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Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) has a long cultivation history and is one of the vegetable crops with the largest cultivation area in China. However, salt stress severely damages photosynthesis and hormone metabolism, nutritional balances, and results in ion toxicity in plants. To better understand the mechanisms of salt-induced growth inhibition in Chinese cabbage, RNA-seq and physiological index determination were conducted to explore the impacts of salt stress on carbon cycle metabolism and photosynthesis in Chinese cabbage. Here, we found that the number of thylakoids and grana lamellae and the content of starch granules and chlorophyll in the leaves of Chinese cabbage under salt stress showed a time-dependent response, first increasing and then decreasing. Chinese cabbage increased the transcript levels of genes related to the photosynthetic apparatus and carbon metabolism under salt stress, probably in an attempt to alleviate damage to the photosynthetic system and enhance CO2 fixation and energy metabolism. The transcription of genes related to starch and sucrose synthesis and degradation were also enhanced; this might have been an attempt to maintain intracellular osmotic pressure by increasing soluble sugar concentrations. Soluble sugars could also be used as potential reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, in concert with peroxidase (POD) enzymes, to eliminate ROS that accumulate during metabolic processes. Our study characterizes the synergistic response network of carbon metabolism and photosynthesis under salt stress.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes and the main cause of end-stage renal disease around the world. Mitochondria are the main organelles responsible for producing energy in cells and are closely involved in maintaining normal organ function. Studies have found that a high-sugar environment can damage glomeruli and tubules and trigger mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, animal experiments have shown that DKD symptoms are alleviated when mitochondrial damage is targeted, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction is inextricably linked to the development of DKD. This article describes the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and the progression and onset of DKD. The relationship between DKD and mitochondrial dysfunction is discussed. At the same time, the progress of DKD treatment targeting mitochondrial dysfunction is summarized. We hope to provide new insights into the progress and treatment of DKD.

Background: The incidence of hypertension and clinical complications (e.g., heart, cerebrovascular and kidney injury) is increasing worldwide. It is widely known that a relatively large dose of valsartan (320 mg) could alleviate clinical complications. The current network meta-analysis assessed which drug could be combined with a relatively large dose of valsartan to control blood pressure (BP) more effectively. And which combination therapy with different dosages of valsartan did not induce excessive BP reduction with increasing dosages of valsartan. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and CSTJ databases were searched from inception to October 2022 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The search strategies included concepts related to hypertension and two-drug combination therapy of different doses of valsartan, and there were no language or data restrictions. The outcomes included adverse effects and changes in systolic BP and diastolic BP. Permanent discontinuations related to treatment were the most accurate and objective measure of adverse effects. The common adverse effects of most studies (i.e., dizziness, headache, nasopharyngitis, asthenia and urticaria) were also included. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed, and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. ADDIS and STATA were used for Bayesian model network meta-calculation. Results: Thirty-four RCTs were included involving 26,752 patients, and the interventions included different doses of valsartan combined with various types and doses of drugs. Among many combination therapies, the combination of valsartan 320 mg with amlodipine 10 mg (p < 0.01) had the best antihypertensive effect without significant adverse effects. Compared with valsartan 80 mg and 160 mg, valsartan 320 mg combined with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (p > 0.05) did not further reduce BP and was not shown to increase the incidence of adverse effects. Conclusions: Combination therapy with a relatively large dose of valsartan could control BP and improve clinical complications effectively. However, for hypertensive patients with different treatment requirements, specific choices should be made regarding whether to control BP, treat clinical complications, or both.

Heat shock proteins protect plants from abiotic stress, such as salt, drought, heat, and cold stress. HSP70 is one of the major members of the heat shock protein family. To explore the mechanism of HSP70 in Brassica rapa, we identified 28 putative HSP70 gene family members using state-of-the-art bioinformatics-based tools and methods. Based on chromosomal mapping, HSP70 genes were the most differentially distributed on chromosome A03 and the least distributed on chromosome A05. Ka/Ks analysis revealed that B. rapa evolution was subjected to intense purifying selection of the HSP70 gene family. RNA-sequencing data and expression profiling showed that heat and cold stress induced HSP70 genes. The qRT-PCR results verified that the HSP70 genes in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) are stress-inducible under both cold and heat stress. The upregulated expression pattern of these genes indicated the potential of HSP70 to mitigate environmental stress. These findings further explain the molecular mechanism underlying the responses of HSP70 to heat and cold stress.