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Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could act as a versatile signaling molecule in delaying fruit ripening and senescence. Ethylene (C2H4) also plays a key role in climacteric fruit ripening, but little attention has been given to its interaction with H2S in modulating fruit ripening and senescence. To study the role of H2S treatment on the fruit quality and nutrient metabolism, tomato fruits at white mature stage were treated with ethylene and ethylene plus H2S. By comparing to C2H4 treatment, we found that additional H2S significantly delayed the color change of tomato fruit, and maintained higher chlorophyll and lower flavonoids during storage. Moreover, H2S could inhibit the activity of protease, maintained higher levels of nutritional-related metabolites, such as anthocyanin, starch, soluble protein, ascorbic acid by comparing to C2H4 treatment. Gene expression analysis showed that additional H2S attenuated the expression of beta-amylase encoding gene BAM3, UDP-glycosyltransferase encoding genes, ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF003 and DOF22. Furthermore, principal component analysis suggested that starch, titratable acids, and ascorbic acid were important factors for affecting the tomato storage quality, and the correlation analysis further showed that H2S affected pigments metabolism and the transformation of macromolecular to small molecular metabolites. These results showed that additional H2S could maintain the better appearance and nutritional quality than C2H4 treatment alone, and prolong the storage period of post-harvest tomato fruits.

The effects of alcohol stress on Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated. Nematodes were exposed to 1–5% alcohol, after which lifespan, movement, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes, cell apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated. Low concentrations of alcohol (1–2%) significantly enhanced total antioxidant capacity, along with an observable increase in normal locomotion. Total antioxidant activity was significantly lower at high (4–5%) than at low (1–2%) concentrations of alcohol. These results suggested that alcohol intake leads to an imbalance in oxidative defense in C. elegans. None of the groups administered alcohol displayed signs of apoptosis. Low concentrations of alcohol delayed decrepitude, promoted resistance to oxidative stress, and improved antioxidant capacity. However, nematodes could not withstand the oxidative stress induced by and toxicity of high alcohol concentrations, which eventually shortened their lifespan. This study provides a reference for the screening of drugs that reduce the side effects of alcohol.

Rice is widely planted and serves as staple food in the world, but it is often exposed to acid rain and rice blast (Pyricularia oryzae). In this work, we analyzed the effects of co-exposure to simulated acid rain (SAR) and P. oryzae on the photosynthetic growth of rice seedlings. We found that the growth, photosynthesis, and chloroplast ultrastructure of rice seedlings were damaged under single treatments of P. oryzae and strong acid rain (pH 2.0) but increased under medium acidity acid rain (pH 4.0). Similarly, when plants were exposed to both P. oryzae and acid rain, pH 4.0 mitigated the changes of growth, photosynthetic characteristics, and chloroplast ultrastructure induced by P. oryzae, but pH 2.0 aggravated these changes. In addition, we found that significant differences in chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) correlated with transpiration rate (Tr) under the combined stress of acid rain and P. oryzae at pH 4.0 and pH 2.0. Medium-acidity acid rain alleviated the harm caused by P. oryzae on rice growth by enhancing synergistic regulatory mechanisms of photosynthetic traits to increase plant resistance tolerance. The effect of P. oryzae on photosynthetic traits of rice was regulated by acidity of acid rain.

p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) family proteins (α, β, γ and δ) are key inflammatory kinases and play an important role in relaying and processing intrinsic and extrinsic signals in response to inflammation, stress, and oncogene to regulate cell growth, cell death and cell transformation. Recent studies in genetic mouse models revealed that p38α in epithelial cells mostly suppresses whereas in immune cells it promotes inflammation and inflammation-associated oncogenesis. On the contrary, p38γ and p38δ signaling in immune and epithelial cells is both pro-inflammatory and oncogenic. This review summarizes recent discoveries in this field, discusses possible associated mechanisms, and highlights potentials of systemically targeting isoform-specific p38 MAPKs. Understanding of p38 MAPK isoform-specific and cell/tissue- and perhaps stage-dependent effects and their integrated regulated activity in inflammation and in inflammation-associated oncogenesis is essential for effectively targeting this group of kinases for therapeutic intervention.

This study introduces a novel approach for fabricating sub-micron dense GDC (Gd2O3 doped CeO2) barrier layers on YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) electrolytes via in situ hydrothermal self-crystallization at an extremely low temperature of 180 °C. The dense GDC barrier layer self-crystallization in aqueous solution, was influenced by the orientation of the YSZ substrate. An anode-supported single cell with a GDC barrier layer ∼330 nm thick shows an Rohm of 0.075 Ω cm2 and PMax of 1.019 W cm−2 at 750 °C, which is a great improvement over single cell with a screen-printed GDC barrier layer (Rohm of 0.15 Ω cm2 and PMax of 0.661 W cm−2) and shows enhanced durability over 800 h. This enhanced performance is primarily due to shortend oxygen ions transport pathways, and an optimized electrolyte/cathode interface from effective interface sintering. This in situ hydrothermal self-crystallization method emerges as a promising and applicable technique for the preparation of a thin-film GDC barrier layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the Fan product of several M-matrices is introduced. Furthermore, two new lower bounds of the minimum eigenvalue of the Fan product of several M-matrices are proposed. These obtained new lower bounds generalize and improve some earlier findings. One example is presented to illustrate the precision of the given lower bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies assessed myocardial inflammation using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. Purpose: To quantify myocardial edema in KD patients using T2 mapping and explore the independent predictors of T2 values. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Ninety KD patients including 40 in acute phase (26 males, 65.0%) and 50 in chronic phase (34 males, 68.0%). Thirty‐one healthy volunteers (21 males, 70.0%). Field Strength/Sequence: 3.0 T T2‐weighted Turbo Spin Echo‐Short Time of Inversion Recovery sequence, True fast imaging with steady precession flash sequence and fast low‐angle shot 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence. Assessment: T2 values were compared among KD groups and controls. Statistical Test: Student's t test and Fisher's exact test; One‐way analysis of variance; Pearson correlation analysis; Receiver operating curve analysis; Multivariable linear regression. Results: Global T2 value of KD patients in acute phase was the highest, followed by those of chronic‐phase patients and controls (38.83 ± 2.41 msec vs. 37.55 ± 2.28 msec vs. 36.05 ± 1.64 msec). Regional T2 values showed a same trend. There were no significant differences in global and regional T2 values between KD patients with and without coronary artery (CA) dilation, no matter in acute or chronic phase (all KD patients: P = 0.51, 0.51, 0.53, 0.72; acute KD: P = 0.61, 0.37, 0.33, 0.83; chronic KD: P = 0.65, 0.79, 0.62, 0.79). No significant difference was observed in global T2 values between KD patients with Z score > 5.0 and 2.0 < Z score ≤ 5.0 (P = 0.65). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that stage of disease (β = −0.123) and heart rate (β = 0.280) were independently associated with global T2 values. Data Conclusion: The degree of myocardial edema was more severe in acute‐phase than in chronic‐phase KD patients. Myocardial edema persists in patients regardless of the existence or degree of CA dilation. Evidence Level: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduced a smoothing algorithm for calculating the maximal eigenvalue of non-defective positive matrices. Two special matrices were constructed to provide monotonically increasing lower-bound estimates and monotonically decreasing upper-bound estimates of the maximal eigenvalue. The monotonicity and convergence of these estimations was also proven. Finally, the effectiveness of the algorithm was demonstrated with numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Directional organic transformation via a green, sustainable catalytic reaction has attracted a lot of attention. Herein, we report a photoelectrochemical approach for highly selective epoxidation of alkenes in a salt solution using Co2(OH)3Cl (CoOCl) as a bridge of photo‐generated charge, where the lattice Cl− of CoOCl can be oxidized to generate HClO by the photo‐generated holes of BiVO4 photoanode and be spontaneously recovered by Cl− of a salt solution, which then oxidizes the alkenes into the corresponding epoxides. As a result, a series of water‐soluble alkenes, including 4‐vinylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium, 2‐methyl‐2‐propene‐1‐sulfonic acid sodium, and 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol can be epoxidized with near 100 % conversion rate and selectivity. Through further inserting a MoOx protection layer between BiVO4 and CoOCl, the stability of CoOCl−MoOx/BiVO4 can be maintained for at least 120 hours. This work opens an avenue for solar‐driven organic epoxidation with a possibility of on‐site reaction around the abundant ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) caused by obesity have increased in recent years. The impact of obesity on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with or without DM remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 1918 patients who underwent PCI. Patients were categorized into four groups based on body mass index (BMI, normal weight: BMI < 25 kg/m2; overweight and obese: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and DM status (presence or absence). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; defined as all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and unplanned repeat revascularization). Results: During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, no significant differences in MACCE, myocardial infarction, or stroke were observed among the four groups. Overweight and obese individuals exhibited lower all-cause mortality rates compared with normal-weight patients (without DM: hazard ratio [HR]: 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37 to 0.78; with DM: HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.86). In non-diabetic patients, the overweight and obese group demonstrated a higher risk of unplanned repeat revascularization than the normal-weight group (HR:1.23, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.46). After multivariable adjustment, overweight and obesity were not significantly associated with MACCE, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned repeat revascularization in patients with and without diabetes undergoing PCI. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity did not demonstrate a significant protective effect on long-term outcomes in patients with and without diabetes undergoing PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of heterogeneous and complex oil and gas reservoirs poses a significant challenge due to the problem of unstable seepage flow. This research investigates the non-linear seepage flow patterns in such reservoirs, with a particular focus on ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs, using fractal theory. By analysing the scale invariance in the seepage flow of ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs, we have derived a fractal geometric expression based on the capillary pressure curve. This expression was integrated with mercury intrusion porosimetry to study the fractal dimension of ultra-low permeability reservoirs. Our experimental results indicate the presence of fractal characteristics in ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs. Based on this, we have investigated the fractal nature of matrix porosity and fractures and their effect on the stress sensitivity of ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs. This led to the development of a new fractal model for seepage flow in these reservoirs, which takes into account the non-Darcy flow behaviour of gas in nanoscale pores. The mathematical model was simplified using point source solutions and regular perturbation methods. The analysis shows that the fractal parameters of the matrix and fractures, together with the adsorption coefficients and the permeability modulus, have a significant influence on the dynamic pressure behaviour. The effects of slip and diffusion coefficients and stress sensitivity on the dynamics were also investigated. The pressure dynamics curves of ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs show distinct differences from those of homogeneous reservoirs and conventional dual porosity reservoirs. This study not only reveals the unique dynamic pressure characteristics of ultra-low permeability tight gas reservoirs, but also shows that the traditional reservoir models are, under certain conditions, special cases of the model proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]