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Abstract: Different from extensively reported carbon nanotubes‐polyamide (PA) composite membranes, this work reports the scalable, low‐cost manufacturing of metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes network supported PA reverse osmotic desalination membranes. Metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) separated from high‐pressure carbon monoxide conversion (HiPCO) SWCNTs with a diameter ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 nm are deposited on polyethersulfone (PES) films by replacing surfactants around SWCNTs dispersed in aqueous solution, for supporting uniform and smooth sub‐10 nm PA nanofilm formed through aqueous‐organic bilayer interfacial polymerization. The industrial scale manufactured PA/SWCNTs/PES desalination membranes (508 mm × 915 mm) are rolled into spiral wound elements without damage through cutting, gluing, and rolling. The desalination tests on flat PA/SWCNTs/PES membranes exhibits 30 l m−2 h−1 (LMH) under 17.2 bar with 98.45% salt injection when fed with 2000 ppm NaCl at pH = 9. The normalized permeate flux of PA/SWCNTs/PES spiral wound elements is ≈17 LMH under 13.8 bar with 90% salt injection underfed with 2000 ppm MgSO4 at pH = 9–11 condition. The high‐performance sub‐10 nm smooth PA/SWCNTs/PES desalination membranes are fabricated with materials savings and can promote low operation costs compared to conventional 50–100 nm crumpled PA films on any supporting substrates.

This paper first analyzes and researches the current practice status of digital transformation of Chinese agricultural production from production, credit, and management aspects. Then, it analyzes the measurement of agricultural production efficiency and the factors influencing agricultural production efficiency in the context of digital transformation by using DEA measurement tools. The impact of digitalization level enhancement on rural economic structure is also analyzed and explained from the perspective of technological progress bias through spatial econometric models. The results show that the level of digitalization promotes the development of agricultural modernization in terms of the change in the ranking of scores between 2014 and 2023. The correlation coefficients of the level of digital economy development, financial support for agriculture, and urbanization rate are 0.483, 1.163, and 0.764, which significantly promote the efficiency of agricultural production in China. There is a significant spatial dependence relationship between economic structure and digital transformation (P

Objective To evaluate the degree of skin injury caused by different doses of UVA1 irradiation and balance the relationship between UVA1 phototherapy and photodamage， aiming to maximize the therapeutic benefits. Methods Different doses of UVA1 irradiation were simulated to treat immune-contact sensitized mouse models. The degree of skin photodamage during treatment was observed and photodamage-related indexes were detected. Results With the increase of dose and irradiation times， the proportion of mice with black spots on the skin was significantly higher than that of mice without sunburn or erythema （both P < 0.05）. However， there were no significant changes in skin thickness and histomorphology compared with the non-photosensitized mouse model group. The detection of malondialdehyde （MDA） and reduced glutathione （GSH） on the skin showed that the increase of doses and irradiation times would cause the increase of MDA content （P < 0.05）； For GSH， the increase of doses would cause the decrease of GSH content （P < 0.05）；and the irradiation time exerted no effect （P > 0.05）. Conclusions Different doses of UVA1 phototherapy can cause skin photodamage， which is aggravated with the increase of dose and frequency. However， this photodamage is mild in the short term， especially with low-dose UVA1 irradiation. The balance between phototherapy effect and photodamage needs to be considered for moderate- and high-dose UVA1 irradiation.

RATIONALE:Diabetes mellitus is often associated with cardiovascular complications, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus, but little is known about the mechanism that connects diabetes mellitus to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction. OBJECTIVE:We aim to elucidate the mechanism underlying hyperglycemia-induced cardiac dysfunction on a well-established db/db mouse model for diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications that lead to heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS:We first profiled the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) by microarray and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on db/db mice and identified miR-320 as a key miRNA associated with the disease phenotype. We next established the clinical relevance of this finding by showing the upregulation of the same miRNA in the failing heart of patients with diabetes mellitus. We demonstrated the causal role of miR-320 in inducing diabetic cardiomyopathy, showing that miR-320 overexpression exacerbated while its inhibition improved the cardiac phenotype in db/db mice. Unexpectedly, we found that miR-320 acts as a small activating RNA in the nucleus at the level of transcription. By chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitive polymerase chain reaction analysis of Ago2 (argonaute RISC catalytic component 2) and RNA polymerase II in response to miR-320 induction, we identified CD36 (fatty acid translocase) as a key target gene for this miRNA and showed that the induced expression of CD36 is responsible for increased fatty acid uptake, thereby causing lipotoxicity in the heart. CONCLUSIONS:These findings uncover a novel mechanism for diabetes mellitus-triggered cardiac dysfunction, provide an endogenous case for small activating RNA that has been demonstrated to date only with synthetic RNAs in transfected cells, and suggest a potential strategy to develop a miRNA-based therapy to treat diabetes mellitus-associated cardiovascular complications.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, despite the wide diversity of molecular targets identified and the development of therapeutic methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (about 22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in the cytoplasm and play complicated roles in different CVDs. While miRNA overexpression in one type of cell protects against heart disease, it promotes cardiac dysfunction in another type of cardiac cell. Moreover, recent studies have shown that, apart from cytosolic miRNAs, subcellular miRNAs such as mitochondria- and nucleus-localized miRNAs are dysregulated in CVDs. However, the functional properties of cellular- and subcellular-localized miRNAs have not been well characterized. In this review article, by carefully revisiting animal-based miRNA studies in CVDs, we will address the regulation and functional properties of miRNAs in various CVDs. Specifically, the cell–cell crosstalk and subcellular perspective of miRNAs are highlighted. We will provide the background for attractive molecular targets that might be useful in preventing the progression of CVDs and heart failure (HF) as well as insights for future studies.

Objective To evaluate the severity of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria ( CSU) and explore the correlation between anxiety and depression scores, disease activity, and quality of life. Methods Outpatients with CSU were enrolled at Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology from August 2023 to December 2023. A questionnaire survey was used to collect clinical data and urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) from patients. SAS and SDS scores were obtained again after over 8-week treatments. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between SAS, SDS and UAS7 and DLQI. SAS and SDS were compared before and after the treatments. Results A total of 53 CSU patients were included, of which 15 (28. 30% ) had anxiety and 16 (30. 19% ) had depression. The DLQI score was significantly higher in CSU patients with anxiety than in those without anxiety (t = 2. 58, P = 0. 013), and the UAS7 score was significantly higher in patients with depression than in that without depression (t = 2. 29, P = 0. 026 ) . Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of SAS with UAS7 and DLQI (r =0. 31, P =0. 029; r =0. 33, P =0. 020), while SDS was not related to UAS7 and DLQI (both P >0. 05) . After over 8-week treatments, SAS and SDS were significantly decreased in 24 patients (t = 3. 97, P < 0. 001; t = 3. 69, P = 0. 001). Conclusions CSU patients often have comorbidities of anxiety and depression. The poorer the quality of life, the greater the likelihood of anxiety, and the more severe the disease activity, the greater the likelihood of depression. Anxiety is correlated with disease activity and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although omalizumab has shown success in treating chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients unresponsive to antihistamines, the exact mechanism of action and predictive markers of response remain unclear. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between baseline levels of biomarkers and clinical parameters with omalizumab response and response rate in patients with CSU. Methods: This retrospective study included 82 adult CSU patients who received omalizumab 300mg every 4 weeks for 16 weeks between January 2022 and December 2023. Treatment response was assessed using UAS7 and DLQI scores at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Responders were defined as patients achieving UAS7 < 7, with early and late responders categorized based on response within or after 4 weeks, respectively. Baseline clinical features and laboratory biomarkers were compared between responders and non-responders. Results: The overall response rate was 71.95% (59/82), with 23 early responders and 36 late responders. Responders had significantly lower baseline UAS7 (median: 28 vs 35, P < 0.01), DLQI (median: 8 vs 15, P < 0.001), and IL-17 levels (median: 0.53 vs 1.26 pg/mL, P < 0.001) compared to non-responders. Baseline UAS7 > 31, DLQI > 9.5, and IL-17 > 0.775 pg/mL predicted non-response with sensitivities of 78.26%, 100%, and 78.26%, and specificities of 67.8%, 59.32%, and 72.88%, respectively. ASST positivity and comorbid allergic diseases were associated with early response (P < 0.05). Adverse events were reported in 6.09% of patients, including mild injection site reactions and transient urticaria exacerbation, not requiring treatment discontinuation. Conclusion: This study suggests that omalizumab is an effective and safe treatment option for antihistamine-refractory CSU. Baseline UAS7, DLQI, ASST status, serum total IgE levels, and IL-17 may serve as potential predictors of omalizumab response. Notably, ASST positivity and comorbid allergic diseases were associated with an early response to treatment. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual patient characteristics when predicting the likelihood and timing of response to omalizumab in CSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), is a major disease of banana plants worldwide. Effector proteins play critical roles in banana–Foc TR4 interaction. Our previous studies highlighted a ribonuclease protein belonging to the T2 family (named as FocRnt2) in the Foc TR4 secretome, which was predicted to be an effector. However, its biological function in Foc TR4 infection is still unclear. Herein, we observed significant expression of FocRnt2 during the early stage of fungal infection in planta. A yeast signal sequence trap assay showed that FocRnt2 contained a functional signal peptide for secretion. FocRnt2 possessed ribonuclease activity that could degrade the banana total RNA in vitro. Subcellular localization showed that FocRnt2 was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Transient expression of FocRnt2 suppressed the expression of salicylic acid‐ and jasmonic acid‐signalling marker genes, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and BAX‐mediated cell death in N. benthamiana. FocRnt2 deletion limited fungal penetration, reduced fusaric acid biosynthesis in Foc TR4, and attenuated fungal virulence against banana plants, but had little effect on Foc TR4 growth and sensitivity to various stresses. Furthermore, FocRnt2 deletion mutants induced higher expression of the defence‐related genes in banana plants. These results suggest that FocRnt2 plays an important role in full virulence of Foc TR4, further improving our understanding of effector‐mediated Foc TR4 pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is linked to fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction, which might be a result of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is associated with cell senescence; however, the role and mechanism of high glucose and cell senescence in HIP endothelial cell failure are largely unknown. Our study discovered that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) obtained from HIP pregnant women exhibit excessive senescence, with significantly elevated expression of senescence markers senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), p16, p21, and p53. Subsequently, we found that exposing primary HUVECs and cell lines to high glucose resulted in an increase in the synthesis of these senescence indicators, similar to what had been observed in pregnant women with HIP. A replicate senescence model and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) model showed higher amounts of vascular damage indicators, including von Willebrand factor (vWF), chemotactic C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), along with the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. However, lower expressions of the pro-apoptotic component BAX, in addition to defective proliferation and tubulogenesis, were seen. Further studies indicated that hyperglycemia can not only induce these alterations in HUVECs but also exacerbate the aforementioned changes in both aging HUVECs. The experiments outlined above have also been validated in pregnant women with HIP. Collectively, these data suggest that exposure to high glucose accelerates cell senescence-mediated vein endothelial cell dysfunction, including excessive inflammation, cell adhesion, impaired angiogenesis, and cell proliferation possibly contributing to pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is a common skin disease with a complex pathogenesis, and so far, no effective treatment is available. Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae) polysaccharide (LBP), the main active ingredient of goji berries, has been demonstrated to protect keratinocytes and fibroblasts against oxidative stress. This study explored the effects and mechanism of LBP on monobenzone-induced vitiligo in mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): negative control that received vaseline, vitiligo model group induced by monobenzone that treated with vaseline, positive control that received tacrolimus (TAC), LBP groups that received 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg LBP, respectively. We quantified the depigmentation by visual examination and scores, detected the expression of CD8+ T cells, pro-inflammatory cytokines and analysed the STAT3-Hsp70-CXCL9/CXCL10 pathway. LBP 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg groups can significantly reduce depigmentation scores and the infiltration of local inflammatory cells in the skin lesions. Moreover, the expression of CXCL9, CXCL3, CXCL10 and HSP70 decreased by 54.3, 20.3, 48.5 and 27.2% in 0.3 g/kg LBP group, which decreased by 62.1, 26.6, 58.2 and 34.5% in 0.6 g/kg LBP group. In addition, 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg LBP decreased the release of IL-8 (9.7%, 22.8%), IL-6 (40.8%, 42.5%), TNF-α (25.7%, 35%), IFN-γ (25.1%, 27.6%) and IL-1β (23.7%, 33.7%) and inhibited the phosphorylation expression of STAT3 by 63.2 and 67.9%, respectively. These findings indicated LBP might be recommended as a new approach for vitiligo which provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of LBP in treating vitiligo patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the family Caulimoviridae contain abundant endogenous pararetroviral sequences (EPRVs) integrated into the host genome. Banana streak virus (BSV), a member of the genus Badnavirus in this family, has two distinct badnaviral integrated sequences, endogenous BSV (eBSV) and banana endogenous badnavirus sequences (BEVs). BEVs are distributed widely across the genomes of different genotypes of bananas. To clarify the distribution and location of BEVs in different genotypes of bananas and their coevolutionary relationship with bananas and BSVs, BEVs and BSVs were identified in 102 collected banana samples, and a total of 327 BEVs were obtained and categorized into 26 BEVs species with different detection rates. However, the majority of BEVs were found in Clade II, and a few were clustered in Clade I. Additionally, BEVs and BSVs shared five common conserved motifs. However, BEVs had two unique amino acids, methionine and lysine, which differed from BSVs. BEVs were distributed unequally on most of chromosomes and formed hotspots. Interestingly, a colinear relationship of BEVs was found between AA and BB, as well as AA and SS genotypes of bananas. Notably, the chromosome integration time of different BEVs varied. Based on our findings, we propose that the coevolution of bananas and BSVs is driven by BSV Driving Force (BDF), a complex interaction between BSVs, eBSVs, and BEVs. This study provides the first clarification of the relationship between BEVs and the coevolution of BSVs and bananas in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]