being improved. Instead of the classical mini-sternotomy, it is possible to achieve a transaortic access via a right anterior mini-thoracotomy in the second intercostal space. We describe our experience with this sternum- and rib-sparing technique in comparison to the classical transaortic approach. METHODS: Our retrospective study includes 173 patients who were treated in our institution between January 2017 and April 2020 with transaortic TAVI via either upper mini-sternotomy or intercostal thoracotomy. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality, and secondary endpoints were defined as major postoperative complications that included admission to the intensive care unit and overall hospital stay, according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were treated with TAo-TAVI by upper mini-sternotomy, while 91 patients received the intercostal approach. Both groups were comparable in age (mean age: 82 years) and in the proportion of female patients. The intercostal group had a higher rate of peripheral artery disease (41% vs. 22%, p = 0.008) and coronary artery disease (71% vs. 40%, p < 0.001) with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting, resulting in significantly higher preinterventional risk evaluation (EuroScore II 8% in the intercostal vs. 4% in the TAo group, p = 0.005). Successful device implantation and a reduction of the transvalvular gradient were achieved in all cases with a significantly lower rate of trace to mild paravalvular leakage in the intercostal group (12% vs. 33%, p < 0.001). The intercostal group required significantly fewer blood transfusions (0 vs. 2 units, p = 0.001) and tended to require less reoperation (7% vs. 15%, p = 0.084). Hospital stays (9 vs. 12 d, p = 0.011) were also shorter in the intercostal group. Short- and long-term survival in the follow-up showed comparable results between the two approaches (30-day, 6-month- and 2-year mortality: 7%, 23% and 36% in the intercostal vs. 9%, 26% and 33% in the TAo group) with acute kidney injury (AKI) and reintubation being independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Transaortic TAVI via an intercostal access offers a safe and effective treatment of aortic valve stenosis.

Phosphorus Availability Affects the Photosynthesis and Antioxidant System of Contrasting Low-P-Tolerant Cotton Genotypes.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient, and an important component of plant metabolism. However, little is known about the effects of low P availability on P absorption, the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and the antioxidant system in cotton. This study used cotton genotypes (sensitive FJA and DLNTDH and tolerant BX014 and LuYuan343) with contrasting low-P tolerance in a hydroponic experiment under 15 µM, 50 µM, and 500 µM P concentrations. The results showed that low P availability reduced plant development and leaf area, shoot length, and dry weight in FJA and DLNADH, compared to BX014 and LuYuan343. The low P availability decreased the gas-exchange parameters such as the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, and increased the intercellular CO2 concentration. Chlorophyll a fluorescence demonstrated that the leaves' absorption and trapped-energy flux were largely steady. In contrast, considerable gains in absorption and trapped-energy flux per reaction center resulted from decreases in the electron transport per reaction center under low-P conditions. In addition, low P availability reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and increased the content of malondialdehyde in the cotton genotypes, especially in FJA and DLNTDH. Moreover, low P availability reduced the activity of PEPC and generated a decline in the content of ATP and NADPH. Our research can provide a theoretical physiological basis for the growth and tolerance of cotton under low-P conditions.

Genetic variation in morphological traits in cotton and their roles in increasing phosphorus-use-efficiency in response to low phosphorus availability.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient required for fundamental processes in plants. Trait plasticity is crucial for plant adaptation to environmental change. Variations in traits underlie diverse phosphorus (P) acquisition strategies among plants. Nevertheless, how the intraspecific plasticity and integration of morphological traits contribute to Phosphorus-Use-Efficiency (PUE) in cotton is unknown. In this study, 25 morphological traits were evaluated in 384 cotton genotypes grown with low P (LP, 10µmol. L-1) and normal nutrition (CK, 500µmol. L-1) to assess the genetic variability of morphological traits and their relationship to phosphorus use efficiency. Results revealed a large genetic variation in mostly morphological traits under low P. Significant enhancement in root traits and phosphorus efficiency-related traits like PUE was observed at LP as compared to CK conditions. In response to low P availability, cotton genotypes showed large plasticity in shoot and total dry biomass, phosphorus, and nitrogen efficiency-related traits (i.e., phosphorus/nitrogen use efficiency, phosphorus/nitrogen uptake efficiency), and most root traits, but a limited response in root dry biomass, taproot length, root surface area, root volume, and SPAD value. In addition, significant correlations were observed between PUtE (phosphorus uptake efficiency), NUE (nitrogen use efficiency), TDB (total dry biomass), and RTD (root tissue density) with PUE under both P supply level and phosphorus stress index, which may be a key indicator for improving PUE under LP conditions. Most root traits are most affected by genotypes than nutrition level. Conserved PUE is more affected by the nutrition level than the genotype effect. Principal component analysis depicted the comprehensive indicators under two P supply conditions were mainly reflected in root-related traits and morphological indicators such as dry matter biomass. These results indicate that interspecific variations exist within these cotton genotypes and traits. Our study provides suggestions for future research to enhance the ability of the earth system model to predict how crops respond to environmental interference and provide target quality for cotton breeding in phosphorus-deficient areas.

Identification and Expression Analysis of the NPF Genes in Cotton.

The NPF (NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER FAMILY) transports various substrates, including nitrogen (N), which is essential for plant growth and development. Although many NPF homologs have been identified in various plants, limited studies on these proteins have been reported in cotton. This study identified 75, 71, and 150 NPF genes in Gossypium arboreum, G. raimondii, and G. hirsutum, respectively, via genome-wide analyses. The phylogenetic tree indicated that cotton NPF genes are subdivided into eight subgroups, closely clustered with Arabidopsis orthologues. The chromosomal location, gene structure, motif compositions, and cis-elements have been displayed. Moreover, the collinearity analysis showed that whole-genome duplication event has played an important role in the expansion and diversification of the NPF gene family in cotton. According to the transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses, several GhNPFs were induced by the nitrogen deficiency treatment. Additional functional experiments revealed that virus-induced silencing (VIGS) of the GhNPF6.14 gene affects the growth and N absorption and accumulation in cotton. Thus, this study lays the foundation for further functional characterization of NPF genes in cotton.

Ameliorative Effects of Silicon against Salt Stress in Gossypium hirsutum L.

Silicon (Si) could alleviate the adverse effect of salinity in many crops, but the effect in cotton remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the role of Si in regulating the salt stress tolerance of cotton by analyzing the induced morpho-physiological changes. A hydroponic experiment was conducted by using contrasting salt-tolerant cotton genotypes (sensitive Z0102; tolerant Z9807) and four treatments (CK, control; CKSi, 0.4 mM Si; NaCl, 150 mM NaCl; NaClSi, 150 mM NaCl+0.4 mM Si). The results showed that Si significantly enhanced the net photosynthesis rate and improved the growth of cotton seedling under salt stress in both salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant genotypes. Exogenous Si significantly reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in salt-stressed cotton. In addition, the application of Si up-regulated the expression of CAT1, SODCC and POD, and significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzymatic activities, such as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), of the salt-stressed cotton seedlings. Further, Si addition protected the integrity of the chloroplast ultrastructure, including key enzymes in photosynthesis such as ferredoxin-NADP reeducates (FNR), ATP synthase (Mg2+Ca2+-ATPase) and ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO), and the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus PSII from salt stress. Moreover, Si significantly increased the effective stomatal density and stomatal aperture in the salt-stressed cotton seedlings. Taken together, Si could likely ameliorate adverse effects of salt stress on cotton by improving the ROS scavenging ability and photosynthetic capacity.

TAVR for All? The Surgical Perspective.

In spite of the noninferiority of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in high- and intermediate-risk patients, there are still obstacles that need to be overcome before the procedure is further expanded and clinically integrated. The lack of evidence on the long-term durability of the bioprostheses used for TAVR remains of particular concern. In addition, surgery may be preferred over TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or with concomitant pathologies such as other valve diseases (mitral regurgitation/tricuspid regurgitation), aortopathy, and coronary artery disease. In this review, we discuss and summarize relevant data from clinical trials, current trends, and remaining obstacles, and provide our perspective on the indications for the expansion of TAVR.

Factors associated with psychological resilience in patients with chronic heart failure and efficacy of psycho-cardiology intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of psycho-cardiology intervention on psychological resilience in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and investigate the associated factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of 142 patients with CHF was carried out. These patients were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Provincial Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University from January 2017 to January 2021. They were grouped according to intervention method, including 74 patients with psycho-cardiology intervention and 68 with conventional intervention. The psychological resilience and the levels of anxiety and depression before and after intervention were assessed with the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS), respectively. The factors associated with psychological resilience in patients with CHF were observed. The relationship between psychological resilience and SAS scores before intervention was studied. RESULTS: Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that age (OR (95% CI): 3.452 (0.862-4.872), P=0.015), gender (OR, (95% CI): 3.389 (0.872-5.023), P=0.035), SAS score (OR (95% CI) 5.433 (1.543-14.333), P=0.027) and SDS score (OR (95% CI): 5.654 (1.572-15.823), P=0.021) were factors associated with psychological resilience in patients with CHF (all P<0.05). The average CD-RISC scores were 56.55±8.89 points in patients with CHF. The psychological resilience was inversely correlated with SAS score (r=-0.450, P<0.001) and SDS scores (r=-0.401, P<0.001). The CD-RISC scores of the observation group after intervention were higher than before intervention and higher than the control group, while SAS and SDS scores were decreased (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Age, gender, SAS, and SDS scores are factors associated with psychological resilience in patients with CHF. Psychological resilience was inversely associated with both anxiety and depression. Psycho-cardiology intervention can improve patients' psychological resilience, and reduce their anxiety and depression.