Physiological response and tolerance of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. to low temperature stress.

The plant Sesuvium portulacastrum L., commonly referred to as sea purslane, is a perennial halophytic species with significant potential for development in marine ecological restoration. However, its growth is limited in high-latitude regions with lower temperatures due to its subtropical nature. Furthermore, literature on its cold tolerance is scarce. This study, therefore, focused on sea purslane plants naturally overwintering in Ningbo (29°77'N), investigating their morphological, histological, rooting, and physiological responses to low temperatures (7 °C, 11 °C, 15 °C, and 19 °C). The findings indicated an escalation in cold damage severity with decreasing temperatures. At 7 °C, the plants failed to root and subsequently perished. In contrast, at 11 °C, root systems developed, while at 15 °C and 19 °C, the plants exhibited robust growth, outperforming the 11 °C group in terms of leaf number and root length significantly (P < 0.05). Histological analyses showed a marked reduction in leaf thickness under cold stress (P < 0.05), with disorganized leaf structure observed in the 7 °C group, whereas it remained stable at higher temperatures. No root primordia were evident in the vascular cambium of the 7 and 11 °C groups, in contrast to the 15 and 19 °C groups. Total chlorophyll content decreased with temperature, following the order: 19 °C > 15 °C > 11 °C > 7 °C. Notably, ascorbic acid levels were significantly higher in the 7 and 11 °C groups than in the 15 and 19 °C groups. Additionally, the proline concentration in the 7 °C group was approximately fourfold higher than in the 19 °C group. Activities of antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase-were significantly elevated in the 7 and 11 °C groups compared to the 15 and 19 °C groups. Moreover, the malondialdehyde content in the 7 °C group (36.63 ± 1.75 nmol/g) was significantly higher, about 5.5 and 9.6 times, compared to the 15 °C and 19 °C groups, respectively. In summary, 7 °C is a critical threshold for sea purslane stem segments; below this temperature, cellular homeostasis is disrupted, leading to an excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides and subsequent death due to an inability to neutralize excess reactive oxygen species. At 11 °C, although photosynthesis is impaired, self-protective mechanisms such as enhanced antioxidative systems and osmoregulation are activated. However, root development is compromised, resulting in stunted growth. These results contribute to expanding the geographic distribution of sea purslane and provide a theoretical basis for its ecological restoration in high-latitude mariculture. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01429-6.

GSH/pH dual response drug delivery system for photothermal enhanced gene-immunotherapy.

Breast cancer has emerged as a leading cause of mortality among women. Photothermal therapy represents a recent therapeutic modality for eradicating localized tumors, albeit hindered by its limited penetration into tumor tissues. Recognizing the potential of photothermal therapy to induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, we explored a gene delivery approach utilizing small interfering RNA targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), abbreviated as siPD-L1, to bolster the anti-tumor immune response elicited by this therapy. Nonetheless, the suboptimal release efficiency and inherent instability of RNA molecules have posed challenges to their therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we designed a glutathione (GSH)/pH-responsive micelle system, employing biocompatible and low-toxicity polyethyleneimine in conjunction with structurally robust pluronic P123, to encapsulate both indocyanine green (ICG) and siPD-L1 for precise targeting in breast cancer treatment. The resulting PSP/ICG/siPD-L1 nanocarrier demonstrated admirable biocompatibility and stability. Upon internalization into tumor cells, this nanocarrier exhibited rapid release of both ICG and siPD-L1, responding to the acidic tumor microenvironment and GSH conditions. The inclusion of siPD-L1 effectively downregulated the expression of PD-L1 on the tumor cell surface, thereby impeding tumor growth. Additionally, ICG demonstrated a photothermal effect when exposed to near-infrared light. Both in vitro and in vivo investigations substantiated the nanocarrier's efficacy against tumor cells, culminating in the complete ablation of 4T1 tumors in situ. Consequently, PSP/ICG/siPD-L1 emerges as a promising nanocarrier candidate for augmenting anti-tumor immunity through the synergistic combination of photothermal therapy and gene-based intervention.

Time Trade-Off Value Set for EQ-5D-3L Based on a Nationally Representative Chinese Population Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain a nationally representative Chinese three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire value set based on the time trade-off (TTO) method. METHODS: A multistage, stratified, clustered random nationally representative Chinese sample was used. The study design followed an adapted UK Measurement and Valuation of Health protocol. Each respondent valued 11 random states plus state 33333 and "unconscious" using the TTO method in face-to-face interviews. Three types of models were explored: ordinary least squares, general least squares, and weighted least squares models. RESULTS: In total, 5939 inhabitants aged 15 years and older were interviewed. Of these, 5503 satisfactorily interviewed participants were included in constructing models. An ordinary least squares model including 10 dummies without constant and N3 had a mean absolute error of 0.083 and a correlation coefficient of 0.899 between the predicted and mean values. Goodness-of-fit indices of two models based on split subsample were similar. CONCLUSIONS: TTO values were higher in our study compared with those in a study carried out in urban areas, which is mirrored by the higher values in rural areas. Several other aspects, in addition to the valuation procedure, might have influenced the results, such as factors beyond demographic factors such as view on life and death and believing in an afterlife, which need further investigation. Future studies using the three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire should consider using this value set based on a nationally representative sample of the Chinese population.

Metabolic syndrome does not always play a critical role in decreased GFR.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature available as to the relationship between different levels of each metabolic syndrome (MetS) component and decreased GFR. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate whether MetS always plays a critical role in decreased GFR. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2010 and September 2012, with 75,468 adults enrolled undergoing measurements of blood pressure as well as tests of blood and urine samples. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables and described as a percentage. RESULTS: Of the 75,468 participants, 350 (0.5%) subjects met criteria for the decreased GFR, with a mean age of 48.79 ± 13.76 years. After adjustment for age, diastolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein were inversely related to decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in multivariable analyses, with an OR (95% CI) of 0.57 (0.39-0.84) and 0.41 (0.24-0.72), respectively. The prevalence rate of CKD in critical group was 0.73% (154 of 21,127) and 0% (0 of 370) in noncritical group. In analysis stratified by the type of MetS components, the differences in noncritical group and the reference group were not statistically significant (χ(2 )=( )1.349, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MetS does not always play a critical role in decreased GFR, with different levels of individual components of MetS exerting idiosyncratic effects in decreased eGFR. In fact, patients with abnormal body mass index, high triglycerides, and elevated fasting plasma glucose would not have impact on decreased GFR.