The impact of midsole hardness on joint angles and plantar loading during running at multiple running velocities.

Introduction: Suitable midsoles of running shoes provide better protection for the feet. However, previous studies on the effect of midsole hardness on running biomechanics have ignored the important factor of running velocity and have not reached consistent results. This study set a running velocity with six gradients and aimed to investigate whether the midsole hardness would have a different impact on lower limb joint angles and plantar loading in different velocity ranges.

AcRR1 of Agropyron cristatum boosts wheat yield by regulating grain number per spike and heading date.

Uncovering desirable alien genes from wild species is important for increasing genetic variation and ensuring wheat production. Here, we identify a type-B response regulator (RR) AcRR1 of Agropyron cristatum. Ectopic expression of AcRR1 in common wheat increases the grain number per spike without decreasing the grain weight, thereby enhancing the grain yield by 9.

Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of β-Carboline Heterocyclic Compounds.

A total of 22 β-carboline derivatives were designed and synthesized using d-tryptophan as the starting material by structurally modifying the 3 and 9 positions of β-carboline. The antifungal activity of the synthesized compounds and molecular docking studies against 5 plant pathogenic fungi were tested. The results showed that compounds , , and exhibited higher activity against than the positive control Carbendazim, with EC values of 42.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase IBR5 positively affects salt stress response by modulating CAT2 activity.

Salt stress induces overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupting cellular redox homeostasis and impairing plant growth. As a key ROS-scavenging enzyme, catalase (CAT) is pivotal in maintaining ROS homeostasis. While CAT activity is known to be regulated by multiple protein kinases, the involvement of protein phosphatases in this process remains less understood.

Lower-limb locomotor function studies using walking speed as an assessment indicator: A bibliometric review from 2014 to 2024.

Background: Walking speed is an important kinematic parameter for evaluating lower-limb locomotor function. Our review aims to identify the research trends and hotspots of walking speed in assessing mobility across various populations through bibliometric methods.

Methods: A total of 1656 articles on the topic of walking speed published between 2014 and 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science core database.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of -carboline derivatives with antifungal activity.

To search for and screen out effective antifungal lead compounds applicable to agriculture, a total of 21 tetrahydro--carboline derivatives were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their antifungal activity. Based on biological studies, numerous compounds demonstrate notable antifungal properties . Specifically, compounds and showed higher efficacy against compared to carbendazim, with EC values of 16.

Comprehensive analysis of cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR) gene family in wheat: implications for lignin biosynthesis and stress responses.

Background: Lignin, the second most abundant terrestrial biopolymer, represents a significant renewable natural biomaterial. Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR) catalyzes the conversion of various hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA esters into their corresponding aldehydes, utilizing NADPH as a cofactor. CCR functions as a regulatory point that controls the overall carbon flux towards lignin and constitutes the initial committed step in the lignin biosynthesis pathway.

Covalent conjugation of hemp protein isolates with curcumin via ultrasound to improve its structural and functional properties.

This study investigated the covalent conjugation of hemp protein isolate (HPI) with curcumin induced by ultrasound-generated free radicals and its impact on HPI's structural and functional properties. Ultrasound treatment unfolded the protein structure, increased free amino and sulfhydryl groups, and altered the secondary structure. Curcumin addition enhanced free radical scavenging capacity.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Seedlings Under Heat Stress on Whole Plants, Shoots, and Roots Reveals New HS-Regulated Genes, Organ-Specific Responses, and Shoots-Roots Communication.

High temperatures can severely affect plant development and cause a notable decrease in crop yields. Currently, most studies use whole plants that are exposed to steady, high temperatures. This does not reflect the conditions encountered in natural fields, and it overlooks possible differences and coordination between the shoots and roots under heat stress (HS).

ZnO functionalized paraffin/diatomite phase change material and its thermal management mechanism in PDMS coatings.

The functionalization of conventional diatomite/paraffin phase change materials is of great significance to expand its application in thermal management. Herein, a nano-ZnO functionalized paraffin/diatomite phase change material (PA/F-DE/ZnO) with enhanced thermal conductivity, anti-leakage and UV-adsorption was prepared by simple melt blending and adsorption. The results indicated that when nano-ZnO was introduced to PA/F-DE (mass ratio is 1 : 1) system, the obtained PA/F-DE/ZnO not only possessed enhanced thermal conductivity and reduced leakage but also presented excellent UV absorption performance and retained the heat storage performance well.

Extreme genetic signatures of local adaptation in a notorious rice pest, .

Climatic variation stands as a significant driving force behind genetic differentiation and the evolution of adaptive traits. , commonly known as the rice stem borer, is a highly destructive pest that crucially harms rice production. The lack of natural population genomics data has hindered a more thorough understanding of its climate adaptation, particularly the genetic basis underlying adaptive traits.

Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Promotes Nuclear Translocation of TRAF4 to Enhance Tumor Stemness and Metastatic Dormancy Via C-Jun-mediated IL-8 Autocrine.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is frequently overexpressed in tumors. Although its cytoplasmic role in tumor progression is well-documented, the precise mechanisms underlying its nuclear localization and functional contributions in tumor cells remain elusive. This study demonstrated a positive correlation between the expression of nuclear TRAF4 and both tumor grades and stemness signatures in human cancer tissues.

Transglutaminase 2 regulates endothelial cell calcification via IL-6-mediated autophagy.

Introduction: Endothelial cell (EC) calcification is an important marker of atherosclerotic calcification. ECs play a critical role not only in atherogenesis but also in intimal calcification, as they have been postulated to serve as a source of osteoprogenitor cells that initiate this process. While the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in cellular differentiation, survival, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell adhesion is well established, the mechanism underlying the TG2-mediated regulation of EC calcification is yet to be fully elucidated.

Chronic psychological stress induces testicular oxidative stress affecting reproductive behavior in rats.

The inhibitory effect of chronic psychological stress on reproductive behavior is widely recognized since long. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these effects, especially the cellular biology of the testicular cells, have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic psychological stress on rat reproductive behavior and its correlation with testicular cell damage and oxidative stress.

Landscape of structural variants reveals insights for local adaptations in the Asian corn borer.

Capturing the genetic diversity of different wild populations is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms of adaptation and establishing links between genome evolution and local adaptation. The Asian corn borer (ACB) moth has undergone natural selection during its adaptative evolution. However, structural variants (SVs), which play significant roles in these adaptation processes, have not been previously identified.

Two-dimensional photonic crystal acetylcholinesterase hydrogel and organohydrogel sensors for efficient detection of organophosphorus compounds.

Sensors capable of detecting organophosphorus (OP) compounds have attracted the most attention owing to severe OP contamination worldwide. Despite many years of research, the developed OP sensors mainly focused on detecting water-soluble OPs in proper environments and the exploration of OP sensors suitable in resource-limited areas is extremely challenging. Here, a simple two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D PC) hydrogel featuring capabilities of effectively quantitative determination of OP compounds is facilely constructed by immobilizing the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) onto a bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein hydrogel.

Gambogic acid impairs the maintenance and therapeutic resistance of glioma stem cells by targeting B-cell-specific Moloney leukemia virus insert site 1.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary brain tumor with low effectiveness of available treatments. The tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance are largely due to the presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs). Therefore, eliminating GSCs can overcome the progression, relapse, and resistance of GBM.

One Pot Synthesis of New Benzimidazole Derivatives with Exceptionally High Luminescence Quantum Efficiency.

Aim And Objectives: There are different approaches to the synthesis of benzimidazole. In this article, five new benzimidazole derivatives, BMPO, Me-BMPO, Di-MeBMPO, F-BMPO and Cl-BMPO where (BMPO=3-[(1H)-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl]pyridin-2(1H)-one), have been prepared. Another study was carried out on luminescence properties and their potential applications for the detection of transition metal ions.

Inducing ubiquitination and degradation of TrxR1 protein by LW-216 promotes apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer via triggering ROS production.

Thioredoxin reductases are frequently overexpressed in various solid tumors as a protective mechanism against heightened oxidative stress. Inhibitors of this system, such as Auranofin, are effective in eradicating cancer cells. However, the clinical significance of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) in lung cancer, as well as the potential for its antagonist as a treatment option, necessitated further experimental validation.

Altered gait patterns during arch important development period in children with persistent obesity: An experimental longitudinal study.

Background: Obesity can cause structural changes and functional adjustments in growing children's feet. However, there is a lack of continuous observation of changes in feet in children with persistent obesity during important developmental periods. This makes it challenging to provide precise preventive measures.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of hexahydropyrrolidoindole alkaloids.

Twenty-one hexahydropyrrolidoindole alkaloids were designed and synthesised via acylation reaction at the 3-N position from the commercially available indole-3-acetonitrile as the starting material in excellent yields. The effects of all target compounds against , , , , and were determined. The results of bioassays indicated that the majority of tested compounds displayed comparable or better bioactivity than the positive control.

Detecting and characterizing new endofungal bacteria in new hosts: and in .

The fungus (=) is commonly saprotrophic, exhibiting a nature of decomposing organic matter. Additionally, it serves as a crucial starter in food fermentation and can act as a pathogen causing mucormycosis in humans and animals. In this study, two distinct endofungal bacteria (EFBs), associated with individual strains of , were identified using live/dead staining, fluorescence hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and 16S rDNA sequencing.