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In this experiment, we used different doses of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), 2,4-epibrassionolide (EBR), and their combination to treat fresh daylily and conducted a 15-day storage experiment at ‒1 to 1 ℃. By measuring physicochemical indicators and conducting transcriptomic analysis, the effects of 1-MCP and/or EBR on the postharvest senescence of fresh daylily were studied. The results indicated that combined treatment with 1 μL/L 1-MCP and 1 mg/L EBR after harvest was more effective in delaying adverse changes, such as yellowing, elongation, softening, dispersal, mass loss, and chlorophyll degradation, thereby greatly maintaining the storage quality of fresh daylily. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the combined treatment regulated the transcription levels of senescence-related genes in daylily; significantly inhibiting the transcription of genes related to the ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways while activating the transcription of genes related to the brassinolide biosynthesis signal transduction pathway, therefore altering the metabolic balance of growth and senescence hormone levels in daylily. The combined treatment inhibited the transcription of genes related to the chlorophyll degradation pathway, which was beneficial for maintaining the quality of fresh daylily. Additionally, the combined treatment inhibited the transcription of E3 ubiquitin ligase genes closely related to senescence, thereby delaying protein degradation and postponing the physiological process of postharvest senescence in fresh daylily. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for delaying the postharvest senescence and maintaining the storage quality of fresh daylily flower buds.

Background: The application value of myocardial work (MW) in evaluating myocardial function and predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients has not been fully explored. Purpose: Comparing noninvasive MW parameters between MHD patients and healthy controls, and further determining its value in predicting MACE in MHD patients. Methods: A prospective single‐institution study included 92 MHD patients without prior cardiovascular disease and 40 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Conventional echocardiographic data, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and MW parameters (global work index [GWI], global constructive work [GCW], global work efficiency [GWE], global wasted work [GWW]) were derived and compared between MHD and the control. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive value of these parameters for MACE. The receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to compare the predictive differences of MACE between GWE and GLS. Results: Compared with healthy individuals, MHD patients had significantly reduced GWE, GLS and elevated LVMI, GWW (all p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction. Twenty eight (30%) MHD patients experienced MACE. Two nested models adding GWE and GLS, respectively, showed that age (p < 0.005), GWE (p = 0.034), and GLS (p = 0.014) were independent predictors of MACE. The AUC derived from GWE for predicting MACE was significantly higher than that derived from GLS (0.836 vs. 0.743, p = 0.039). Conclusions: Myocardial work is a novel tool for assessing left ventricular myocardial performance in MHD patients. GWE is an independent predictor of MACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Hemodialysis-induced myocardial stunning (HIMS) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction due to ischemic episodes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and fluctuations in key ions such as potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) are implicated in the pathogenesis of HIMS. This study aims to investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and the protective potential of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mitoKATP) in mitigating HIMS. Methods: A 5/6 nephrectomy rat model was established to mimic chronic kidney disease and the subsequent HIMS. The effects of mitoKATP channel modulators were evaluated by administering diazoxide (DZX), a mitoKATP opener, and 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a mitoKATP blocker, before hemodialysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring membrane potential, ATP synthase activity, and intramitochondrial Ca2+ levels. Myocardial function was evaluated using speckle tracking echocardiography. Results: Rats undergoing hemodialysis exhibited significant reductions in left ventricular strain and synchrony. DZX administration significantly improved mitochondrial function and reduced myocardial strain compared to controls. Conversely, 5-HD worsened mitochondrial swelling and disrupted myocardial function. Higher K+ and Ca2+ concentrations in the dialysate were associated with improved mitochondrial energy metabolism and myocardial strain. Conclusions: Mitochondrial dysfunction and ion imbalances during hemodialysis are key contributors to HIMS. The activation of mitoKATP channels provides mitochondrial protection and may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate HIMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragon fruits have abundant nutritional and antioxidant properties. High temperatures limit the growth and production of dragon fruits. Hemin can effectively alleviate abiotic stress in plants. However, the regulatory effect of Hemin on dragon fruit under heat stress remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impacts of foliar application of Hemin on dragon fruit size, yield and quality during the high temperatures of the summer season. In this experiment, dragon fruit variety 'Jindu No. 1' was used as material and treated with three Hemin concentrations, i.e., H1: 1 μmol.L−1, H2: 10 μmol.L−1, H3: 100 μmol.L−1, compared with CK: control. The results show that exogenous Hemin increased the single fruit weight, yield, fruit shape index and edible rate. It also improved pericarp L* value, a* value, C* and decreased ho, improving the peel colour; exogenous Hemin enhanced soluble solids content and phenolic compounds content and antioxidant enzyme activities in the pulp of dragon fruit. In addition, exogenous Hemin increased the content of chlorophyll content in dragon fruit stems. Differential metabolites determined by metabolomic assay also indicated that Hemin significantly increased the content of active substances such as selagin. Additionally, the Hemin treatment H2 also activated the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), which helps to mitigate the effects of high temperatures on dragon fruit. The current findings strongly advocate that H2 treatment may effectively counteract the adverse effects of heat stress by regulating the morph-physiological and antioxidant traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet corn was highly susceptible to senescence due to its elevated physiological metabolism after harvest, resulting in a decline in its edible quality. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a cold storage insulation packaging box on the quality attributes of postharvest sweet corn (cv. 'Jinguan 218') during a simulated cold chain transportation period of 3 d and subsequent shelf life at room temperature (20 °C) for 1 d. The control group involved cold storage at 4 °C to mimic refrigerated truck transportation. The results showed that the internal temperature of sweet corn packed in the cold storage insulation packaging box remained below 7 °C throughout the 3 d period. In comparison to the control group, the cold storage insulation packaging box effectively maintained the quality of sweet corn during cold chain transportation and shelf life, and delayed husk discoloration. The mass loss rate of sweet corn was reduced by 72.66% after 3 d of cold chain distribution using the packaging box, the soluble solid content was increased by 4.97%, and soluble sugar content was enhanced by 10.13%. Meanwhile, the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in sweet corn packaged with the cold storage insulation packaging box were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in the control group, although the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was inhibited by cold storage insulation packaging box. Therefore, the cold storage insulation packaging box demonstrated its ability to maintain the quality of sweet corn throughout cold chain logistics and shelf life. This work provides a technical basis for the preservation of sweet corn through cold storage packaging during post-harvest logistics and transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable plastics are considered as an alternative to commodity non-biodegradable plastics, but they still degrade slowly in the environment. Current strategies to promote their degradation rates often compromise their utility. Here, we enhance the degradation properties of poly(butylene terephthalate/adipate) (PBAT) by embedding an esterase mimic inside the polyester without compromising its processing and mechanical properties. This esterase mimic contains a binuclear zinc site and catalyzes the depolymerization of PBAT with a turnover frequency (TOF) an order of magnitude higher than that of conventional additives (ZnO). With 1 wt% of this enzyme mimic embedded, PBAT exhibits a 3.7-fold enhancement of the degradation rate under composting conditions. Mechanistic investigation indicates that the binuclear zinc binding center polarizes the ester carbonyl group and increases hydroxide uptake, thus leading to faster degradation. This work provides a possible approach to designing polymers that meet requirements of stability during use and fast degradation after use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis, a common disease, is considered to be closely associated with many systemic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the basic pathological change of cardiovascular disease, and recent evidence has indicated that periodontitis promotes the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. This article reviews the roles of periodontitis in accelerating atherosclerosis and highlights the involved mechanisms to provide new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the anti‐osteoclastogenic potential of ginsenoside Rb3 for the treatment of periodontitis. Methods: The anti‐osteoclastogenic effect was determined using RANKL‐induced RAW264.7 cells and murine bone marrow‐derived macrophages followed by TRAP and phalloidin staining. Expression of osteoclastogenesis‐related genes and proteins were examined by qPCR and WB. Activation of signaling pathways was detected by WB and IHC techniques. Experimental periodontitis rat model was built up by gingival injections of P. gingivalis LPS. After 21 days of Rb3 treatment, rats were sacrificed for micro‐CT, IHC, H&E, and TRAP staining analyses. Results: Rb3 dramatically inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis. Nfatc1, Mmp9, Ctsk, Acp5 mRNA, and MMP9, CTSK proteins were dose‐dependently downregulated by Rb3 pretreatment. WB results revealed that Rb3 suppressed activations of p38 MAPK, ERK, and p65 NF‐κB, and the inhibition of ERK was most pronounced. Consistently, IHC analysis revealed that p‐ERK was highly expressed in alveolar bone surface, blood vessels, odontoblasts, and gingival epithelia, which were notably suppressed by Rb3 treatment. H&E staining and micro‐CT analyses showed that Rb3 significantly attenuated gingivitis and alveolar bone resorption in rats. Conclusion: Rb3 inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis and attenuates P. gingivalis LPS‐induced gingivitis and alveolar bone resorption in rats via ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]