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ZNF468 is a relatively unexplored gene that has been implicated in potential oncogenic properties in various cancer types. However, the exact role of ZNF468 in radiotherapy resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) is not well understood. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using the TCGA database to assess ZNF468 expression and prognostic significance in pan-cancer and ESCC. Functional experiments were conducted using ZNF468 overexpressing and knockdown cell lines to assess its impact on cell survival, DNA damage response, cell cycle, and apoptosis upon radiation. A luciferase reporter assay was utilized to validate ZNF468 binding to the AURKA promoter. ZNF468 was significantly upregulated in diverse cancer types, including ESCC, and its high expression correlated with adverse prognosis in specific tumors. In the ESCC cohort, ZNF468 exhibited substantial upregulation in post-radiotherapy tissues, indicating its potential role in conferring radiotherapy resistance. Functional experiments revealed that ZNF468 enhances cell viability and facilitates DNA damage repair in radiotherapy-treated ESCC cells, while dampening the G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by radiation. Moreover, ZNF468 facilitated AURKA transcription, resulting in upregulated Aurora A expression, and subsequently inhibited P53 expression, unveiling key molecular mechanisms underlying radiotherapy resistance in ESCC. Conclusion : ZNF468 plays an oncogenic role in ESCC and contributes to radiotherapy resistance. It enhances cell survival while dampening radiation-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. By modulating AURKA and P53 expression, ZNF468 represents a promising therapeutic target for enhancing radiotherapy efficacy in ESCC. • ZNF468 demonstrates significantly elevated expression at the pan-cancer level. • Elevated ZNF468 expression in radiotherapy-resistant esophageal cancer is associated with cell cycle regulation. • ZNF468 enhances the cell proliferation and DNA damage repair in radiotherapy-induced ESCC cell lines. • ZNF468 attenuated the radiation-induced G2M cell cycle arrest and reduced apoptosis in ESCC cells. • ZNF468 promotes AURORA transcription, thereby inhibiting P53 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fig trees (Ficus spp.) are popular ornamental trees that are entirely dependent on a mutalistic association with host-specific pollinating fig wasps for reproduction. They can become naturalized and invasive in countries where the associated pollinator is also established. Figs (syconia) are also also utilized by a diverse community of organisms that are potentially detrimental to the pollinators or seed production. Ficus benjamina is a widely-planted fig tree with the ability to establish outside its native range. We examined the impact of an undescribed gall midge species associated with F. benjamina within the plant’s natural range in Xishuangbanna, south-western China. Observations on the levels of abundance of the midge together with fig abortion and seed germination rates showed that the gall midge had a strong negative effect on reproduction. The gall midge reduced pollinator survival and at high densities eliminated all pollinators, due primarily to premature abortion of figs. Seed numbers were only reduced at high gall midge densities, but seed quality, as measured by germination success and root growth rates, was greatly reduced whenever the gall midge was present. Within its presumed natural range the gall midge appears to be host specific, and given its dramatic impact on host reproductive success, is a potential candidate for the biological control of F. benjamina. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Herein, the physical migration and chemical conversion of phytosterols during the alkali neutralisation process of corn oil were investigated with molecular insights. A significant decrease in the phytosterol content was attributed to the migration from oil to the soapstock, along with slight chemical conversions between free phytosterols and phytosteryl esters in the heterogeneous system. Moreover, the migration of phytosterols was positively correlated with the water content in a model system through low-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which was attributed to the hydrogen bonding between free phytosterols and water. Compared to sodium oleate and sodium linoleate, sodium palmitate caused a higher loss of phytosterols due to its low solubility. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of a bilayer structure of the sodium salt of fatty acids, suggesting the aggregation of the sodium salt of fatty acids and phytosterols at neutralisation temperatures. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis suggested that the concentration of the NaOH solution affected the structure of sodium oleate and the area of the polar head base, which was associated with the loss of free phytosterols. The study presents an important fundamental scientific basis for the retention of phytosterols toward the development of more healthy and nutritious edible oils. [Display omitted] ● Migration and conversions of phytosterols occurred during the neutralisation. ● Free phytosterols were mainly lost in the solid phase of soapstock. ● Free fatty acids influenced the phytosterol loss. ● Bilayer structure of sodium fatty acid with phytosterols was affected by water. ● Slight conversions between phytosterols were affected by NaOH concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a limiting factor affecting the purification efficiency of subsurface flow (SSF) constructed wetlands (CWs). To clarify the causes of oxygen environments and the response characteristics of plant oxygen release (POR) in SSF CWs, this study set three oxygen source treatments by limiting atmospheric reaeration (AR) and influent oxygen (IO) and compared the differences in plant physiological metabolism, DO distribution characteristics, and the purification effect of the SSF CWs at different depths. The results showed that limiting exogenous oxygen stimulated root redundancy of the wetland plants. The root volume and proportion of fibrous roots of the wetland plants increased significantly (p < 0.05). When only the POR existed, the root zone DO increased significantly to 2.05–4.37 mg/L (p < 0.05), and was positively correlated with the TN and TP removal rates (p < 0.05). Additionally, in the presence of POR only, the average removal rates of TN and TP in the top layer were 86.5% and 76.9%, respectively. The proportion of fibrous roots, root zone DO, and root-shoot ratio were key factors promoting the purification effect of the SSF CWs under limited exogenous oxygen sources. Enhancing POR by inducing root redundancy enhanced nitrification (hao , pmoABC-amoABC), plant absorption, and assimilation-related functional genes (nrtABC , nifKDH), and enriched nitrogen and phosphorus removal bacteria, such as Flavobacterium and Zoogloea. This consequently improved pollutant removal efficiency. Inducing root redundancy to strengthen POR produced an aerobic environment in the SSF CWs. This ensures the efficient and stable operation of the SSF CW and is an effective approach for natural oxygenation. [Display omitted] • Exogenous oxygen limitation increased the root-shoot ratio by 1.12–6.18 times. • When only POR, rootzone DO of SSF CWs increased significantly to 2.05–4.37 mg/L. • Root redundancy make directional selection for rhizosphere microorganisms. • Oxygen release from redundant roots can create aerobic environment of SSF CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] CO 2 electrochemical reduction is a sustainable approach to achieve chemical fixation of CO 2 and storage of renewable energy. However, the catalyst which has the ability of mediating CO 2 to a single product with a relatively high current density is highly demand. Herein, we reported a metallic nitrogen-carbon catalyst based on two kinds of metal phthalocyanines by a facile synthesis method. The synergistic effect of Cu and Ni and the active sites of nickel oxide/copper nanocluster endow the catalyst excellent performance towards CO 2 -into-CO electroreduction. Typically, the Cu-Ni bimetallic catalyst achieves high selectivity (85.2 %) at positive potential (−0.72 V RHE), with the stability of current density and product selectivity beyond 72 h. The volume ratio of CO/H 2 can be effectively tuned (from 2:1, 1:1 to 1:2) by controlling the electrolysis potential, which is promising for synthesis gas in the Fischer-Tropsch reactions and methanol synthesis. Furthermore, the advantages are further amplified by applying it to zero-gap membrane flow reactor, which can enhance the selectivity over 90 % at a broad potential range (−2.5 ∼ −2.7 V) and achieve an current density of 9-fold of H-type cell. Our work proves a way for optimizing the CO 2 electrocatalyst and electrolyzers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depth of the substrate of subsurface flow (SSF) constructed wetlands (CWs) is closely related to their cost and operation stability. To explore the physiological regulation mechanism of wetland plants and pollutant removal potential of SSF CWs under "vertical spatial stress of roots" (by greatly reducing the depth of the substrate in SSF CWs to limit the vertical growth space of roots, VSSR), the physiological response and wetland purification effect of a 0.1 m Canna indica L. CW under VSSR were studied compared with conventional SSF CWs (0.6 m, 1.2 m). The results demonstrated that VSSR significantly enhanced the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration (p < 0.05) within the SSF CWs, with the DO in 0.1 m CW remaining stable at over 3 mg/L. Under the same hydraulic retention time (HRT), VSSR significantly improved the removal effect of pollutants (p < 0.05). The removal rates of COD, NH 4 +-N, and total phosphorus (TP) remained above 87%, and the mean removal rates of total nitrogen (TN) reached 91.71%. VSSR promoted the morphological adaptation mechanisms of plants, such as significantly increased root-shoot ratio (p < 0.05), changed biomass allocation. Plants could maintain the stability of the photosynthetic mechanism by changing the distribution of light energy. The results of microbial community function prediction demonstrated that aerobic denitrification was the main mechanism of N transformation in the 0.1 m CW under VSSR. VSSR could induce the high root activity of plants, augment the concentration of root exudates, enhance the redox environment of the plant rhizosphere, further foster the enrichment of aerobic denitrifying bacteria, and strengthen the absorption efficiency of wetland plants and substrate, thus achieving an efficient pollutant removal capacity. Studies showed that VSSR was an effective means to enhance the rhizosphere effect of plants and pollutant removal in SSF CWs. [Display omitted] • Plants change growth allocation strategy to adapt to VSSR in SSF CWs. • VSSR significantly improves oxygen enrichment environment of SSF CWs. • VSSR enables plants to make directional selection for rhizosphere microorganisms. • VSSR is an effective means to enhance plant rhizosphere effect in SSF CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scopolia lurida , a medicinal plant native to the Tibetan Plateau, is among the most effective producers of pharmaceutical tropane alkaloids (TAs). The hyoscyamine 6β-hydroxylase genes of Hyoscyamus niger ( HnH6H ) and S. lurida ( SlH6H ) were cloned and respectively overexpressed in hairy root cultures of S. lurida , to compare their effects on promoting the production of TAs, especially the high-value scopolamine. Root cultures with SlH6H / HnH6H overexpression were confirmed by PCR and real-time quantitative PCR, suggesting that the enzymatic steps defined by H6H were strongly elevated at the transcriptional level. Tropane alkaloids, including hyoscyamine, anisodamine and scopolamine, were analyzed by HPLC. Scopolamine and anisodamine contents were remarkably elevated in the root cultures overexpressing SlH6H / HnH6H , whereas that of hyoscyamine was more or less reduced, when compared with those of the control. These results also indicated that SlH6H and HnH6H promoted anisodamine production at similar levels in S. lurida root cultures. More importantly, HnH6H -overexpressing root cultures had more scopolamine in them that did SlH6H -overexpressing root cultures. This study not only provides a feasible way of overexpressing H6H to produce high-value scopolamine in engineered root cultures of S. lurida but also found that HnH6H was better than SlH6H for engineering scopolamine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the most severe forms of abiotic stresses that threaten the survival of plants, including crops. In turn, plants dramatically change their physiology to increase drought tolerance, including reconfiguration of proteomes. Here, we studied drought-induced proteomic changes in leaves of cultivated tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ), a solanaceous plant, using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based protein labeling technology. Of identified 5570 proteins totally, drought treatment increased and decreased abundance of 260 and 206 proteins, respectively, compared with control condition. Most of these differentially regulated proteins are involved in photosynthesis, metabolism, and stress and defense. Although abscisic acid (ABA) levels greatly increased in drought-treated tobacco leaves, abundance of detected ABA biosynthetic enzymes showed no obvious changes. In contrast, heat shock proteins (HSPs), thioredoxins, ascorbate-, glutathione-, and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-related proteins were up- or down-regulated in drought-treated tobacco leaves, suggesting that chaperones and redox signaling are important for tobacco tolerance to drought, and it is likely that redox-induced posttranslational modifications play an important role in modulating protein activity. This study not only provides a comprehensive dataset on overall protein changes in drought-treated tobacco leaves, but also shed light on the mechanism by which solanaceous plants adapt to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]