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Verticillium dahliae causes significant losses in cotton production. To reveal the mechanism of the defense response to V. dahliae in cotton, transcriptomic analyses were performed using cotton cultivars M138 (V. dahliae-resistant) and P2 (V. dahliae-susceptible). The results revealed 11,076 and 6,640 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to V. dahliae, respectively. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis of 4,633 transcription factors (TFs) indicated a “MEblue” module containing 654 TFs that strongly correlate with resistance to V. dahliae. Among these TFs, the ethylene response factor Ghi_A05G10166 (GhERF91) was identified as a putative hub gene with a defense response against V. dahliae. A virus-induced gene silencing assay and exogenous application of ethephon showed that GhERF91 is activated by ethylene and positively regulates the response to V. dahliae exposure in cotton. This study provides fundamental transcriptome data and a putative causal gene (GhERF91) associated with resistance to V. dahliae, as well as genetic resources for breeding V. dahliae-resistant cotton.

Lignin is one of the main components of cell walls and is essential for resistance to insect pests in plants. Cotton plants are damaged by aphid (Aphis gossypii) worldwide but resistant breeding is undeveloped due to scarce knowledge on resistance genes and the mechanism. This study reported a lignin biosynthesis-related gene identified in the F2 population derived from the cross between cotton cultivars Xinluzao 61 (resistant to aphid) and Xinluzao 50 (susceptible to aphid). A quantitative trait locus was mapped on chromosome D04 with a logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 5.99 and phenotypic effect of 27%. RNA-seq analysis of candidate intervals showed that the expression level of GH_D04G1418 was higher in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible cultivar. This locus is close to AtLAC4 in the phylogenetic tree and contains a conserved laccase domain. Hence, it was designated GhLAC4-3. Silencing of GhLAC4-3 in Xinluzao 61 via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) resulted in decreased lignin content and increased susceptibility to aphids. These results suggest that GhLAC4-3 might enhance aphid resistance by regulating lignin biosynthesis in cotton.

Fruit branch angle (FBA), a pivotal component of cotton plant architecture, is vital for field and mechanical harvesting. However, the molecular mechanism of FBA formation is poorly understood in cotton. To uncover the genetic basis for FBA formation in cotton, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 163 cotton accessions with re-sequencing data. A total of 55 SNPs and 18 candidate genes were significantly associated with FBA trait. By combining GWAS and transcriptome analysis, four genes underlying FBA were identified. An FBA-associated candidate gene Ghi_A09G08736, which is homologous to SAUR46 in Arabidopsis thaliana, was detected in our study. In addition, transcriptomic evidence was provided to show that gravity and light were implicated in the FBA formation. This study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of FBA that informs architecture breeding in cotton.

Hyperspectral technology has enabled rapid and efficient nitrogen monitoring in crops. However, most approaches involve direct monitoring of nitrogen content or physiological and biochemical indicators directly related to nitrogen, which cannot reflect the overall plant nutritional status. Two important photosynthetic traits, the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) and the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), were previously shown to respond positively to nitrogen changes. Here, Pn and FAPAR were used for correlation analysis with hyperspectral data to establish a relationship between nitrogen status and hyperspectral characteristics through photosynthetic traits. Using principal component and band autocorrelation analyses of the original spectral reflectance, two band positions (350–450 and 600–750 nm) sensitive to nitrogen changes were obtained. The performances of four machine learning algorithm models based on six forms of hyperspectral transformations showed that the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) model based on the hyperspectral first derivative could better invert the Pn of function–leaves in cotton, and the random forest (RF) model based on hyperspectral first derivative could better invert the FAPAR of the cotton canopy. These results provide advanced metrics for non–destructive tracking of cotton nitrogen status, which can be used to diagnose nitrogen nutrition and cotton growth status in large farms.

With the promotion and popularization of machine cotton-picking, more and more attention has been paid to the selection of early-maturity varieties with compact plant architecture. The type of fruit branch is one of the most important factors affecting plant architecture and early maturity of cotton. Heredity analysis of the cotton fruit branch is beneficial to the breeding of machine-picked cotton. Phenotype analysis showed that the types of fruit branches in cotton are controlled by a single recessive gene. Using an F2 population crossed with Huaxin102 (normal branch) and 04N-11 (nulliplex branch), BSA (Bulked Segregant Analysis) resequencing analysis and GhNB gene cloning in 04N-11, and allelic testing, showed that fruit branch type was controlled by the GhNB gene, located on chromosome D07. Ghnb5, a new recessive genotype of GhNB, was found in 04N-11. Through candidate gene association analysis, SNP 20_15811516_SNV was found to be associated with plant architecture and early maturity in the Xinjiang natural population. The GhNB gene, which is related to early maturity and the plant architecture of cotton, is a branch-type gene of cotton. The 20_15811516_SNV marker, obtained from the Xinjiang natural population, was used for the assisted breeding of machine-picked cotton varieties.

Abstract In the framework of sustainable development and environmental preservation, this research aims to improve the stability and frost resistance of sulfate saline soil by utilizing industrial solid waste. Geopolymer materials containing fly ash (FA) activated by different NaOH concentrations were studied for study on stabilized soil with saline soil, with NaOH concentrations used ranged from 0.1 to 0.9. This study investigates the impact of the molar concentration of NaOH and the number of freeze-thaw cycles on the microstructure and strength of stabilized soil incorporating FA geopolymer. The XRD, FTIR, and TG studies of NaOH-excited FA stabilized soil revealed that the FA gel material grew with increasing concentration. The strength and frost resistance of stabilized soil increased and then declined as NaOH concentration increased, with an optimum excitation concentration of 0.5 M. After 28 days of curing at 20 °C, its UCS and splitting strength were 7.18 MPa and 1.89 MPa, respectively. The residual values of UCS and splitting strength after 5 freeze-thaw cycles (12 hours of freezing followed by 12 hours of thawing at +20 °C) at the optimal concentration were 46.35% and 39.92%, respectively.

Abstract Alarmins are a class of molecules released when affected cells damaged or undergo apoptosis. They contain various chemotactic and immunomodulatory proteins or peptides. These molecules regulate the immune response by interacting with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and play important roles in inflammatory response, tissue repair, infection defense, and cancer treatment. Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a common pregnancy-related disease, and its pathogenesis has been puzzling clinicians, so it needs to be further studied. In this paper, we first reviewed the research status of various alarmins and SA, focusing on the role of high mobility box 1 (HMGB1), interleukin33 (IL-33), interleukin1β (IL-1β) and S-100 protein (S100 protein) in immune response, inflammation, embryonic development and abortion. Subsequently, this paper summarized the effect of alarmins on pregnancy outcome by influencing angiogenesis-related factors. Finally, from the perspective of aseptic inflammation, the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways involved in various alarmins and their targeted drugs were reviewed. By focusing on specific molecules in alarmins and their receptors and signaling pathways, we can more accurately conduct drug research and development. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of alarmins in SA, and provide important references for early detection of abortion risk, revealing the disease mechanism, developing new therapies and improving the prognosis of patients.

Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a deadly subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options. Currently, programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have become the first choice for breast cancer immunotherapies. Despite paclitaxel being considered a cornerstone drug in breast cancer treatment, the effectiveness, safety, and optimal drug selection for its combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors remain uncertain. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis, performing a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from the inception of each database through May 18, 2024. Selected trials were those that assessed the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel-based PD-1/PD-L1 therapies for the treatment of TNBC. The primary endpoint assessed was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), adverse events (AEs), overall response rate (ORR), and Pathological complete response (pCR). This study is registered in PROSPERO under registration number CRD42023429651. Results: A total of 8 RCTs meeting our eligibility criteria were included, involving 4626 patients who received either Paclitaxel (Paclitaxel-placebo/chemotherapy) or a combination of durvalumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, toripalimab with paclitaxel. The pooled results demonstrated that Durvalumab combined with Paclitaxel significantly reduced the hazard ratio for OS (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA]: 91.05%) and PFS compared with Paclitaxel alone (SUCRA: 83.52%). Additionally, Durvalumab plus Paclitaxel significantly improved the ORR compared with Paclitaxel (odds ratio [OR]: 2.30; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 1.10–5.20). For safety outcomes, Atezolizumab plus Paclitaxel showed a favorable profile in AEs, with no significant differences observed between groups. In the pCR study, Pembrolizumab plus Paclitaxel was the most effective treatment option (SUCRA: 81.85%). Conclusions: When combined with paclitaxel, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors exhibit a favorable survival benefit. The combination of Durvalumab and paclitaxel represents the optimal treatment option. In the future, attention should be paid to the TNBC subtypes and drug dosage, as these factors may help to design personalized TNBC treatment programs.

Abstract H3K27ac has been widely recognized as a representative epigenetic marker of active enhancer, while its regulatory mechanisms in pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remain elusive. Here, a genome‐wide comparative study on H3K27ac activities and transcriptome profiling in high fat diet (HFD)‐induced MASLD model is performed. A significantly enhanced H3K27ac density with abundant alterations of regulatory transcriptome is observed in MASLD rats. Based on integrative analysis of ChIP‐Seq and RNA‐Seq, TDO2 is identified as a critical contributor for abnormal lipid accumulation, transcriptionally activated by YY1‐promoted H3K27ac. Furthermore, TDO2 depletion effectively protects against hepatic steatosis. In terms of mechanisms, TDO2 activates NF‐κB pathway to promote macrophages M1 polarization, representing a crucial event in MASLD progression. A bovine serum albumin nanoparticle is fabricated to provide sustained release of Allopurinol (NPs‐Allo) for TDO2 inhibition, possessing excellent biocompatibility and desired targeting capacity. Venous injection of NPs‐Allo robustly alleviates HFD‐induced metabolic disorders. This study reveals the pivotal role of TDO2 and its underlying mechanisms in pathogenesis of MASLD epigenetically and genetically. Targeting H3K27ac‐TDO2‐NF‐κB axis may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of abnormal lipid accumulation and pave the way for developing novel strategies for MASLD prevention and treatment.

The corrosion resistance of 347H stainless steel after hot rolling or hot extrusion has always been a focus of attention in the thermoelectric field. This work uses electrochemical evaluation methods to study the corrosion behavior of 347H stainless steel after hot compression under different temperatures. The effects of dynamic recrystallization (DRX), grain size, and grain boundary (GB) on the corrosion behavior of the material were analyzed by microstructure detection. It is found that 347H stainless steel undergoes a valley stage of corrosion properties when deformed near 1050 ℃ with a constant strain rate. The changes of grain boundary density and Σ3 boundaries caused by deformation at different temperatures are the fundamental reasons for the fluctuation of corrosion properties. These results indicate that deformation temperature is an important factor controlling the corrosion resistance of hot- compressed 347H stainless steel. This study has important reference value for the development of hot deformation technology and the improvement of corrosion resistance of 347H stainless steel.

In this research, we produced two types of biochar (BC) using cotton stalks as raw material and KOH as an activator, and compared their performance and adsorption mechanisms in the removal of tetracycline (TC) and methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. The results showed that the biochar generated using both procedures formed pores that connected to the interior of the biochar and had extensive microporous and mesoporous structures. The molten salt approach produces biochar with a higher specific surface area, larger pore size, and higher pore volume than the impregnation method, with a maximum specific surface area of 3095 m2/g. KBCM-900 (the BC produced using the molten salt method at 900 °C) had a better adsorption effect on TC, with a clearance rate of more than 95% in 180 min and a maximum adsorption amount of 912.212 mg/g. The adsorption rates of the two BCs for MB did not differ significantly at low concentrations, but as the concentration increased, KBCI-900 (the BC generated by the impregnation method at 900 °C) exhibited better adsorption, with a maximum adsorption of 723.726 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model may accurately describe the TC and MB adsorption processes of KBCI-900 and KBCM-900. The KBCI/KBCM-900 adsorption process combines physical and chemical adsorption, with the primary mechanisms being pore filling, π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. As a result, biochar generated using the molten salt method is suitable for the removal of large-molecule pollutants such as TC, whereas biochar prepared using the impregnation method is suitable for the removal of small-molecule dyes such as MB.

The substituent effect has a significant influence on the optical properties of spectral shape, width, and wavelength, and the intensities of the maximum peaks of emission (EMI) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). In this work, we conducted a systematic theoretical study to investigate how substituents alter the optical response in the EMI and CPL spectra of three [7]helicene derivatives at the vibronic level. To incorporate the vibronic effect, a state-of-the-art time-dependent (TD) method was used to achieve the fully converged spectra. In the meantime, a time-independent (TI) approach also provided a way to show the progression of the spectra, serving as a complementary strategy and creating reliable documentation for the experiment. The experimental spectra of EMI and CPL are nicely reproduced, which validates the reliability of the Adiabatic Hessian (AH) model in simulating experimental data. This allowed us to analyze in detail the effect of substituents, particularly on the optical responses. The introduction of cyano and methoxy groups is highlighted, as they altered the transition dipole moments and led to a 1000-fold increase in the intensity of EMI and CPL. Moreover, substituents can also rationally alter the spectral shape of EMI and CPL by affecting the responsible normal modes. The unique CN stretching and the MeO rotation in the substituted [7]helicene are highlighted as key factors contributing to the different behaviors of EMI and CPL. This sheds light on the design and synthesis of helicenes that can serve as ideal full-color EMI and CPL emitters.