ZmDof08, a zinc finger transcription factor, plays critical roles in photosynthesis in maize.

The gene ZmDof08, which underlies the yellow-green leaf mutant phenotype in maize, enhances the activity of key enzymes involved in C photosynthesis, leading to a significant improvement in photosynthetic efficiency. Improving the photosynthetic efficiency of maize to increase its yield has long been a key focus in global agricultural research. Maize possesses a rich resource of leaf color mutants, which serve as valuable materials for studying leaf photosynthesis.

Predictive analysis of all-cause mortality of previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients complicated by hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for all-cause mortality of previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients complicated by hypertension and construct a predictive model.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of inpatients with previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by hypertension from 2019 to 2021 in Changsha Central Hospital. Patients' survival status and cardiovascular events were collected through telephone follow-up.

Metformin carbon dots-based osteogenic and protein delivery system to promote bone regeneration in periodontitis.

The chronic inflammation in periodontitis suppresses the osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), posing a significant challenge to endogenous bone regeneration. To address this, we developed an osteogenic and protein-delivery composite hydrogel system based on metformin carbon dots (MCDs) to enhance the osteogenic potential of hPDLSCs under inflammatory conditions. We successfully synthesized a novel Gel/MCDs@IGF-1 composite hydrogel (Gel) that exhibited excellent biocompatibility and sequentially released MCDs and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).

Advantages of AI-based whole blood film scanning for blast detection in markedly leucopenic blood films.

To evaluate performance of AI-assisted blast detection via whole blood film scanning in cases of severe leukopenia. From August to October 2023, we collected 157 patient specimens with white blood cell (WBC) counts of ≤2.0 × 10⁹/L.

Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus alleviates microcystin-LR induced visual system defects and dysfunction in zebrafish by modulating apoptosis, retinal inflammation, and phototransduction.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a highly toxic category of biotoxins that can damage eye development and retinal structure in zebrafish, while probiotics can largely benefit the function of the retina. Although they both act on the visual system, whether probiotics can alleviate the visual damage caused by MC-LR in fish and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, we exposed adult zebrafish for 28 days at MC-LR concentrations of 0, 2.

Hexokinases in gastrointestinal cancers: From molecular insights to therapeutic opportunities.

Hexokinases (HKs) catalyze the first step in glycolysis by transferring a phosphate group to glucose to produce glucose-6-phosphate (G6P); dysregulation of HKs is a feature that leads to altered metabolism within gastrointestinal (GI) cancers-namely, gastric, colorectal, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer. Of note, HKs have been found to exert non-canonical roles beyond metabolism, particularly in regulating cell death pathways such as autophagy and apoptosis in these cancers. In this sense, HK2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from apoptosis inhibition through the suppression of mitochondrial permeability transition pore formation by interaction with voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC).

Effects of enzymes originating from on the performance, organ index, serum biochemical indices, and intestinal health homeostasis of broiler chicken.

To study the effect of combined enzymes from on growth performance, organ index, serum biochemical indices, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens, an experiment was conducted with 648 one-day-old AA broilers. The broilers were randomly divided into six groups. The control group was fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, and the experimental groups were supplemented with different enzyme combinations.

Does the pursuit of perfection by Chinese people harm interpersonal relationships? Evidence from the Wenjuan.

Objective: This study aims to explore the mechanisms of the relationship between Perfectionism and interpersonal relationships.

Methods: Data were collected and research was conducted using the online platform Wenjuanxing, which distributed the Psychological Resilience Scale, Core Self-Evaluation Scale, Interpersonal Sensitivity Questionnaire, Perfectionism Scale, and Peer Relationships Scale.

Results: Perfectionism not only directly and significantly predicts interpersonal sensitivity, but it can also mediate interpersonal sensitivity through dual or triple mediation paths formed by Psychological Resilience, Peer Relationships, and Core Self-Evaluation.

Spatial-temporal evolution patterns of influenza incidence in plateau regions from 2009 to 2023.

Objectives: This study used (Geographic Information System) GIS technology to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of influenza incidence in Qinghai from 2009 to 2023, based on influenza surveillance data.

Methods: This study first accessed the influenza data sets of Qinghai Province from 2009 to 2023 through the Chinese Infectious Disease Surveillance System. Subsequently, trend charts of influenza incidence in each city and prefecture were employed to illustrate the trends of influenza incidence during the period from 2009 to 2023.

Role of cell-based therapies in digestive disorders: Obstacles and opportunities.

Stem cell-based therapies have emerged as a promising frontier in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, offering potential solutions for challenges posed by conventional treatments. This review comprehensively examines recent advancements in cell-based therapeutic strategies, particularly focusing on stem cell applications, immunotherapy, and cellular therapies for digestive diseases. It highlights the successful differentiation of enteric neural progenitors from pluripotent stem cells and their application in animal models, such as Hirschsprung disease.

Aflatoxin B1 exposure induces Alzheimer's disease like pathology by disrupting redox homeostasis and activating ferroptotic signals in C57BL/6 J mice.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins with neurotoxicity. Human exposure to AFB1 via contaminated foodstuffs has been linked to the risk of cognitive impairment, which may contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of AD in relation to AFB1 exposure is not clear.

Characteristics and functions of interleukin 21 in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is mainly produced by CD4 T cells and NKT cells, belonging to the gamma chain (γc) family. It promotes the proliferation, activation, and differentiation of immune cells and activates the JAK-STAT, MAPK signaling, and PI3K pathways to regulate immune responses, crucially impacting anti-infectious inflammatory responses. In this study, IL-21 was successfully identified in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Ip), with a coding sequence (CDS) length of 438 bp encoding a 145-amino acid (aa) protein.

Analyzing the Linker Structure of PROTACs throughout the Induction Process: Computational Insights.

Linker structures are a crucial component of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and have traditionally been designed based on empirical methods, which presents significant challenges in the development of PROTACs. Current optimization strategies typically focus on reducing the number of rotatable bonds in the linker to limit conformational freedom. However, this approach overlooks the complexity of the target protein degradation process.

The impact of air pollution on influenza incidence in high-altitude regions: a time-stratified case-crossover study based on Qinghai Province.

Background: The unique characteristics of air pollution in high-altitude regions may significantly influence the transmission and incidence of influenza. However, current research on this phenomenon is limited, and further investigation is urgently needed.

Methods: This study collected influenza outpatient data from Qinghai Province between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021.

Identification of Potential Selective PAK4 Inhibitors Through Shape and Protein Conformation Ensemble Screening and Electrostatic-Surface-Matching Optimization.

P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) plays a crucial role in the proliferation and metastasis of various cancers. However, developing selective PAK4 inhibitors remains challenging due to the high homology within the PAK family. Therefore, developing highly selective PAK4 inhibitors is critical to overcoming the limitations of existing inhibitors.

Multiomics analysis elucidated the role of inflammatory response and bile acid metabolism disturbance in electric shock-induced liver injury in mice.

Purpose: Organ damage caused by electric shock has attracted great attention. Some animal investigations and clinical cases have suggested that electric shock can induce liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of liver injury induced by electric shock.

Novel Foamed Magnesium Phosphate Antimicrobial Bone Cement for Bone Augmentation.

In dental implant surgery, infection is identified as the primary factor contributing to the failure of bone grafts. There is an urgent need to develop bone graft materials possessing antibacterial characteristics to facilitate bone regeneration. Magnesium phosphate bone cement (MPC) is highly desirable for bone regeneration due to its favorable biocompatibility, plasticity, and osteogenic capabilities.

Association between asthma and cardiovascular disease: evidence from the national health and nutrition examination survey 1999-2018.

Background: Cardiovascular disease(CVD) remains a significant global challenge. Asthma, which is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible and limited airflow, plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between asthma and CVD.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of Ponatinib-based N-Phenylpyrimidine-2-amine derivatives as novel fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) selective inhibitors.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) has been proven to be a promising target for FGFR-driven HCC therapy. Great efforts have been devoted to the discovery of FGFR4 inhibitors. In this article, a new class of Ponatinib-based N-phenylpyridine-2-amine derivatives was designed and synthesized as covalent and irreversible FGFR4 selective inhibitors through a rational drug design strategy.

Effects of seasonal climates and MIPS1 mutations on soybean germination through multi-omics analysis.

This study delves into the combined effects of seasonal climate variations and MIPS1 gene mutations on the germination rates of soybean cultivars TW-1 and TW75. Through comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified key KEGG pathways significantly affected by these factors, including starch and sucrose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. These pathways were notably disrupted during the spring, leading to an imbalance in metabolic reserves critical for seedling development.

Cadmium exposure triggers alveolar epithelial cell pyroptosis by inducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and activating the cGAS-STING pathway.

Background: Cadmium is a ubiquitous toxic metal and environmental pollutant. More and more studies have shown that cadmium exposure can damage lung function. Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are structural cells that maintain the stability of lung function.

Electrophilic aromatic substitution of electron-rich arenes with -fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as an electrophile.

An efficient amidation of electron-rich arenes using NFSI as a nitrogen source has been successfully disclosed. This amidation process can be easily conducted at elevated temperatures, without the need for catalysts or additives. A wide range of arenes substituted with hydroxy, alkoxy, or carbonyl groups were found to be compatible, yielding the desired amination products.

Effects of Ferulic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota Imbalance in Linwu Ducks.

Oxidative stress is a major factor that limits the development of the poultry industry. Ferulic acid (FA) has an antioxidant effect in birds, but the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we stimulated oxidative stress in 28-day-old female Linwu ducks by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and fed them a diet supplemented with FA for 28 days.

Regulation of freshwater filamentous green algae (Cladophora) and its impact on malodorous volatile organic sulfur compound (DMS) by biomanipulation.

When improving the water quality of natural bodies such as lakes, the explosive growth of filamentous green alga Cladophora can limit the growth of submerged macrophytes and prevent the water from shifting to a clear state. During the decay of Cladophora, it can cause various water quality issues such as reduced dissolved oxygen, increased nutrient levels and water odor. Biomanipulation, involving the introduction of a suitable density of aquatic animals into the water, can reduce the biomass of filamentous algae.

Krüppel-like transcription factor 14 alleviates alveolar epithelial cell senescence by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in pulmonaryfibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is defined as a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, occurring primarily in older adults with poor prognosis. Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) senescence is the critical pathological mechanism of PF. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating AEC senescence in PF are incompletely understood.