Causal role of the plasma lipidome in the occurrence and progression of chronic kidney disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: This study aimed to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques to determine causal relationships between the plasma lipidome and the occurrence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Summary statistics for 179 lipid species and six CKD-related phenotypes were retrieved from published large-scale genome-wide association studies. A bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighting (IVW) as the primary MR method.

Oligogalacturonides Operate as Endogenous Elicitors to Regulate Aluminum Tolerance in Pea (Pisum sativum).

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor leading to crop yield reduction in acidic soils. The pectic polysaccharides, key components of plant cell walls, are considered the primary binding site for Al ions. Oligogalacturonide (OGA), the oligomers of alpha-1,4-linked galacturonosyl residues originating from the degradation of cell wall pectin (homogalacturonan), are able to elicit defense responses and protect plants against biotic stress, such as pathogen infections.

Computational Modeling of Network Topology and Molecular Dynamics for the Assessment of Therapeutic Potential of the Astragalus Membranaceus-Salvia Miltiorrhiza Drug Pair in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney and Heart Failure.

Introduction: The bioactive components of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza improved cardiac and renal function in chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), respectively. However, the common regulating molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate these mechanisms using bioinformatics, network topology, and molecular dynamics simulation techniques.

Twenty-year panoramic review of stem cells research in kidney diseases (2005-2025): a bibliometric and clinical trial-based exploration.

Over the past two decades, a systematic elucidation of the overall trajectory and clinical translation of stem cell research in kidney diseases has been lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a bibliometric analysis and clinical trial search focusing on the period from 2005 to 2025, thereby mapping the global landscape of stem cell research in kidney diseases. Our results indicate a growing body of literature, accompanied by extensive international collaborations, with the United States and China leading in research output.

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Xanthate in Flotation by g-CN/ZnInS Heterojunction: Experimental and DFT Studies.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) and zinc indium sulfide (ZnInS) were combined to form CN/ZIS composite materials via a hydrothermal method. The CN/ZIS composites were extensively characterized before they were used for photocatalytic degradation of sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX). Results revealed that 3CN/ZIS outperformed other materials, as evidenced by SIBX degradation efficiency of about 8.

GLCCI1 alleviates GRP78-initiated endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in diabetic retinopathy by upregulating and interacting with HSP90AB1.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are among the first neurons to undergo apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy (DR), with their relationship to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced apoptosis still unclear. While glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) has been shown to inhibit apoptosis, its role in ERS-induced apoptosis and its mechanisms in DR remain unclarified. Our findings indicated that GLCCI1 is predominantly localized in the ganglion cell layer and is downregulated in DR.

Micro-Spherical BiOI Photocatalysts for Efficient Degradation of Residual Xanthate and Gaseous Nitric Oxide.

BiOI microspheres were synthesized using the solvothermal method for the degradation of residual xanthate and gaseous nitric oxide (NO) under visible light irradiation. The as-prepared BiOI nanomaterials were then characterized using various technologies, including XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, UV-Vis DRS, and XPS. The photodegradation results show that the removal efficiency of isobutyl sodium xanthate can reach 98.

A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis identifies mitophagy biomarkers and potential Molecular mechanisms in hypertensive nephropathy.

Mitophagy, the selective removal of damaged mitochondria, plays a critical role in kidney diseases, but its involvement in hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) is not well understood. To address this gap, we investigated mitophagy-related genes in HTN, identifying potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Transcriptome datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were analyzed, resulting in the identification of seven mitophagy related differentially expressed genes (MR-DEGs), namely PINK1, ULK1, SQSTM1, ATG5, ATG12, MFN2, and UBA52.

VOZ1 and VOZ2 transcription factors regulate arsenic tolerance and distribution in rice and Arabidopsis.

Rice is the major source of arsenic (As) intake in humans, as this staple crop readily accumulates As in the grain. Identifying the genes and molecular mechanisms underlying As accumulation and tolerance is a crucial step toward developing rice with reduced As levels. We identified 25 rice genes that improve As tolerance in yeast cells by expressing a complementary DNA (cDNA) library generated from As-treated rice roots.

PIN2/3/4 auxin carriers mediate root growth inhibition under conditions of boron deprivation in Arabidopsis.

The mechanistic basis by which boron (B) deprivation inhibits root growth via the mediation of root apical auxin transport and distribution remains elusive. This study showed that B deprivation repressed root growth of wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings, which was related to higher auxin accumulation (observed with DII-VENUS and DR5-GFP lines) in B-deprived roots. Boron deprivation elevated the auxin content in the root apex, coinciding with upregulation of the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis-related genes (TAA1, YUC3, YUC9, and NIT1) in shoots, but not in root apices.

Microwave-Assisted Rapid Substitution of Ti for Zr to Produce Bimetallic (Zr/Ti)UiO-66-NH with Congenetic "Shell-Core" Structure for Enhancing Photocatalytic Removal of Nitric Oxide.

Efficient nitric oxide (NO) removal without nitrogen dioxide (NO ) emission is desired for the control of air pollution. Herein, a series of (Zr/Ti)UiO-66-NH with congenetic shell-core structure, denoted as Ti-UION, are rapidly synthesized by microwave-assisted post-synthetic modification for NO removal. The optimal Ti-UION (i.

Boron supply restores aluminum-blocked auxin transport by the modulation of PIN2 trafficking in the root apical transition zone.

The supply of boron (B) alleviates the toxic effects of aluminum (Al) on root growth; however, the mechanistic basis of this process remains elusive. This study filled this knowledge gap, demonstrating that boron modifies auxin distribution and transport in Al-exposed Arabidopsis roots. In B-deprived roots, treatment with Al induced an increase in auxin content in the root apical meristem zone (MZ) and transition zone (TZ), whereas in the elongation zone (EZ) the auxin content was decreased beyond the level required for adequate growth.

DWARF AND ROBUST PLANT regulates plant height via modulating gibberellin biosynthesis in chrysanthemum.

YABBY (YAB) genes are specifically expressed in abaxial cells of lateral organs and determine abaxial cell fate. However, most studies have focused on few model plants, and the molecular mechanisms of YAB genes are not well understood. Here, we identified a YAB transcription factor in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Dwarf and Robust Plant (CmDRP), that belongs to a distinct FILAMENTOUS FLOWER (FlL)/YAB3 sub-clade lost in Brassicaceae.

Comparative Analysis of Arsenic Transport and Tolerance Mechanisms: Evolution from Prokaryote to Higher Plants.

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid for all living organisms and can cause serious harm to humans. Arsenic is also toxic to plants. To alleviate As toxicity, all living organisms (from prokaryotes to higher plants) have evolved comprehensive mechanisms to reduce cytosolic As concentration through the set of As transporters localized at the plasma and tonoplast membranes, which operate either in arsenite As(III) extrusion out of cells (via ArsB, ACR3, and aquaporins) or by sequestering arsenic into vacuoles (by ABC transporters).

pH-Dependent mitigation of aluminum toxicity in pea (Pisum sativum) roots by boron.

Boron (B) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity are two major constraints on plants grown in acidic soils. B supply mitigates Al toxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms of this process remain elusive. In this work, Pisum sativum plants were used to address this issue.

Regulation of lignin biosynthesis by an atypical bHLH protein CmHLB in Chrysanthemum.

Stem mechanical strength is one of the most important agronomic traits that affects the resistance of plants against insects and lodging, and plays an essential role in the quality and yield of plants. Several transcription factors regulate mechanical strength in crops. However, mechanisms of stem strength formation and regulation remain largely unexplored, especially in ornamental plants.

Correction: Characterization of Brassica rapa metallothionein and phytochelatin synthase genes potentially involved in heavy metal detoxification.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Shifts in microbial community structure and function in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated soils at petrochemical landfill sites revealed by metagenomics.

Investigations of the microbial community structures, potential functions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation-related genes in PAH-polluted soils are useful for risk assessments, microbial monitoring, and the potential bioremediation of soils polluted by PAHs. In this study, five soil sampling sites were selected at a petrochemical landfill in Beijing, China, to analyze the contamination characteristics of PAHs and their impact on microorganisms. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Strong Emergence in Biological Systems: Is It Open to Mathematical Reasoning?

Complex, multigenic biological traits are shaped by the emergent interaction of proteins being the main functional units at the molecular scale. Based on a phenomenological approach, algorithms for quantifying two different aspects of emergence were introduced (Wegner and Hao in Progr Biophys Mol Biol 161:54-61, 2021) describing: (i) pairwise reciprocal interactions of proteins mutually modifying their contribution to a complex trait (denoted as weak emergence), and (ii) formation of a new, complex trait by a set of n 'constitutive' proteins at concentrations exceeding individual threshold values (strong emergence). The latter algorithm is modified here to take account of protein redundancy with respect to a complex trait ('full redundancy').

Characterization of Brassica rapa metallothionein and phytochelatin synthase genes potentially involved in heavy metal detoxification.

Brassica rapa is an important leafy vegetable that can potentially accumulate high concentrations of cadmium (Cd), posing a risk to human health. The aim of the present study was to identify cadmium detoxifying molecular mechanisms in B. rapa using a functional cloning strategy.

identified as a potential breast cancer marker: evidence from bioinformatics analysis and basic experiments.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of tumor-related death in women worldwide, but its pathogenesis is not clear. The efficient screening of new therapeutic targets for BC through bioinformatics and biological experimental techniques has become a hot topic in BC research.

Methods: The bioinformatics method was used to analyze the gene chips and obtain the hub genes, playing an important role in the development of BC.

Acupuncture Medical Therapy and its Underlying Mechanisms: A Systematic Review.

As a traditional Chinese alternative health care approach, acupuncture is gaining increasing attention and reputation in China and overseas. While becoming increasingly popular globally, some consumers and professionals still know little about the therapy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture. Due to local superiority, there are large numbers of both clinical applications and mechanistic studies performed in China compared to countries overseas.

Wood vinegar and biochar co-application mitigates nitrous oxide and methane emissions from rice paddy soil: A two-year experiment.

Both biochar (BC) and wood vinegar (WV) influence the nitrous oxide (NO) and methane (CH) emissions from agricultural systems. However, the impacts of BC and WV co-application on rice production, NO and CH emissions are not well documented. We here conducted a two-year soil columns experiment with four treatments: WV (5 t WV ha), BC (7.