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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders that poses a global threat to human health. It can lead to complications in multiple organs and tissues, owing to its wide-ranging impact on the human body. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a specific cardiac manifestation of DM, which is characterized by heart failure in the absence of coronary heart disease, hypertension and valvular heart disease. Given that oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of DCM, intervening to mitigate oxidative stress may serve as a therapeutic strategy for managing DCM. Naringenin is a natural product with anti-oxidative stress properties that can suppress oxidative damage by regulating various oxidative stress signaling pathways. In this review, we address the relationship between oxidative stress and its primary signaling pathways implicated in DCM, and explores the therapeutic potential of naringenin in DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with an increased risk of death, but its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been implicated in various biological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the key circRNAs related to RA. A microarray assay was used to identify the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with RA compared to patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls. Then, quantitative real-time PCR was applied to verify the DEcircRNAs, and correlations between the levels of DEcircRNAs and laboratory indices were analysed. We also performed extensive bioinformatic analyses including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway and potential circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network analyses to predict the function of these DEcircRNAs. A total of 35,342 and 6146 DEcircRNAs were detected in RA patients compared to controls and OA patients, respectively. Nine out of the DEcircRNAs in RA were validated by real-time PCR. There were correlations between the levels of DEcircRNAs and some of the laboratory indices. GO analyses revealed that these DEcircRNAs in RA were closely related to cellular protein metabolic processes, gene expression, the immune system, cell cycle, posttranslational protein modification and collagen formation. Functional annotation of host genes of these DEcircRNAs was implicated in several significantly enriched pathways, including metabolic pathways, ECM–receptor interaction, the PI3K–Akt signalling pathway, the AMPK signalling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, platelet activation and the cAMP signalling pathway, which might be responsible for the pathophysiology of RA. The findings of this study may help to elucidate the role of circRNAs in the specific mechanism underlying RA. Microarray assays showed that a total of 35,342 and 6146 DEcircRNAs were detected in RA patients compared to controls and OA patients, respectively. Nine out of the DEcircRNAs in RA were validated by real-time PCR, and the levels of the DEcircRNAs were related to some of the laboratory indices. GO analyses revealed that the DEcircRNAs in RA were closely related to cellular protein metabolic processes, gene expression, the immune system, etc. Functional annotation of host genes of the DEcircRNAs in RA was implicated in several significantly enriched pathways, including metabolic pathways, ECM–receptor interaction, the PI3K–Akt signalling pathway, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salix lindleyana Wallich ex Andersson 1851 is a species of genus Salix which mainly grows on mountains above 3000 m at sea level in Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (including the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains). To determine its phylogenetic position within Salix, we reconstructed S. lindleyana complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence by de novo assembly using whole-genome sequencing data. The completed chloroplast genome was 155,304 bp, with a total GC content of 36.7%. It had a very typical tetrad structure, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,539 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 16,161 bp, and two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 27,302 bp. A total of 132 functional genes were distributed in the chloroplast genome, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that S. lindleyana was clustered with Salix dasyclados Wimmer 1849 and Salix variegata Franchet 1887. The complete chloroplast genome of S. lindleyana provides potential genetic resources for further phylogenetic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of elevated CO2 concentration on photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in leaves of Calamagrostis angustifolia seedlings under drought stress were studied through control of different CO2 concentrations (370 and 700 μmol·mol−1) with an artificial OTC climate chamber. The results demonstrated that: Under non-drought conditions, although the stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased slightly as the CO2 concentration increased, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased significantly, resulting in a significant increase in leaf water use efficiency (WUE). However, the effect of elevated CO2 concentration on PSII reaction center activity was insignificant under non drought conditions. Under severe drought stress, the amount of active reaction centers per unit area and the proportion of PSII absorbed light energy for photosynthetic electron transfer increased, while the proportion of PSII absorbed light energy for heat dissipation decreased, providing energy guarantee for effective fixation of CO2 as dark reaction. In conclusion, elevated CO2 concentration could improve the water use efficiency of C. angustifolia seedlings under normal water and drought stress, and the elevated CO2 concentration could improve the drought resistance ability of C. angustifolia seedlings through PSII function improvement under severe drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a dataset of listed non-state-owned enterprises in China, we show that politically connected firms have a greater difficulty in obtaining trade credit than non-connected firms. This credit discrimination against politically connected firms strengthens when firms locate in regions with lower-quality legal systems or suppliers have greater bargaining power. Further analysis suggests that the lower credit reputation of politically connected firms stems from suppliers' concern about contract enforceability, that is, politically connected firms receive regulatory favours from government, which can create obstacles to the collection of trade credit through the legal system. Our study contributes to the existing literature by investigating the impact of political connections on informal financing activities, and by revealing the asymmetric influence of political connections on formal and non-formal financing channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the coordinated development of various circulation entities and promote the economic benefits of the value chain, this paper firstly analyses the value-added mechanism of agricultural products circulation value chain from five aspects: primary processing creates form utility, cross regional transportation creates location utility, storage supply creates time utility, market division creates acquisition utility and brand creation creates perceptual utility. Secondly, the paper analyses the diversification problems of agricultural products value chain organisations. Finally, based on the perspective of price, subject interest and industry chain operation, three optimisation methods of organisation mode are proposed, which are integrated price monopoly, subject interest coordination and mixed vertical industrial chain operation. The outcome of this effort in the traditional organisation mode is incessantly well-improved, upgraded and promote this implementation to enhance the productivity of agricultural products towards rural circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress led to a decrease in PSII photochemical activity in tobacco leaves and the blockage of electron transfer, especially from QA to QB on PSII acceptor side. In addition, drought stress caused a dramatic increase in H2O2 and MDA contents. However, the overexpression of 2-Cys Prx significantly reduced the H2O2 accumulation in tobacco seedlings and alleviated the degree of oxidative damage under drought stress. It also improved stomatal limitation and net photosynthetic rate of tobacco seedlings and reduced its PSII photoinhibition under drought stress which promoted the ability of PSII electron transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although titanium implants account for a large proportion of the commercial dental market, their bioactivity are inadequate in many applications. A micro- and nano- scale hierarchical surface topography of the implant is suggested for rapid osseointegration from the biomimetic perspective. Moreover, Zinc (Zn) is an essential element in the skeletal system. Thus, a micro/nanostructured TiO2/ZnO coating, produced by micro-arc oxidation, and hydrothermal treatment, and heat treatment, was designed to endow the implant surface with enhanced osteogenic capacity. Physiochemical properties and biological effects of this coating were investigated in our study. The annealed micro/nanostructured TiO2/ZnO coating exhibited higher hydrophilicity and fibronectin adsorption ability compared to the micro-arc oxidation modified TiO2 coating. SaOS-2 cells grown on the annealed micro/nanostructured TiO2/ZnO coating showed increased alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen secretion, and immunofluorescence labeling revealed an upregulation of osteopontin, collagen type ι and osteocalcin. The micro/nanostructure and incorporation of Zn were considered to perform positive effect on the enhanced osteogenic activity of SaOS-2 cells. In conclusion, the micro/nanostructured TiO2/ZnO structure is simple, stable, and easy to produce and scale up, has promising applications in the surface modification of titanium implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of different CO2 concentrations (400 and 800 μmol·mol−1) on photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of mulberry (Morus alba L.) seedling leaves under drought stress were studied using an artificial climate chamber. The results showed that under non-drought conditions, the stomatal concentrations (Gs) and transpiratration rate (Tr) of mulberry seedling leaves decreased slightly with increased CO2 concentrations, but the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased significantly. Under mild drought stress (5 days of drought), higher CO2 concentrations significantly affected the photosynthetic gas exchange of mulberry seedling leaves, but had little effect on chlorophyll fluorescence. Under severe drought stress (10 das of drought), increased CO2 concentrations not only alleviated drought stress by increasing the WUE of mulberry seedling leaves, but also significantly increased its PSII photochemical activity, which promoted electron transfer on the PSII acceptor side. In conclusion, increased CO2 concentrations could raise the WUE of mulberry seedling leaves under normal water conditions and drought stress, and this effect was more significant under drought stress. Under severe drought stress, increased CO2 concentrations improved the drought resistance of mulberry seedlings by improving their PSII function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum variety Longza 17 was used as the experimental organism in a study of the effects of different types of sodium salt (two neutral salts, NaCl and Na2SO4; and two alkaline salts, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3), at an equivalent Na+ concentration (100 mmol·L−1) on leaf growth parameters and PSII and PSI function by using the Fast Chlorophyll Fluorescence Induction Dynamics technique and 820 nm light reflectance curves. The results showed that at Na+ concentration of 100 mmol·L−1, different types of sodium salt stress significantly inhibited the growth of sorghum plants. Different types of sodium salt stress showed significant inhibition on the activities of PSII and PSI in sorghum leaves, the impact of different types of sodium salt on the activities of PSII and PSI in sorghum leaves was consistent, listed from greatest to least impact as Na2CO3 > NaHCO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl. The effects of alkaline salt stress on the growth and photosynthetic properties of sorghum were greater than those under the neutral salt stress, therefore, in addition to considering the impact of Na+ concentration in the sorghum planting area, emphasis should also be given to the influence of the degree of alkalization, especially the higher alkalinity of Na2CO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) was first determined in this study. The mitogenome is 17,880 bp in size and composed of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. The overall nucleotide composition is 30.11% of A, 13.66% of G, 25.11% of T, and 31.13% of C. The mitochondrial structure and gene order were similar to other Columbidae species. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that G. cuneata was placed as sister to G. striata of the same genus. The data could provide valuable information for further studies on conservation genetics and evolution of G. cuneata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitogenome of a lorikeet, Trichoglossus rubritorquis (Psittaciformes, Loriidae), was determined first in the genus Trichoglossus. The assembled mitogenome was 17,915 bp and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs and two control regions. Nucleotide composition of T. rubritorquis mitogenome was 30.20% A, 33.30% C, 14.04% G, and 22.46% T, with an A + T bias of 52.66%. ML tree based on 13 protein-coding genes indicated that, Melopsittacus undulatus of the family Psittacidae was the closest related species to T. rubritorquis. This result suggested that lorikeets might still be in the family Psittacidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first complete mitogenome of Hong Kong paradise fish (Macropodus hongkongensis) was determined in this study. The assembled mitogenome is 16,494 bp and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region. Nucleotide composition of the complete mitogenome is 30.6% A, 24.8% C, 14.8% G, and 29.8% T, with an A + T bias of 60.4%. The maximum-likelihood tree based on 13 protein-coding genes showed that M. erythropterus was the closest related species to M. hongkongensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we characterized the complete mitogenomes of Aratinga solstitialis, Pionites leucogaster, and Poicephalus senegalus through Sanger sequencing method. The full lengths of the three mitogenomes are 16,986 bp, 18,858 bp, and 18,022 bp, respectively. All genes exhibit original gene arrangement in A. solstitialis mitogenome, but gene rearrangements occur in P. leucogaster and P. senegalus mitogenomes. Bayesian tree indicated that the three parrots were not closely related to each other. The results obtained here can contribute to phylogenetic analysis and biological conservation of parrots further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]