Calcitonin gene-related peptide: a possible biomarker in migraine patients with patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: Serum CGRP has been found to increase during migraine attack. However, whether CGRP can identify MA with PFO subtypes in MA remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the differential expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) between migraine (MA) patients with and without patent foramen ovale (PFO), and to evaluate the predictive value of CGRP for MA with PFO. METHODS: A total of 153 patients with MA, 51 patients with PFO and 102 patients without. Venous blood was drawn and HIT-6 score was calculated during the onset of MA, and blood routine, inflammatory indexes and serum CGRP were detected. The differences in serum markers and HIT-6 scores were compared between the two groups, and the risk factors of MA with PFO were determined by univariate and multivariate logistics regression. Furthermore, the correlation between CGRP level with right-to-left shunt (RLS) grades and headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) score in MA patients with PFO were assessed. Independent risk factors were screened out by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to analyze the diagnostic value of these risk factors in MA complicated with PFO. RESULTS: The serum CGRP level and HIT-6 scores in the MA with PFO group were significantly higher than those in the MA group (P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that CGRP was an independent risk factor for MA with PFO (OR = 1.698, 95% CI = 1.325-2.179, P < 0.001). CGRP values ​​increased with the increase of RLS grade(Spearmen rho = 0.703, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between CGRP and HIT-6 scores was found (Spearmen rho = 0.227; P = 0.016). ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off value for diagnosing MA with PFO was 79 pg/mL, the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting MA with PFO was 0.845, with 72.55% sensitivity and 78.43% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: MA patients with PFO have higher serum CGRP level. elevated CGRP concentration was associated with higher RLS grade and increased HIT-6 score. Higher serum CGRP level has certain clinical value in predicting PFO in MA patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Ethics batch number: 20,201,215,005).

Examination of learning ability development through the implementation of the "autonomy-collaboration" learning mode grounded in evidence-based medicine practice.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, there are still some shortcomings in EBM education in China.The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the novel evidence-based medicine (EBM) learning model of "autonomy-collaboration." METHODS: A total of 91 undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine at Zhongshan Clinical College of Dalian University from the 2019 batch were selected as the participants in this study. They were instructed to follow the EBM learning model of "autonomy-collaboration." Upon completion of the course, questionnaires, records of participants' sentiments and insights, and evidence-based clinical practice reports were used as indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. RESULTS: This learning modality effectively enhanced independent learning ability of the students, stimulated their interest in learning, and strengthened the communication between students and teachers, thereby improving the quality of teaching. CONCLUSION: The novel EBM learning model of "autonomy-collaboration," exhibited robust effectiveness in instruction and facilitated the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge with clinical practice. Consequently, its widespread adoption is strongly recommended.

Dynamic Bond-Directed Synthesis of Stable Mesoporous Metal-Organic Frameworks under Room Temperature.

Stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with mesopores (2-50 nm) are promising platforms for immobilizing nanosized functional compounds, such as metal-oxo clusters, metal-sulfide quantum dots, and coordination complexes. However, these species easily decompose under acidic conditions or high temperatures, hindering their in situ encapsulation in stable MOFs, which are usually synthesized under harsh conditions involving excess acid modulators and high temperatures. Herein, we report a route for the room-temperature and acid-modulator-free synthesis of stable mesoporous MOFs and MOF catalysts with acid-sensitive species encapsulated: (1) we initially construct a MOF template by connecting stable Zr6 clusters with labile Cu-bipyridyl moieties; (2) Cu-bipyridyl moieties are subsequently exchanged by organic linkers to afford a stable version of Zr-MOFs; (3) acid-sensitive species, including polyoxometalates (POMs), CdSeS/ZnS quantum dots, and Cu-coordination cages, can be encapsulated in situ into the MOFs during step 1. The room-temperature synthesis allows the isolation of mesoporous MOFs with 8-connected Zr6 clusters and reo topology as kinetic products, which are inaccessible by traditional solvothermal synthesis. Furthermore, acid-sensitive species remain stable, active, and locked within the frameworks during MOF synthesis. We observed high catalytic activity for VX degradation by the POM@Zr-MOF catalysts as a result of the synergy between redox-active POMs and Lewis-acidic Zr sites. The dynamic bond-directed method will accelerate the discovery of large-pore stable MOFs and offer a mild route to avoid the decomposition of catalysts during MOF synthesis.

Refined Electrolyte and Interfacial Chemistry toward Realization of High-Energy Anode-Free Rechargeable Sodium Batteries.

Anode-free rechargeable sodium batteries represent one of the ultimate choices for the 'beyond-lithium' electrochemical storage technology with high energy. Operated based on the sole use of active Na ions from the cathode, the anode-free battery is usually reported with quite a limited cycle life due to unstable electrolyte chemistry that hinders efficient Na plating/stripping at the anode and high-voltage operation of the layered oxide cathode. A rational design of the electrolyte toward improving its compatibility with the electrodes is key to realize the battery. Here, we show that by refining the volume ratio of two conventional linear ether solvents, a binary electrolyte forms a cation solvation structure that facilitates flat, dendrite-free, planar growth of Na metal on the anode current collector and that is adaptive to high-voltage Na (de)intercalation of P2-/O3-type layered oxide cathodes and oxidative decomposition of the Na2C2O4 supplement. Inorganic fluorides, such as NaF, show a major influence on the electroplating pattern of Na metal and effective passivation of plated metal at the anode-electrolyte interface. Anode-free batteries based on the refined electrolyte have demonstrated high coulombic efficiency, long cycle life, and the ability to claim a cell-level specific energy of >300 Wh/kg.

Recent Advances and Perspectives on the Promising High-Voltage Cathode Material of Na3 (VO)2 (PO4 )2 F.

Na3 (VO)2 (PO4 )2 F (NVOPF) has emerged as one of the most promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) attributed to its high specific capacity (130 mAh g-1 ), high operation voltage (>3.9 V vs Na+ /Na), and excellent structural stability (<2% volume change). However, the comparatively low intrinsic electronic conductivity (≈10-7 S cm-1 ) of NVOPF leads to unsatisfactory electrochemical performance, especially at high rates, limiting its practical applications. To improve the conductivity and enhance Na storage performance, many efforts have been devoted to designing NVOPF, including morphology optimization, hybridization with conductive materials, metal-ion doping, Na-site regulation, and F/O ratio adjustment. These attempts have shown some encouraging achievements and shed light on the practical application of NVOPF cathodes. This work aims to provide a general introduction, synthetic methods, and rational design of NVOPF to give a deeper understanding of the recent progress. Additionally, the unique microstructure of NVOPF and its relationship with Na storage properties are also described in detail. The current status, as well as the advances and limitations of such SIB cathode material, are reported. Finally, future perspectives and guidance for advancing high-performance NVOPF cathodes toward practical applications are presented.

Full-Color Emissive D-D-A Carbazole Luminophores: Red-to-NIR Mechano-fluorochromism, Aggregation-Induced Near-Infrared Emission, and Application in Photodynamic Therapy.

The preparation of multifunctionalized luminophores with full-color emission based on an identical core skeleton is a significative but challenging research topic. In this work, eight donor-donor-acceptor (D-D-A)-type luminogens based on a central carbazole core bearing a C6 hydrocarbon chain were designed by using different kinds of donor and acceptor units on the left and right, and synthesized in good yields. These D-D-A carbazole derivatives display deep-blue, sky-blue, cyan, green, yellow-green, yellow, orange and red fluorescence in the solid state, achieving full-color emission covering the whole visible light range under UV light illumination. Notably, the dicyano-functionalized triphenylamine-containing carbazole derivative exhibits rare aggregation-induced near-infrared emission and red-to-near-infrared mechano-fluorochromism with high contrast beyond 100 nm. Furthermore, the red-emissive luminogen can serve as a potential candidate for cell imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT). This work not only provides reference for the construction of full-color emissive systems but also opens a new avenue to the preparation of multifunctionalized luminophores capable of simultaneous application in near-Infrared mechanical-force sensors and PDT fields.

Full-Color Emissive D-D-A Carbazole Luminophores: Red-to-NIR Mechano-fluorochromism, Aggregation-Induced Near-Infrared Emission, and Application in Photodynamic Therapy.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Zhao Chen at Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University and Yue Sun at Tiangong University. For this cover picture, yellow ball containing character "D" represents donor, green ball containing character "A" represents acceptor. The image depicts eight donor-donor-acceptor-type carbazole derivatives that display full-color emission, and a luminogen that shows red to near-infrared mechano-fluorochromism and a photodynamic therapy effect. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202203797.

Diagnostic ultrasound-mediated microbubble cavitation dose-dependently improves diabetic cardiomyopathy through angiogenesis.

Ultrasound-mediated microbubble cavitation (UMMC) induces therapeutic angiogenesis to treat ischemic diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether diagnostic UMMC alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and, if so, through which mechanisms. DCM model was established by injecting streptozocin into rats to induce hyperglycemia, followed by a high-fat diet. The combined therapy of cation microbubble with low-intensity diagnostic ultrasound (frequency = 4 MHz), with a pulse frequency of 20 Hz and pulse length (PL) of 8, 18, 26, or 36 cycles, was given to rats twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Diagnostic UMMC therapy with PL at 8, 18, and 26 cycles, but not 36 cycles, dramatically prevented myocardial fibrosis, improved heart functions, and increased angiogenesis, accompanied by increased levels of PI3K, Akt, and eNOS proteins in the DCM model of rats. In cultured endothelial cells, low-intensity UMMC treatment (PL = 3 cycles, sound pressure level = 50%, mechanical index = 0.82) increased cell viability and activated PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling. The combination of diagnostic ultrasound with microbubble destruction dose-dependently promoted angiogenesis, thus improving heart function through PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling in diabetes. Accordingly, diagnostic UMMC therapy should be considered to protect the heart in patients with diabetes.

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensing Platform Based on 2D Isomorphic Co/Ni-Metal-Organic Frameworks for Glucose Detection.

Two-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) crystalline materials possess promising potential in the electrochemical sensing process owing to their tunable structures, high specific surface area, and abundant metal active sites; however, developing MOF-based nonenzymatic glucose (Glu) sensors which combine electrochemical activity and environmental stability remains a challenge. Herein, utilizing the tripodic nitrogen-bridged 1,3,5-tris(1-imidazolyl) benzene (TIB) linker, Co2+ and Ni2+, two 2D isomorphic crystalline materials, including Co/Ni-MOF {[Co (TIB)]·2BF4} (CTGU-31) and {[Ni(TIB)]·2NO3} (CTGU-32), with a binodal (3, 6)-connected kgd topological net were firstly synthesized and fabricated with conducting acetylene black (AB). When modified on a glassy carbon electrode, the optimized AB/CTGU-32 (1:1) electrocatalyst demonstrated a higher sensitivity of 2.198 µA µM-1 cm-2, a wider linear range from 10 to 4000 µM, and a lower detection limit (LOD) value (0.09 µM, S/N = 3) compared to previously MOF-based Glu sensors. Moreover, AB/CTGU-32 (1:1) exhibited desirable stability for at least 2000 s during the electrochemical process. The work indicates that MOF-based electrocatalysts are a promising candidate for monitoring Glu and demonstrate their potential for preliminary screening for diabetes.

Negative associations between folate and bacterial vaginosis in the NHANES 2001 to 2004.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common infections among women of reproductive age and accounts for 15-50% of infections globally. The role played by folate in the pathogenesis and progression of BV is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum folate, red blood cell (RBC) folate, and BV in American women. METHODS: 1,954 participants from the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) program were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between serum folate, RBC folate, and BV, and covariates including race, age, education level, and body mass index were used to construct adjusted models. Stratified analysis was used to explore the stability of the above associations in different populations. RESULTS: In the present cross-sectional study, we found that serum folate and RBC folate were inversely associated with the risk of BV. In the fully adjusted model, the risk of BV was reduced by 35% (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.51~0.83, p=0.0007) in the highest serum folate group and 32% (OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.53~0.87, p=0.0023) in the highest RBC folate group compared to the lowest group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that serum folate and RBC folate were inversely associated with the risk of BV folate supplementation may play an important role in the prevention and management of BV.

Protective effect of vitamin B6 against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by modulating NHE1 expression.

Doxorubicin (DOX) has been used to treat various types of cancer, but its application is limited due to its heart toxicity as well as other drawbacks. Chronic inhibition of Na+ /H+ exchanger (NHE1) reduces heart failure and reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); vitamin B6 (VitB6 ) has been demonstrated to have a crucial role in antioxidant mechanism. So, this study was designed to explore the effect of VitB6 supplement on the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and to imply whether NHE1 is involved. Ultrasonic cardiogram analysis revealed that VitB6 supplement could alleviate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity; hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's staining further confirmed this effect. Furthermore, VitB6 supplement exhibited significant antioxidative stress and antiapoptosis effect, which was evidenced by decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) content, and decreased Bcl-2-associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma-2 ratio, respectively. Collectively, VitB6 supplement may exert antioxidative and antiapoptosis effects to improve cardiac function by decreasing NHE1 expression and improve DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Association of air pollutants and meteorological factors with tuberculosis: a national multicenter ecological study in China.

The impact of weather variability and air pollutants on tuberculosis (TB) has been a research hotspot. Previous studies have mostly been limited to a certain area or with a small sample size of cases, and multi-scale systematic studies are lacking. In this study, 14,816,329 TB cases were collected from 31 provinces in China between 2004 and 2018 to estimate the association between TB risk and meteorological factors and air pollutants using a two-stage time-series analysis. The impact and lagged time of meteorological factors and air pollutants on TB risk varied greatly in different provinces and regions. Overall cumulative exposure-response summary associations across 31 provinces suggested that high monthly mean relative humidity (RH) (66.8-82.4%, percentile56-100 (P56-100)), rainfall (316.5-331.1 mm, P96-100), PM2.5 exposure concentration (93.3-145.0 µg/m3, P58-100), and low monthly mean wind speed (1.6-2.1 m/s, P0-38) increased the risk of TB incidence, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04-1.16), 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03-1.16), 2.08 (95% CI: 1.18-3.65), and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.27-3.33), and attributable risk percent (AR%) of 9%, 9%, 52%, and 51%, respectively. Conversely, high monthly average wind speed (2.3-2.9 m/s, P54-100) and mean temperature (20.2-25.3 °C, P79-96), and low monthly average rainfall (2.4-25.2 mm, P0-7) and concentration of SO2 (8.1-21.2 µg/m3, P0-16) exposure decreased the risk of TB incidence, with an overall cumulative RR of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87-0.98), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.59-0.94), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79-0.95), and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.56-0.93), respectively. Our study provided insights into future planning of public health interventions for TB.

Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines, acceptance to vaccination and its influence factors among parents of adolescents 9 to 18 years of age in China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination uptake rates for adolescents are still low in China despite safe and effective human papillomavirus vaccines being available. The awareness and attitudes of parents to HPV vaccines play a decisive role in adolescents' HPV vaccination uptake. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March, 2022 to May, 2022 using an anonymous questionnaire among parents of 9 to 18 years of age from 73 cities in 23 provinces in mainland China. Demographic characteristics of parents, their knowledge and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination, as well as factors influencing HPV vaccination in adolescents were assessed. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of parents heard of HPV (75.5%) and HPV vaccines (84.7%). Of these participants, mothers (83.8%) were in the majority. Parents willing to vaccinate themselves and their children against HPV were 84.9% and 87.6%, respectively. Parents were more likely to vaccinate their daughters against HPV than their sons (P < 0.001). Parents who had heard of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.028) or had vaccinated themselves (P < 0.001) were more likely to have HPV vaccination for their children. Parents who accepted the price of the HPV vaccines (P = 0.005) were more likely to have their children vaccinated against HPV. CONCLUSIONS: Children's gender, awareness of the HPV vaccines, parental HPV vaccination, and the price of the HPV vaccines are likely to be the reason for parents' vaccine hesitancy for adolescents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses have a critical role in identifying parental hesitancy and providing individualized education to expand the parental awareness and knowledge and encourage on-time adolescents vaccination.

Maxillary midline diastema closure with sectional feldspathic porcelain veneers: A case series followed 1 to 4 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcome of maxillary midline diastema closure using sectional feldspathic porcelain veneers up to 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five female patients with stable maxillary midline diastema were included in the current study and restored with minimal invasive sectional feldspathic porcelain veneers under dental microscope. Esthetic, functional, as well as biologic properties of sectional veneers were evaluated according to the World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria after 1 to 4 years' follow-up. RESULTS: Based on FDI criteria, all five cases were evaluated as clinically excellent to satisfactory during a mean observation period of 26.4 months. Slight to moderate cervical marginal staining was observed in two cases after 3 to 4 years' follow-up. Slight white line or ditching of labial surface margin was found in most cases, but it is not easy to be noticed with saliva covering the margins. CONCLUSIONS: Sectional feldspathic porcelain veneers presented satisfying clinical outcome with potential long-term esthetic risk for maxillary midline diastema closure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: 1. Sectional feldspathic porcelain veneers presented satisfying short to medium term clinical performance when applied to close maxillary midline diastema. 2. The exposure of labial surface margin may increase a long-term potential esthetic risk.

Mitigating Electron Leakage of Solid Electrolyte Interface for Stable Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The interfacial stability is highly responsible for the longevity and safety of sodium ion batteries (SIBs). However, the continuous solid-electrolyte interphase(SEI) growth would deteriorate its stability. Essentially, the SEI growth is associated with the electron leakage behavior, yet few efforts have tried to suppress the SEI growth, from the perspective of mitigating electron leakage. Herein, we built two kinds of SEI layers with distinct growth behaviors, via the additive strategy. The SEI physicochemical features (morphology and componential information) and SEI electronic properties (LUMO level, band gap, electron work function) were investigated elaborately. Experimental and calculational analyses showed that, the SEI layer with suppressed growth delivers both the low electron driving force and the high electron insulation ability. Thus, the electron leakage is mitigated, which restrains the continuous SEI growth, and favors the interface stability with enhanced electrochemical performance.

Noncoordinating Flame-Retardant Functional Electrolyte Solvents for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries.

In Li-ion batteries, functional cosolvents could significantly improve the specific performance of the electrolyte, for example, the flame retardancy. In case the cosolvent shows strong Li+-coordinating ability, it could adversely influence the electrochemical Li+-intercalation reaction of the electrode. In this work, a noncoordinating functional cosolvent was proposed to enrich the functionality of the electrolyte while avoiding interference with the Li storage process. Hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene, an efficient flame-retardant agent with proper physicochemical properties, was chosen as a cosolvent for preparing functional electrolytes. The nonpolar phosphazene molecules with low electron-donating ability do not coordinate with Li+ and thus are excluded from the primary solvation sheath. In graphite-anode-based Li-ion batteries, the phosphazene molecules do not cointercalate with Li+ into the graphite lattice during the charging process, which helps to maintain integral anode structure and interface and contributes to stable cycling. The noncoordinating cosolvent was also applied to other types of electrode materials and batteries, paving a new way for high-performance electrochemical energy storage systems with customizable functions.

Halomonas salinarum sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline soil in Yingkou, China.

Strain G5-11T, a Gram-negative, moderately halotolerant, facultatively aerobic, motile bacterium was isolated from saline soil collected from Yingkou, Liaoning, China. The cells of strain G5-11T grew in the presence of 3-15% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5%), at between 4 and 35 °C (optimum 30 °C), and at a pH of 6.0-9.0 (optimum 8.0). The major respiratory quinone was Q-9 and the dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), C16:0, and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c). The major components of the polar lipid profile were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified aminolipid. The G + C content of the strain G5-11T genome was 61.0 mol%. The isolated strain G5-11T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to Halomonas niordiana LMG 31227T and Halomonas taeanensis DSM 16463T, both reaching 98.3%, followed by Halomonas pacifica NBRC 102220T. The results from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses showed that strain G5-11T represented a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas salinarum sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain of Halomonas salinarum is G5-11T (= CGMCC 1.12051T = LMG 31677T).

Highly Emissive Multipurpose Organoplatinum(II) Metallacycles with Contrasting Mechanoresponsive Features.

The development of supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs) with a bright aggregate state or mechanical-stimuli-responsive luminescence is very significant and challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of three different supramolecular platinum(II) metallacycles via coordination-driven self-assembly of a diplatinum(II) acceptor and organic donors with a triphenylamine, carbazole, or tetraphenylethylene moiety. The triphenylamine-modified SCC exhibits aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) but no mechanofluorochromism. The carbazole and tetraphenylethylene-based SCCs exhibit changes in aggregate fluorescence and also exhibit reversible mechanofluorochromism. This work not only reports three rare metallacycles with AIEE, aggregate fluorescence change, or mechanofluorochromic nature but also explores their potential applications in cell imaging and solid-state lighting.

Citronellal alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis via Na+ /H+ exchanger-1 inhibition.

The medical usage of Doxorubicin (DOX) as a chemotherapeutic agent is restricted owing to its cardiotoxic properties. This study was designed to explore the effect and underlying mechanisms of Citronellal (CT) on DOX-related cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into six groups: control, DOX, CT, Lithium chloride (LiCl) (a Na+/H+exchanger-1 [NHE1] activator), DOX + CT, and DOX + CT + LiCl. To induce cardiotoxicity, a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg DOX was intraperitoneally injected into rats. CT (150 mg/kg) and LiCl (1 mg/kg) were given daily by oral gavage for 6 weeks. CT improved cardiac functional parameters and attenuated the cardiac pathological changes induced by DOX. Further study indicated that CT administration regulated the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related factors and in myocardial tissues, reducing cell per-oxidative damage and apoptosis. Besides this, CT attenuated DOX-induced NHE1 upregulation, and the preventive effects of CT against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were abrogated by the concurrent administration of LiCl. These results demonstrate that CT could ameliorate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the NHE1-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis in rats.

Antagonistic Activity and Mechanism of Bacillus subtilis XZ16-1 Suppression of Wheat Powdery Mildew and Growth Promotion of Wheat.

Wheat powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is one of the most serious wheat diseases in the world. Biological control is considered an environmentally safe approach to control plant diseases. Here, to develop effective biocontrol agents for controlling wheat powdery mildew, antagonistic strain XZ16-1 was isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence. The culture filtrate of B. subtilis XZ16-1 and its extracts had a significant inhibitory effect on the spore germination of Bgt. Moreover, the therapeutic and prevention efficacy of the 100% culture filtrate on wheat powdery mildew reached 81.18 and 83.72%, respectively, which was better than that of chemical fungicide triadimefon. Further antimicrobial mechanism analysis showed that the XZ16-1 culture filtrate could inhibit the development of powdery mildew spores by disrupting the cell membrane integrity, causing reductions in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and inducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the spores. Biochemical detection indicated that XZ16-1 could solubilize phosphate, fix nitrogen, and produce hydrolases, lipopeptides, siderophores, and indole-3-acetic acid. Defense-related enzymes activated in wheat seedlings treated with the culture filtrate indicated that disease resistance was induced in wheat to resist pathogens. Furthermore, a 106 CFU/ml suspension of XZ16-1 increased the height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of wheat seedlings by 77.13, 63.46, 76.73, and 19.16%, respectively, and showed good growth-promotion properties. This study investigates the antagonistic activity and reveals the action mechanism of XZ16-1, which can provide an effective microbial agent for controlling wheat powdery mildew.