OsMATE7-mediated flavonol accumulation regulates pollen tube growth in rice.

Flavonols have been implicated in male sterility and pollen tube growth for over three decades; however, the molecular mechanisms mediating their accumulation in pollen grains remain poorly understood. In this study, a multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporter, OsMATE7, was identified as a key regulator of flavonol accumulation in mature pollen grains, thereby promoting pollen tube growth in rice (Oryza sativa). Mutation of OsMATE7 resulted in a significant reduction in seed setting rates.

Ultrasound combined with microbubble enhanced renoprotective effects of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 in CKD model.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 combined with ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MBs) on kidney function and fibrosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: After establishing the model, SD rats were divided into eight groups (n = 5): Control, CKD, MCC950 (10 mg/kg), MCC950 (5 mg/kg), US + MCC950 (5 mg/kg), US + MBs + MCC950 (5 mg/kg), US and US + MBs. MCC950 was administered at high (10 mg/kg) or low (5 mg/kg) doses, and 200 μL of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles was delivered via tail vein injection.

Application of artificial intelligence in echocardiography from 2009 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Echocardiography is a cornerstone in the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, providing critical insights into cardiac structure and function. Over recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative adjunct to traditional echocardiographic techniques, enhancing diagnostic accuracy through innovations such as automatic view labeling, advanced image segmentation, and predictive disease modeling. The objective of this study is to explore the current status and prevailing research trends in this field from 2009 to 2024 through bibliometric analysis and to forecast future developmental trajectories.

Ablation of macrophage transcriptional factor FoxO1 protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear.

Electrostatically Gated Trilayer Graphene Nanopore as an Ultrathin Rectifying Ion Filter.

Biological ion channels have significant ion selectivity and rectification properties due to angstrom-scale selectivity filters, but it is challenging to develop artificial analogs. Nanopores in two-dimensional (2D) materials have presented various potential applications such as energy conversion, ion separation, and biosensing. Here, we report a subnanometer trilayer graphene (TLG) nanopore with a conical structure as a switchable biomimetic ion filter under electrostatic gating.

OsPPR8, a pentatricopeptide repeat protein, regulates splicing of mitochondrial nad2 intron 3 to affect grain quality and high-temperature tolerance in rice.

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, a large family of plant proteins, play critical roles in regulating various biological functions. However, their contributions to rice grain quality and high-temperature (HT) tolerance remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified OsPPR8, a canonical P-type PPR protein characterized by eight PPR motifs.

Structural variation in the promoter regulates the hull color of rice.

Unlabelled: Rice hull color (HC) is crucial for improving the mechanization efficiency of hybrid rice seed production. However, the genetic resources for hull color currently available for practical production are limited, highlighting an urgent need to explore natural variations that can be utilized in breeding. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the hull color of 301 rice germplasm resources and identified a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3.

Cirrhosis Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis Development by Inhibiting Notch1 in Cardiac Fibroblasts.

Cardiovascular disease risk is elevated in patients with cirrhosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Herein, we found that high levels of circulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were associated with an increased risk of cardiomyopathy in cirrhosis patients.

Large Grain 2, an NHL Domain-Containing Protein, Interacts with FUWA and Regulates Plant Architecture and Grain Size Through the Brassinosteroid Signaling Pathway in Rice.

Plant architecture and grain size are critical traits for rice breeding. Brassinosteroid (BR), a class of plant hormones, regulates these traits by modulating cell elongation, division, and differentiation. Therefore, exploring BR-related genes to leverage their pleiotropic effects is crucial for crop improvement.

Natural Variation of PH8 Allele Improves Architecture and Cold Tolerance in Rice.

Empirical breeding efforts targeting cold tolerance and ideal plant architecture have significantly improved yield and facilitated the geographic expansion of japonica rice cultivation. However, the genetic drivers and underlying molecular mechanisms of these traits remain insufficiently understood. Here, we identify Plant Height 8 (PH8) as a key gene regulating both plant stature and cold stress response in rice.

Social media utilization, mindfulness practice, and psychological distress of nonprofit workers in China: mediation effects of positive and negative affect.

Introduction: In the contemporary landscape, the intersection of technology and human behavior has given rise to transformative trends, prominently featuring the emergence of social media. Nevertheless, studies show that adults who heavily depend on these platforms may affect their psychological distress. Conversely, a growing body of research indicates that engaging in mindfulness practices can regulate emotional reactions and contribute to enhanced mental health, resulting in a reduction of psychological distress.

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Halonitrobenzenes by Platinum Nanoparticles with Auxiliary Co-N Single Sites in Sandwiched Catalysts.

The chemoselective hydrogenation of halonitrobenzenes to haloanilines is of great importance but remains challenging to simultaneously achieve high catalytic activity, excellent selectivity, and good reusability, especially for -substituted substrates. This is due to the occurrence of hydrogenolysis of halogen groups, as well as the easy migration and aggregation of active species on the catalyst surface during the hydrogenation of nitro groups. In this study, we integrate Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with auxiliary Co-N single sites from a porphyrinic metal-organic framework [known as PCN-221(Co)] in a sandwiched nanostructure as a catalyst for the chemoselective hydrogenation of -halonitrobenzenes at 80 °C and 1 MPa H in a 50 mL batch microreactor.

The Efficacy of Left Atrial vs Biatrial Cardioneuroablation in Patients With Vasovagal Syncope: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Cardioneuroablation has been proposed to be effective in patients with vasovagal syncope, whereas the preferred ablation strategy is undetermined.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the preferred ablation strategy of cardioneuroablation between the left atrial (LA) and the bilateral atrial (BiA) approach.

Methods: This study was a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of 2 ablation strategies for patients with vasovagal syncope.

The Efficacy of Cardioneuroablation versus Midodrine in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope: Design and Rationale for the CAMPAIGN Trial.

Background: Current treatment strategies for vasovagal syncope (VVS) patients recommended by the guidelines are diverse, but effects of these therapies are still unsatisfactory with respective limitations on the indications. Cardioneuroablation (CNA), an innovative and promising therapy, has shown potently effective against syncopal recurrences in numerous observational studies. Recently, a single-center randomized clinical trial has reported CNA was superior to non-pharmacologic therapy for VVS patients.

SLC31A1 loss depletes mitochondrial copper and promotes cardiac fibrosis.

Background And Aims: Metals serve as co-factors for a host of metalloenzymes involved in mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming. Modifications in metal homeostasis are linked to epigenetic mechanisms. However, the epigenetic mechanisms through which metal affects cardiac fibrosis (CF) remain poorly understood.

Nanobody-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy.

Targeted delivery can elevate the local drug concentration within tumor tissues, while minimizing drug distribution to normal tissues, thus enhancing the effectiveness of anti-tumor medications and reducing adverse effects and systemic toxicities. Nanobodies, the novel molecular pattern of antibodies characterized by their small size, high stability, strong specificity, and low immunogenicity, have been extensively applied in targeted drug delivery for tumor therapy. This review discusses structural disparities and functional advantages of nanobodies compared to other antibody fragments and full-length antibody.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Urate Crystal Deposition in Tendons With Gout Patients.

Objective: To use ultrasound technology to assess the deposition of urate crystals in the common lower limb tendons of patients with gout, providing additional imaging information for the management of these patients.

Methods: High-frequency ultrasound was retrospectively used to evaluate urate crystal deposition in common lower limb tendons-quadriceps, patellar, and Achilles-in patients with gouty arthritis. Comparative statistical analysis was conducted among asymptomatic hyperuricemia patients and healthy individuals during the same period.

Epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial fission and cardiac fibrosis via sFRP3 promoter methylation.

In the process of cardiac fibrosis, the balance between the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and Wnt inhibitory factor genes plays an important role. Secreted frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3), a Wnt inhibitory factor, has been linked to epigenetic mechanisms. However, the underlying role of epigenetic regulation of sFRP3, which is crucial in fibroblast proliferation and migration, in cardiac fibrosis have not been elucidated.

Exploring the impact of key physicochemical properties of rice on taste quality and instant rice processing.

Taste quality is one of the most important indicators for assessing the quality of rice. However, there has been a lack of systematic studies investigating the impact factors of taste quality. In this study, chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs) with notable differences in physicochemical properties were obtained by screening the CSSL population.

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of ultrasound combined with microbubble therapy technology from 2009 to 2023.

Background: In recent years, with the rapid advancement of fundamental ultrasonography research, the application of ultrasound in disease treatment has progressively increased. An increasing body of research indicates that microbubbles serve not only as contrast agents but also in conjunction with ultrasound, enhancing cavitation effects and facilitating targeted drug delivery, thereby augmenting therapeutic efficacy. The objective of this study is to explore the current status and prevailing research trends in this field from 2009 to 2023 through bibliometric analysis and to forecast future developmental trajectories.

Tc-HFAPi SPECT imaging predicts left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Despite improved treatments for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), myocardial fibrosis remains a key driver of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and increased mortality. Fibroblast activation and proliferation significantly contribute to this process by enhancing cardiac fibrosis, which can lead to detrimental changes in LV structure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Tc-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (Tc-HFAPi) SPECT imaging in predicting LV remodeling over 12 months in post-AMI patients.

Effectiveness of cardioneuroablation in different subtypes of vasovagal syncope.

Background: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) has shown encouraging results in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS). However, data on different subtypes was scarce.

Methods: This observational study retrospectively enrolled 141 patients [mean age: 40 ± 18 years, 51 males (36.