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Background The treatment of intermediate and advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma poses significant challenges, prompting a research focus on the effective evaluation and enhancement of therapies. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with immunotherapy has exhibited potential, however, there is a need for further validation of its efficacy and the identification of biomarkers that can predict patient prognosis. Objective To explore the clinical value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in evaluating the clinical efficacy of TACE alone or combined with target immunotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 113 newly diagnosed patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were hospitalized in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to July 2022 were analyzed. According to the treatment regimen, the patients were divided into TACE group (n=66), TACE combined targeting group (n=22), and TACE combined with target immunity group (n=25). Tumor markers such as VEGF, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ) were detected before and after treatment. According to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST), patients were followed up for 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of the patients were analyzed. The median progression free survival (PFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier and the survival curve was drawn. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of serum VEGF and related combined serum tumor markers for the clinical efficacy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Results The ORRs of the TACE group, TACE combined targeting group and TACE combined target immunity group were after 12 months of follow-up were 17.14% (6/35), 33.33% (4/12), and 54.55% (6/11), respectively, and the DCRs were 28.57% (10/35), 41.67% (5/12), and 72.73% (8/11), respectively. The ORR and DCR of the TACE combined target immunity group after 12 months of treatment were significantly higher than those of the TACE group, with statistically significant differences (P

Electro-induced two-way shape memory polymer is a kind of smart material which can realize bidirectional reversible actuation under current stimulation. However, due to the limitation of materials, there are few studies on the electro-induced two-way shape memory effect. Herein, the two-way shape memory effect of a new type of semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyamide elastomer (TPAE, T12) was systematically studied. The response strain (εact) of two-way shape memory effect for T12 under constant stress and stress-free condition could reach 16.4 % and 9.7 %, respectively. The introduction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) endowed the T12 material with good conductivity, and CNTs did not significantly influence the two-way shape memory performance of T12/CNTs composite. Moreover, when the content of CNTs was 5 wt%, the surface temperature of T12/CNTs composite could reach 36 °C–90 °C at a voltage of 90 V–150 V. Then, we realized the electro-induced two-way shape memory behavior of T12/CNTs composite through the construction of bilayer SEBS/T12/CNTs actuator. Therefore, T12 material, as a new two-way shape memory TPAE, has great application potential in aerospace, soft robotics, medical and other fields.

Abstract Background People with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) commonly experience social and self-stigma. This study sought to understand the impacts of CHB-related stigma and a functional cure on stigma. Methods Adults with CHB with a wide range of age and education were recruited from 5 countries and participated in 90-minute qualitative, semi-structured interviews to explore concepts related to CHB-associated stigma and its impact. Participants answered open-ended concept-elicitation questions regarding their experience of social and self-stigma, and the potential impact of reduced CHB-related stigma. Results Sixty-three participants aged 25 to 71 years (15 from the United States and 12 each from China, Germany, Italy, and Japan) reported emotional, lifestyle, and social impacts of living with CHB, including prejudice, marginalization, and negative relationship and work experiences. Self-stigma led to low self-esteem, concealment of CHB status, and social withdrawal. Most participants stated a functional cure for hepatitis B would reduce self-stigma. Conclusions CHB-related social and self-stigma are widely prevalent and affect many aspects of life. A functional cure for hepatitis B may reduce social and self-stigma and substantially improve the health-related quality of life of people with CHB. Incorporating stigma into guidelines along with infectivity considerations may broaden the patient groups who should receive treatment.

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a foodborne pathogen with high morbidity and mortality rates, necessitating rapid detection methods. Current techniques, while reliable, are labor-intensive and not amenable to on-site testing. We report the design and synthesis of a novel imprinted upconversion fluorescence probe through Pickering emulsion polymerization for the specific detection of L. monocytogenes. The probe employs trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate and divinylbenzene as cross-linkers, acryloyl-modified chitosan as a functional monomer, and the bacterium itself as the template. The developed probe demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in detecting L. monocytogenes, with a limit of detection of 72 CFU/mL. It effectively identified the pathogen in contaminated salmon and chicken samples, with minimal background interference. The integration of molecular imprinting and upconversion fluorescence materials presents a potent and reliable approach for the rapid and specific detection of L. monocytogenes, offering considerable potential for on-site food safety testing.

As an important carrier of culture, poetry plays a significant role in deepening language learners' understanding of the target language culture as well as enhancing their language skills; however, the effect of the target language culture on language learners' enjoyment of poetry remains unclear. The study served as an attempt to shed light on the point of whether the target language culture has different effects on high- and low-level Chinese Arabic learners' fondness for Arabic poetry with the use of pictures related to Arabic culture and those not related to Arabic culture. In the current study, 40 Arabic learners (20 high-level and 20 low-level) scored the Arabic poem line based on their fondness for it after viewing two kinds of picture with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. Frontal alpha asymmetry index as a correlate of approach and avoidance related motivation measured by EEG power in the alpha band (8-13 Hz) was calculated for examining whether the behavioral results of Arabic learners' fondness for poetry are in line with the results of changes in the related EEG components. Behavioral results illustrated that low-level subjects showed significantly less liking for Arabic poetry after viewing pictures related to Arabic culture compared to those not related to Arabic culture. The high-level subjects did not show a significant difference in the level of liking for Arabic poetry between the two cases. FAA results demonstrated that low-level subjects presented a significant avoidance-related responses to Arabic poetry after viewing pictures related to Arabic culture in comparison to viewing pictures not related to Arabic culture; while the FAA values did not differ significantly between the two cases in high-level subjects, which is in line with behavioral results. The findings of this research can benefit teachers in motivating students to learn poetry in foreign language curriculum and also contribute to the literature on the effect of target language culture on language learners' enjoyment of poetry.

Abstract Background Metastasis is a key feature of malignant tumors and significantly contributes to their high mortality, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, it is imperative to explore the mechanism of tumor metastasis. Recently, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been demonstrated to promote tumor progression, while TAM-derived molecules involved in HCC metastasis warrant further investigation. Methods THP-1 was treated with IL-4 (Interleukin-4) and IL-13 (Interleukin-13) for M2 polarized macrophages. Exosomes derived from M2 macrophages were characterized. Then, HCC cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with M2 macrophages or treated with M2 macrophage-secreted exosomes. Next, Transwell®, Scratch assay, tube formation, and endothelial permeability assays were performed. Moreover, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA were used to assess mRNA and protein expression levels. Finally, the miRNA expression profiles of exosomes derived from M2 and M0 macrophages were analyzed. Results M2 macrophage infiltration was correlated with metastasis and a poor prognosis in HCC patients. M2-derived exosomes were absorbed by HCC and HUVEC cells and promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), vascular permeability, and angiogenesis. Notably, MiR-23a-3p levels were significantly higher in M2-derived exosomes and hnRNPA1 mediated miR-23a-3p packaging into exosomes. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) were the targets of miR-23a-3p, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Lastly, HCC cells co-cultured with M2-derived exosomes secreted more GM-CSF, VEGF, G-CSF, MCP-1, and IL-4, which in turn further recruited M2 macrophages. Conclusions Our findings suggest that M2 macrophage-derived miR-23a-3p enhances HCC metastasis by promoting EMT and angiogenesis, as well as increasing vascular permeability. Video Abstract

Abstract Populations of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, one of the most widely distributed apex predators in Eurasia, have been depleted mainly since the 1950s. However, a lack of information about their genomic diversity and how they are organized geographically in East Asia severely impedes our ability to monitor and conserve them in particular management units. Here, we re‐sequenced and analyzed 20 otter genomes spanning continental East Asia, including a population at Kinmen, a small island off the Fujian coast, China. The otters form three genetic clusters (one of L. l. lutra in the north and two of L. l. chinensis in the south), which have diverged in the Holocene. These three clusters should be recognized as three conservation management units to monitor and manage independently. The heterozygosity of the East Asian otters is as low as that of the threatened carnivores sequenced. Historical effective population size trajectories inferred from genomic variations suggest that their low genomic diversity could be partially attributed to changes in the climate since the mid‐Pleistocene and anthropogenic intervention since the Holocene. However, no evidence of genetic erosion, mutation load, or high level of inbreeding was detected in the presumably isolated Kinmen Island population. Any future in situ conservation efforts should consider this information for the conservation management units.

Field emission (FE) necessitates cathode materials with low work function and high thermal and electrical conductivity and stability. To meet these requirements, we developed FE cathodes based on high-quality wrinkled multilayer graphene (MLG) prepared using the bubble-assisted chemical vapor deposition (B-CVD) method and investigated their emission characteristics. The result showed that MLG cathodes prepared using the spin-coating method exhibited a high field emission current density (~7.9 mA/cm2), indicating the excellent intrinsic emission performance of the MLG. However, the weak adhesion between the MLG and the substrate led to the poor stability of the cathode. Screen printing was employed to prepare the cathode to improve stability, and the influence of a silver buffer layer was explored on the cathode’s performance. The results demonstrated that these cathodes exhibited better emission stability, and the silver buffer layer further enhanced the comprehensive field emission performance. The optimized cathode possesses low turn-on field strength (~1.5 V/μm), low threshold field strength (~2.65 V/μm), high current density (~10.5 mA/cm2), and good emission uniformity. Moreover, the cathode also exhibits excellent emission stability, with a current fluctuation of only 6.28% during a 4-h test at 1530 V.

Ribosomes are macromolecular ribonucleoprotein complexes assembled from RNA and proteins. Functional ribosomes arise from the nucleolus, require ribosomal RNA processing and the coordinated assembly of ribosomal proteins (RPs), and are frequently hyperactivated to support the requirement for protein synthesis during the self-biosynthetic and metabolic activities of cancer cells. Studies have provided relevant information on targeted anticancer molecules involved in ribosome biogenesis (RiBi), as increased RiBi is characteristic of many types of cancer. The association between unlimited cell proliferation and alterations in specific steps of RiBi has been highlighted as a possible critical driver of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Thus, alterations in numerous regulators and actors involved in RiBi, particularly in cancer, significantly affect the rate and quality of protein synthesis and, ultimately, the transcriptome to generate the associated proteome. Alterations in RiBi in cancer cells activate nucleolar stress response-related pathways that play important roles in cancer-targeted interventions and immunotherapies. In this review, we focus on the association between alterations in RiBi and cancer. Emphasis is placed on RiBi deregulation and its secondary consequences, including changes in protein synthesis, loss of RPs, adaptive transcription and translation, nucleolar stress regulation, metabolic changes, and the impaired ribosome biogenesis checkpoint.

Abstract With the development of modern tokamak devices, the magnetic interference problem has become increasingly serious. On considering the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), for example, the stray magnetic field around the tokamak device will be over 200 mT. To ensure the reliable operation of the electrical and electronic equipment installed around the tokamak, the magnetic immunity test becomes a mandatory requirement. Generally, a set of coils is employed to realize the required test field. Since the coil power loss and conductor mass are proportional to the dimension and intensity of the test field, optimization design is of great significance. This paper presents the multi‐objective optimization design of a large‐scale high‐intensity homogeneous magnetic field coil system. The analytical model of the multi‐coil system is proposed, and the constrained multi‐objective optimization model is established based on the non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm. Taking the ITER test coil as an example, the optimization design is performed and the Pareto‐front is figured out. The designed four‐coil system enables the magnetic field immunity tests for equipment within 1 m side‐length at a highest test level of 275 mT with a magnetic field inhomogeneity of 1.05. The validity of the proposed model is verified by the finite element analysis and experimental tests.

It is necessary to select an instability criterion for the material point strength reduction method (SRMPM) to solve the slope safety factor (Fs), and there are some differences in the obtained Fs values with different instability criteria. To examine the rationality and applicability of the four common instability criteria (i.e., calculation nonconvergence, displacement mutation of the feature point, transfixion of the plastic zone and the limit value), this paper uses the SRMPM to analyse the stability of two slope examples. The Fs obtained by the Spencer limit equilibrium method (LEM) is taken as a reference to further verify the rationality and accuracy of the results. The results show that ① the material point calculation is convergent, so the calculation nonconvergence cannot be used as the slope instability criterion; ② when the displacement mutation of the feature is regarded as the criterion of slope instability, the Fs is basically consistent with the LEM, so the displacement mutation of the feature point can be used as the slope instability criterion; and ③ the limit value and the transfixion of the plastic zone cannot be used alone as the slope instability criterion.

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous tumor with several rare pathological subtypes and which is still poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical spectrum of five rare HCC subtypes and develop a competing risk nomogram for cancer-specific survival prediction.MethodsThe study cohort was recruited from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The clinicopathological data of 50,218 patients histologically diagnosed with classic HCC and five rare subtypes (ICD-O-3 Histology Code = 8170/3-8175/3) between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed. The annual percent change (APC) was calculated utilizing Joinpoint regression. The nomogram was developed based on multivariable competing risk survival analyses. Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, C-index, calibration curve, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were obtained to evaluate the prognostic performance. A decision curve analysis was introduced to examine the clinical value of the models.ResultsDespite scirrhous carcinoma, which showed a decreasing trend (APC = -6.8%, P = 0.025), the morbidity of other rare subtypes remained stable from 2004 to 2018. The incidence-based mortality was plateau in all subtypes during the period. Clear cell carcinoma is the most common subtype (n = 551, 1.1%), followed by subtypes of fibrolamellar (n = 241, 0.5%), scirrhous (n = 82, 0.2%), spindle cell (n = 61, 0.1%), and pleomorphic (n = 17, ~0%). The patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma were younger and more likely to have a non-cirrhotic liver and better prognoses. Scirrhous carcinoma shared almost the same macro-clinical characteristics and outcomes as the classic HCC. Clear cell carcinoma tended to occur in the Asia-Pacific elderly male population, and more than half of them were large HCC (Size>5cm). Sarcomatoid (including spindle cell and pleomorphic) carcinoma was associated with a larger tumor size, poorer differentiation, and more dismal prognoses. The pathological subtype, T stage, M stage, surgery, alpha-fetoprotein, and cancer history were confirmed as the independent predictors in patients with rare subtypes. The nomogram showed good calibration, discrimination, and net benefits in clinical practice.ConclusionThe rare subtypes had unique clinicopathological features and biological behaviors compared with the classic HCC. Our findings could provide a valuable reference for clinicians. The constructed nomogram could predict the prognoses with good performance, which is meaningful to individualized management.

BackgroundThe evaluation of the nodal status of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a classic but controversial topic. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM), explore the role of lymph node dissection (LND), and develop and validate a novel model to predict LNM in patients with HCC, not other specified (NOS).MethodsThe study cohort was taken from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The annual percent change (APC) was calculated using the Joinpoint regression. Survival analyses adopted the competing risk model. The nomogram was constructed based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression algorithm and validated by calibration curves. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was obtained to compare prognostic performance. Decision curve and clinical impact curve analyses were introduced to examine the clinical value of the models.ResultsA total of 8,829 patients were finally enrolled in this study, and 1,346 (15.2%) patients received LND. The LND rate showed no noticeable fluctuation in the last decade, with an APC of 0.5% (P=0.593). LNM was identified in 56 (4.2%) patients and confirmed an independent prognostic factor of HCC patients (P=0.005). There were 2,497 lymph nodes retrieved, and 93 (3.7%) of them were positive. After propensity score matching, LND indicated no direct oncologic benefit and did not worsen competing risks. Moreover, an increased number of lymph nodes retrieved could not improve prognoses. 1,346 patients with LND were further randomly divided into the training and validation sets with the ratio of 1:1. Race, tumor size, clinical T stage, extrahepatic bile duct invasion, and tumor grade were independent risk factors for LNM. The constructed model was well calibrated and showed good discrimination power and net benefits in clinical practice.ConclusionLNM is an independent prognostic factor in HCC, but routine LND seems to be unnecessary in HCC patients. The constructed model could predict the presence of LNM in HCC patients with good performance, which is meaningful to patient stratification and individual treatment strategies optimization.

Coral sand particles with low strength and rich pores affect the mechanical properties and durability of their cement-based materials. This paper investigates the mechanical properties and internal pore evolution of graphene oxide-modified coral sand cement mortar under sulfate erosion environment, aiming to better understand the effect of graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of coral sand cement mortar under an erosion environment, especially in wet and dry cycles. Mechanical properties of coral sand cement mortar were tested with different amounts of graphene oxide and different erosion cycles to understand the relationship between the change of flexural and compressive strength and the content and erosion cycle. The microscopic parameters of hydration products and internal dissolution pores were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results showed that the degree of erosion performance improvement is related to the content of GO, and the two are positively correlated at first and then negatively correlated. At 0.03 wt% content, the retardation effect is the best. There were more orderly pore arrangement with less morphological complexity, when the dissolution amount of Ca(OH)2, porosity, total pore area, pore number, probability entropy, average form factor, and fractal dimension decreased. Coral sand cement mortar increases resistance to sulfate attack, which graphene oxide inhibits the formation of new dissolution pores and the expansion of original pores.

Summary: Serine/threonine kinase 39 (STK39) is overexpressed in various tumor tissues and plays an essential role in tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the clinical value, as well as the potential functions and mechanisms of STK39 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The results showed that STK39 was overexpressed in CCA and negatively associated with the prognosis of patients with CCA. Functionally, STK39 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while STK39 overexpression facilitated tumor aggressiveness. The tumor-promoting effects of STK39 in CCA were also validated by in vivo experiments. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis identified that STK39 enhanced the progression of CCA by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of STK39 could induce gemcitabine resistance in CCA cells. Moreover, the increased expression of STK39 may be mediated by the dysregulation of miR-26a-5p. In summary, STK39 could be served as a valuable prognostic candidate and a potential therapeutic target of CCA.

The Chinese Crested Tern, Thalasseus bernsteini, is one of the most endangered seabird species in the world, with only small breeding populations of around 100 individuals. To profile the genetic properties of this population, we screened 200 short tandem repeat sequences from a de novo assembled genome of the Great Crested Tern, T. bergii, which is the sister species of T. bernsteini. We designed a panel of 12 novel microsatellites, and genotyped nine and 23 individuals of T. bernsteini and T. bergii, respectively. The results showed that T. bernsteini genetic diversity was lower than that of T. bergii, and no inbreeding was detected. There was no sign of recent bottleneck events in the two species, but T. bernsteini showed signals of a post-bottleneck population expansion. Gene flow analysis indicated introgression between the two species, but the magnitude from T. bernsteini to T. bergii was higher than the opposite. This could be explained by Hubb’s principle, which states that there is a propensity of rarer species to reproduce with abundant congeners. Overall, our efforts provide useful genetic tools for conservation genetic studies of T. bernsteini and potentially other crested terns which face several natural and anthropogenic threats. The findings of this study further highlight that introgression may be a neglected factor in species conservation that needs to be seriously considered for conservation management. Availability of data and materials: The dataset of all microsatellite are available from the corresponding author upon request.

ObjectivesFeline sarcoma-related protein (FER) is known to play a critical regulatory role in several carcinomas. However, the exact biological function of FER in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still needs to be investigated. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the unknown function and molecular mechanisms of FER in HCC.Materials and MethodsThe expression level of FER in HCC tissue samples and cells was examined by RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot. Cellular and animal experiments were used to explore the effect of FER on the proliferative and metastatic capacities of HCC cells. The crosstalk between FER and NF-κB signaling was explored by western blot. The upstream factors that regulate FER were evaluated through dual-luciferase experiments and western blot assays.ResultsFER was overexpressed in HCC specimens and HCC cell lines. FER expression levels were positively associated with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics. The higher the expression of FER was, the worse the overall survival of HCC patients was. The results of loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments indicated that knockdown of FER decreased, while overexpression of FER increased, the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that FER activated the NF-κB signaling pathway and stimulated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We also found that FER was directly regulated by miR-206, and the downregulation of miR-206 was associated with proliferation and metastatic progression in HCC.ConclusionsThe present research was the first to reveal that a decrease in miR-206 levels results in an increase in FER expression in HCC, leading to enhanced cell growth and metastatic abilities via activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is an important traditional cereal crop in dryland ecological agriculture in China and is widely grown in India, the United States, and Nigeria. It is of significance to understand the variety–location–fertilizer (V–L–F) interaction for highly efficient production. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted with six varieties in five locations, and data were analyzed by combined ANOVA analysis, redundancy analysis (RDA), and additive main multiplicative interaction (AMMI). The results showed that the mean sum of squares was significantly different among years, locations, varieties, fertilizations, and their interactions, except for Y–V and V–F interactions. The contributions of various factors to yield variation varied, location was the largest contributor (38.7%), followed by year (33.6%), and variety and fertilizer contributed 7.1% and 3.2%, respectively. JI25 was widely adapted, and its yield was stable and higher than that of others over diverse environments in two years. The RDA results showed that two principal components explained more than 66.1% of the yield variance, while more than 63.0% of the variances were clustered in the first factor. Excessive single rainfall or total rainfall and air temperature (especially minimum temperature) were significantly associated with the millet yield. The results offered an important reference for variety layout, natural resource potential mining, and formulation of efficient green cultural practices.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) growth was inhibited because of waterlogging stress, which has caused yield reduction. ERF family plays an important role to plant adversity tolerance. In our study, we obtained 19,819 differential expressed genes (DEGs) between the two treatments based on the RNA-seq sequencing of foxtail millet of waterlogging stress. Furthermore, a total of 28 ERF family members were obtained, which have a complete open reading frame. We studied the evolution and function of SiERF family and how they affected the waterlogging tolerance. It was found that SiERF1A/B/C (GenBank ID: OR775217, OR775219, OR775218) and SiRAP2-12 (GenBank ID: OR775216) have similar functions to the known waterlogging tolerance genes of other plants. Among them, the SiRAP2-12 expression was obviously significantly up-regulated in foxtail millet after 5d waterlogging stress. After SiRAP2-12 was silenced, the activity of defense enzymes in millet decreased significantly. In details, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), the osmotic regulator proline (Pro), and the activity of the anaerobic respiratory enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) content were decreased by 78.61%, 29.52%, 79.95%, 19.41% and 54.77%, respectively. In contrast, the relative electrical conductivity contents (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of the foxtail millet subjected to virus-induced gene silencing clearly increased by 1.03-fold, 36.09%, and 15.21%, respectively. The content of sodium (Na+) in the SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet also increased, but that of potassium (K+) decreased. Interestingly, we found that ethylene content was significantly reduced. Further, the SiAOC1 expression, an essential gene for ethylene synthesis, was inhibited in SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet after waterlogging stress. Taken together, we hypothesized that SiRAP2-12 might be a positive regulator of millet tolerance to waterlogging stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]