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Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F. A. Barkley is a tree species used primarily for lacquer production. Our study utilized transcriptome and metabolomic analysis to investigate the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, specifically the glycosylated forms, in T. vernicifluum roots, stems, and leaves. HPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS identified 186 compounds, with tissue‐specific distributions revealed by PCA. Flavonoids and phenylpropanoids glycosides were significantly more abundant in leaves compared with roots and stems. Full‐length sequencing uncovered 17,266 transcripts in T. vernicifluum. Gene expression analysis showed higher activity of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in leaves. Certain genes, such as CYP73A, 4CL, CRR, CYP84A/F5H, and CYP93C, displayed associations with compound content distributions. Root tissue exhibited a higher concentration of isoflavones. Notably, glycosyltransferase expression demonstrated significant correlations with glycosylated compounds' content. Biochemical validation confirmed the involvement of TvPB_c0_g2904, encoding a UDP‐glucosyltransferase, in genistin biosynthesis in T. vernicifluum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tantalum, in its most stable Ta 2 O 5 oxide form, has long been recognized as a superior coating material in orthopedic applications. In this study, the ideal mechanical strengths of I41/amd, Cmmm, C2/c, Pm, and Pbam phases of Ta 2 O 5 are investigated from first-principles calculation, where the stress–strain curves under various deformation strains are obtained and the structural evolution in terms of atomic bonding is analyzed. The results reveal that these stable Ta 2 O 5 polymorphs show unusual mechanical strengths on their high symmetric crystalline planes. Shear super-plasticity is found on the (001) crystalline plane of the I41/amd phase in any shear direction. Shear strain-stiffening exists on the (100) crystalline plane of the Pm phase in the shear direction within an angle of ± 18 ° along the [001] direction. Both shear super-plasticity and shear strain-stiffening make these crystalline planes be able to sustain excessively large shear deformations. Large and isotropic shear strengths are predicted on the (010) crystalline planes of Pm and Pbam phases with nearly identical maximum and minimum peak shear stresses approaching 15 GPa. Much stronger compression and tensile strengths are obtained normal to the (010) crystalline plane of the C2/c phase due to its special spring-like bonding structure, which can endure the compression deformation up to 30%. These findings provide guidance for selecting suitable phases of Ta 2 O 5 and growth directions with crystalline planes possessing excellent mechanical properties in applications of Ta 2 O 5 as a coating material on Ti alloys for biomedical replacements of damaged human organs, such as hip joints, dental implants, and artificial hearts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of SYNC in diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and explore its underlying mechanism through transcriptomic sequencing (RNA-Seq). Materials and methods: A rat model of IBS-D was constructed to elucidate the effects of SYNC. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), fecal water content (FWC), and recording body weight were calculated to assess visceral sensitivity in rats. Histopathological changes in the colon and alterations in mast cell (MC) count were determined. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess mast cell tryptase (MCT) expression in rat colons. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing Hormone (CRH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were quantified using ELISA. RNA-Seq of colon tissue was performed, followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression levels of key proteins in the Nr4a3 pathway in the colon and hypothalamus tissues of rats. Results: SYNC alleviated visceral hypersensitivity and mood disorders in rats with IBS-D. Moreover, it was positively correlated with its dosage and the observed effects, such as the enhancement of the colon's mucosal lining condition and reduction in the number and activation of MCs within the model group. SYNC reduced the expression levels of factors related to the brain-gut axis and inflammatory markers in the bloodstream. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that SYNC down-regulated the expression of Nr4a3 and PI3K. These SYNC-targeted genes primarily played roles in immune regulation and inflammatory responses, correlating with the modulation of Nr4a3 and the PI3K/AKT pathway. Western blot analysis further confirmed SYNC's influence on inflammation-related MC activation by downregulating key proteins in the Nr4a3/PI3K pathway. Conclusions: SYNC inhibited mast cell activation and attenuated visceral hypersensitivity in the colon tissues of IBS-D rats. These effects were mediated by the Nr4a3/PI3K signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a dangerous corneal infection that is common in tropical and subtropical areas. Its incidence is extremely high, and ocular trauma and contact lenses can lead to FK, but its common treatment such as using topical antifungal eye drop instillation is often less effective because of several drawbacks of the drugs typically used, including limited ocular penetration, high frequency of dosing, poor biocompatibility, and the potential for severe drug reactions. Therefore, the development of novel drug delivery devices for the treatment of FK is urgent. The urgent need for novel drug delivery devices to treat FK has led to the development of several techniques, including nanoparticles (NPs), in situ forming hydrogels, contact lenses, and microneedles (MNs). However, it is important to note that the main mechanisms differ between these techniques. NPs can transport large amounts of drugs and be taken up by cells owing to their large surface area and small size. In situ forming hydrogels can significantly extend the residence time of drugs because of their strong adhesive properties. Contact lenses, with their comfortable shape and drug-carrying capacity, can also act as drug delivery devices. MNs can create channels in the cornea, bypassing its barrier and enhancing drug bioavailability. This article will go over novel medication delivery techniques for treating FK and make a conclusion about their advantages and limitations in anticipation to serve the best option for the individual therapy of FK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify genes shared by metabolic dysfunction‐associated fatty liver disease (MASH) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interaction genes on them. Datasets with MASH and DN were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Pearson's coefficients assessed the correlation between ECM‐receptor interaction genes and cross talk genes. The coexpression network of co‐expression pairs (CP) genes was integrated with its protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and machine learning was employed to identify essential disease‐representing genes. Finally, immuno‐penetration analysis was performed on the MASH and DN gene datasets using the CIBERSORT algorithm to evaluate the plausibility of these genes in diseases. We found 19 key CP genes. Fos proto‐oncogene (FOS), belonging to the IL‐17 signalling pathway, showed greater centrality PPI network; Hyaluronan Mediated Motility Receptor (HMMR), belonging to ECM‐receptor interaction genes, showed most critical in the co‐expression network map of 19 CP genes; Forkhead Box C1 (FOXC1), like FOS, showed a high ability to predict disease in XGBoost analysis. Further immune infiltration showed a clear positive correlation between FOS/FOXC1 and mast cells that secrete IL‐17 during inflammation. Combining the results of previous studies, we suggest a FOS/FOXC1/HMMR regulatory axis in MASH and DN may be associated with mast cells in the acting IL‐17 signalling pathway. Extracellular HMMR may regulate the IL‐17 pathway represented by FOS through the Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase 1 (ERK) or PI3K‐Akt–mTOR pathway. HMMR may serve as a signalling carrier between MASH and DN and could be targeted for therapeutic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptomyces sp. TOR3209 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. This work reports its role in alleviating cold stress in tomato plants. By comparison with the wilting untreated controls, plants receiving TOR3209 treatment grew well at the low temperature of 5°C. To better understand the molecular mechanism induced by TOR3209 under cold stress, RNA sequencing was conducted in both leaf and root tissues to screen the differentially expressed genes. Twenty-nine up-regulated genes at 5°C were classified into three functional groups, such as abscisic acid biosynthesis and stress-related metabolism in roots, and photosynthesis in leaves. The increased amounts of abscisic acid, cold stress metabolites, antioxidants in the roots and increased photosynthetic activities in the leaves were subsequently verified in the plants treated with TOR3209. Our data demonstrate that Streptomyces sp. TOR3209 plays an extra role in promoting cold tolerance of tomato plants by regulating the abscisic acid signalling pathway, stress-related metabolism and photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for infections in critically ill patients.Methods: Comparison of diagnostic performance of mNGS and conventional microbiological testing for pathogens was analyzed in 234 patients. The differences between immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals in mNGS-guided anti-infective treatment adjustment were also analyzed.Results: The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS for bacterial and fungal detection were 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.5%– 99.6%) and 83.1% (95% CI, 75.2%– 91.1%), and 85.7% (95% CI, 71.9%– 99.5%) and 93.2% (95% CI, 89.7%– 96.7%), respectively. Overall, 152 viruses were detected by mNGS, but in which 28 viruses were considered causative agents. The proportion of mNGS-guided beneficial anti-infective therapy adjustments in the immunocompromised group was greater than in the immunocompetent group (48.5% vs 30.1%; P=0.008). In addition, mNGS-guided anti-infective regimens with peripheral blood and BALF specimens had the highest proportion (39.0%; 40.0%), but the proportion of patients not helpful due to peripheral blood mNGS was also as high as 22.0%.Conclusion: mNGS might be a promising technology to provide precision medicine for critically ill patients with infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cornea is a clear connective tissue membrane at the front of the outer layer of the eyeball wall. It plays a crucial role in the refractive system of the eyeball, making it essential to maintain its transparency. Neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis in the cornea significantly impact corneal transparency and immune privilege. The growth of corneal neovascularization (CNV) and corneal lymphangiogenesis (CL) vessels is interconnected yet independent. Currently, there is a substantial amount of clinical and experimental research on CNV and CL vessels. However, due to the relatively recent focus on CL vessel research compared with CNV research, most scholars tend to concentrate on CNV, with few articles offering a comprehensive comparison and discussion of the two processes. The present review emphasizes the similarities and differences between CNV and CL and summarizes recent research progress on their correlation in animal models, growth characteristics, cytokine effects and related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies revealed that the srrX and srrA genes carried on the large linear plasmid pSLA2-L constitute a [gamma]-butyrolactone-receptor system in Streptomyces rochei. Extensive transcriptional analysis has now showed that the Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory protein gene srrY, which is also carried on pSLA2-L, is a target of the receptor/repressor SrrA and plays a central role in lankacidin and lankamycin production. The srrY gene was expressed in a growth-dependent manner, slightly preceding antibiotic production. The expression of srrY was undetectable in the srrX mutant but was restored in the srrX srrA double mutant. In addition, SrrA was bound specifically to the promoter region of srrY, and this binding was prevented by the addition of the S. rochei [gamma]-butyrolactone fraction, while the W119A mutant receptor SrrA was kept bound even in the presence of S. rochei [gamma]-butyrolactone. Furthermore, the introduction of an intact srrY gene under the control of a foreign promoter into the srrX or srrA(W119A) mutant restored antibiotic production. All of these results confirmed the signaling pathway from srrX through srrA to srrY, leading to lankacidin and lankamycin production.

The intestines are the largest barrier organ in the human body. The intestinal barrier plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the intestinal environment and protecting the intestines from harmful bacterial invasion. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology allows the detection of the different cell types in the intestine in two dimensions and the exploration of cell types that have not been fully characterized. The intestinal mucosa is highly complex in structure, and its proper functioning is linked to multiple structures in the proximal-distal intestinal and luminal-mucosal axes. Spatial localization is at the core of the efforts to explore the interactions between the complex structures. Spatial transcriptomics (ST) is a method that allows for comprehensive tissue analysis and the acquisition of spatially separated genetic information from individual cells, while preserving their spatial location and interactions. This approach also prevents the loss of fragile cells during tissue disaggregation. The emergence of ST technology allows us to spatially dissect enzymatic processes and interactions between multiple cells, genes, proteins and signals in the intestine. This includes the exchange of oxygen and nutrients in the intestine, different gradients of microbial populations and the role of extracellular matrix proteins. This regionally precise approach to tissue studies is gaining more acceptance and is increasingly applied in the investigation of disease mechanisms related to the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, this review summarized the application of ST in gastrointestinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the mechanism underlying the plant growth-promoting (PGP) effects of strain Streptomyces sp. TOR3209, PGP traits responsible for indoleacetic acid production, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization were tested by culturing the strain TOR3209 in the corresponding media. The effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by the strain TOR3209 on plant growth were observed by co-culturing this strain with tobacco seedlings in I-plates. Meanwhile, the effects of VOCs on tobacco gene expression were estimated by performing a transcriptome analysis, and VOCs were identified by the solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) method. The results showed positive reactions for the three tested PGP traits in the culture of strain TOR3209, while the tobacco seedlings co-cultured with strain TOR3209 revealed an increase in the fresh weight by up to 100% when compared to that of the control plants, demonstrating that the production VOCs was also a PGP trait. In transcriptome analysis, plants co-cultured with strain TOR3209 presented the highest up-regulated expression of the genes involved in plant growth and development processes, implying that the bacterial VOCs played a role as a regulator of plant gene expression. Among the VOCs produced by the strain TOR3209, two antifungal molecules, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol and hexanedioic acid dibutyl ester, were found as the main compounds. Conclusively, up-regulation in the expression of growth- and development-related genes via VOCs production is an important PGP mechanism in strain TOR3209. Further efforts to explore the effective VOCs and investigate the effects of the two main VOCs in the future are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is an "all-in-one" surgical method for refractive correction. An advantage of the SMILE over traditional surgery is that it depends on the corneal cap's design. This review discusses the morphological evaluation of the corneal cap, selection of the corneal cap with different thicknesses and diameters, influence of the corneal cap design on re-treatment, and management of corneal cap-related complications. The following points should be recognized to define the correct morphology and design of the operation-related parameters of the corneal cap during SMILE: (1) the thickness and diameter of the corneal cap are predictable and influence postoperative visual quality, (2) the change in the anterior surface curvature of the corneal cap should be considered in the design of the nomogram value, (3) for patients with moderate myopic correction, early visual quality is better with a 6.9-mm than with a 7.5-mm-diameter corneal cap, (4) there is no significant difference in visual quality or biomechanics among corneal caps with different thicknesses, (5) the primary corneal cap thickness plays an important role in the SMILE re-treatment, (6) a 7.78-mm diameter corneal cap has a greater risk of suction loss than a 7.60-mm diameter corneal cap, (7) if suction loss occurs when lenticular scanning exceeds 10%, then SMILE can be continued by changing the corneal cap thickness, (8) preventive collagen cross-linking with SMILE caps are 90–120 μm thick and 7–7.8 mm in diameter, and (9) properly treating SMILE-related complications ensures better postoperative results. The data presented herein shall deepen the understanding of the importance of the corneal cap during SMILE and provide diversified analysis for personalized operational design of corneal cap parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corneal neovascularization (CNV), a pathological process of angiogenesis, can lead to serious consequences in the cornea. CNV is generally proved to associate with inflammation in the cornea closely, which is mainly elicited by the disruption of equilibrium between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGFs), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are vital factors in the formation of CNV. Especially VEGFs are convinced to be the core angiogenic factors in CNV, and MMPs are proved to exert dual effects on the process. Strikingly, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) are determined to play key roles in the formation of CNV, while the mechanism is still vague. In this review, the latest researches are reviewed to discuss the role of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in CNV, respectively, and some inhibitors of them are presented. We hope to provide a new direction of drug research for CNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to evaluate the protective role and mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in hypoxic photoreceptors and experimental retinal detachment. The cellular morphology, viability, apoptosis and autophagy of hypoxic 661w cells and cells cocultured with BMSCs were analysed. In retinal detachment model, BMSCs were intraocularly transplanted, and then, the retinal morphology, outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and rhodopsin expression were studied as well as apoptosis and autophagy of the retinal cells. The hypoxia‐induced apoptosis of 661w cells obviously increased together with autophagy levels increasing and peaking at 8 hours after hypoxia. Upon coculturing with BMSCs, hypoxic 661w cells had a better morphology and fewer apoptosis. After autophagy was inhibited, the apoptotic 661w cells under the hypoxia increased, and the cell viability was reduced, even in the presence of transplanted BMSCs. In retina‐detached eyes transplanted with BMSCs, the retinal ONL thickness was closer to that of the normal retina. After transplantation, apoptosis decreased significantly and retinal autophagy was activated in the BMSC‐treated retinas. Increased autophagy in the early stage could facilitate the survival of 661w cells under hypoxic stress. Coculturing with BMSCs protects 661w cells from hypoxic damage, possibly due to autophagy activation. In retinal detachment models, BMSC transplantation can significantly reduce photoreceptor cell death and preserve retinal structure. The capacity of BMSCs to reduce retinal cell apoptosis and to initiate autophagy shortly after transplantation may facilitate the survival of retinal cells in the low‐oxygen and nutrition‐restricted milieu after retinal detachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in elderly population in the developed world. Dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) likely triggers early AMD stages. The effect of Quercetin on the early AMD in-vitro model remained unclear. Methods: The effect of Quercetin in the cell viability was detected with CCK8 methods in control, CSE treated, and CSE with Quercetin treatment group. The apoptotic status in each group was detected with tunnel assay. The oxidative and inflammation biomarkers were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE in RPE cells were measured by western blot after pretreatment of Quercetin followed by CSE treatment. Results: It was found that Quercetin could improve the cell viability and decrease cellular apoptotic rate in the CSE treated RPE group. The expressions of inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers were significantly decreased in Quercetin treatment group. Furthermore, Quercetin exerts protective effects via activation Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway in CSE treated RPE cells. Conclusions: Quercetin demonstrated significant protective effects in an in-vitro model of early AMD and it might be a new therapeutic strategy for the management of early AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]