Effect of silicon addition on the growth and photosynthesis of Castanopsis hystrix in manganese stress

Silicon (Si) plays important role in reducing the toxic effects of manganese (Mn) in plants, however, more research is needed to elucidate the photosynthetic response with different Si and Mn treatments. This study aimed to investigate the alleviating effect of Si on the growth and photosynthesis of Castanopsis hystrix (C. hystrix) under Mn stress. Seedlings were grown in pot experiments with five Mn levels (0, 200, 600, 1500, and 3000 mg·kg-1) and four Si levels (0, 115, 230, and 460 mg·kg-1). The results showed that three types of (positive, stagnant, and negative) growth of C. hystrix seedlings were observed among twenty treatments. Low concentrations of Si (Si ≤ 115 mg·kg-1) and Mn treatments (Mn ≤ 600 mg·kg-1) can stimulate a positive growth of seedlings by increasing net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs). The 230 mg·kg-1 Si with low concentration of Mn treatments can cause a stagnant growth of seedlings by increasing Gs, Tr and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) but decreasing intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci). High concentrations of Si (Si ≥ 460 mg·kg-1) or Mn treatments (Mn ≥ 1500 mg·kg-1) treatments can cause negative growth of seedlings by decreasing photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (qN), Gs, Pn and pigment contents. The application of Si alleviated the stress induced by Mn and promoted the growth-defense regulation mechanism of seedlings to avoid stress. Hence, we concluded that the most suitable concentration of Si was 115 mg·kg-1 Si for C. hystrix’s growth under low Mn stress

Associations of weight-adjusted-waist index and systemic immune-inflammatory index with sKlotho: evidence from the NHANES 2007-2016

BackgroundKlotho is an anti-aging protein, and obesity and inflammation have been identified as having a relationship with Klotho. This study investigated the correlation between weight-adjusted-waist index(WWI), systemic inflammation index(SII) and soluble Klotho (sKlotho) and explored the potential mediating role of SII.MethodsThe association between WWI, SII, and sKlotho was investigated using weighted multivariate linear regression, subgroup analysis, and smoothed curve fitting in this cross-sectional study, which was based on NHANES data. The Bootstrap method was used to test for mediation effects. Covariate selection was validated using the variance inflation factor (VIF).ResultsThe study involved a total of 9,506 participants. The results showed that WWI (β=-0.03; 95%CI:-0.04,-0.01; p<0.0001) was associated with SII (β=-0.00, 95%CI:-0.00,-0.00:p<0.001) and Ln-sKlotho.There was a negative correlation between both WWI and SII and sKlotho. Subgroup analysis showed that gender, age, education, marital status, family income, HEI, PA, hypertension, diabetes, CKD, alcohol use, smoking, and SII did not affect the negative correlation between WWI and sKlotho (FDR-corrected p>0.1). The mediation analysis showed that SII played a significant mediating effect in the role of WWI on sKlotho, with SII mediating 6.78% of the relationship between WWI and sKlotho.ConclusionThere is a negative correlation between WWI and sKlotho, and SII may be an important mediator between WWI and sKlotho. Reducing inflammatory conditions in obese populations may increase sKlotho levels, which in turn may delay organismal aging in middle-aged and elderly people

Adaptive strategies in plant life forms: assessing the variations in leaf ecological stoichiometry and functional traits

The study of leaf functional traits and leaf ecological stoichiometry is of great significance for understanding plant adaptation strategies and nutrient uptake and utilization. In order to explore the adaptation mechanism of different life types to humid and hot subtropical environment, this study analyzed the leaf functional traits and ecological stoichiometric characteristics and associations of different life types of plants (trees, shrubs and herbs) with 54 common subtropical plants as research objects. The results showed that there were significant differences in leaf functional traits among different life types, and specific leaf area and leaf water content were the key functional traits to regulate ecological stoichiometry. Different life types of plants have different regulation patterns, and they adopt different ecological strategies to adapt to the heterogeneity of subtropical environment. In general, herbs showed a “fast – return on investment” strategy, and trees tended to be “slow – return on investment” strategy

Association between serum uric acid levels and peripheral artery disease in Chinese adults with hypertension

BackgroundHigher serum uric acid (SUA) can cause gout, which is principally characterized by arthritis due to monosodium urate crystal deposition in the lower extremities. High levels of SUA have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease(PAD). To date, the relationship between SUA levels and PAD is still poorly understood.MethodAn analysis of 9,839 Chinese adults with essential hypertension from the ongoing China H-type Hypertension Registry Study was conducted in this cross-sectional study. Patients with an ABI ≤0.9 was diagnosed with PAD. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA levels >420 mol/L in men and >360 mol/L in women. The association between SUA levels and PAD was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models based on odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThe enrolled subjects ranged in age from 27 to 93 years, with a mean age of 63.14 ± 8.99 years. The proportion of male patients was 46.22%, and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 50.72%. In males, hyperuricemia was positively associated with the risk of PAD (adjusted OR per SD increase: 1.72, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.53, P =0.006). Males in the highest SUA tertile were significantly more likely to have PAD (adjusted OR: 2.63, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.86, P = 0.002; P for trend = 0.001). However, this positive relationship was not observed in females (adjusted OR: 1.29, 95% CI 0.77 to 2.17, P = 0.327; P for trend = 0.347).ConclusionAccording to this cross-sectional study, higher SUA levels were positively associated with PAD in male hypertensive patients, while this positive relationship disappeared in female participants

A meta-analysis of survival after minimally invasive radical hysterectomy versus abdominal radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer: center-associated factors matter

Purpose: To explore the possible factors that contributed to the poor performance of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus abdominal surgery regarding progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched (January 2000 to April 2021). Study selection was performed by two researchers to include studies reported oncological safety. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined using random-effect model. Subgroup analyses were stratified by characteristics of disease, publication, study design and treatment center. Results: Sixty-one studies with 63,369 patients (MIS 26956 and ARH 36,049) were included. The overall-analysis revealed a higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.209; 95% CI 1.102–1.327) and death (HR 1.124; 95% CI 1.013–1.248) after MIS versus ARH expect in FIGO IB1 (FIGO 2009 staging) patients with tumor size less than 2 cm. However, subgroup analyses showed comparable PFS/DFS and OS in studies published before the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial, published in European journals, conducted in a single center, performed in centers in Europe and in centers with high sample volume or high MIS sample volume. Conclusion: Our findings highlight possible factors that associated with inferior survival after MIS in cervical cancer including publication characteristics, center-geography and sample volume. Center associated factors were needed to be taken into consideration when evaluating complex surgical procedures like radical hysterectomy

Pancreatic Cancer Epidemiology, Detection, and Management

PC (pancreatic cancer) is the fourth most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates have been increasing year by year worldwide, and this review has analyzed the most recent incidence and mortality data for pancreatic cancer occurrence in China. Several possible risk factors have been discussed here, involving known established risk factors and novel possible risk factors. The development of this cancer is a stepwise progression through intraepithelial neoplasia to carcinoma. Though early and accurate diagnosis is promising based on a combination of recent techniques including tumor markers and imaging modalities, lacking early clinical symptoms makes the diagnosis late. Correct staging is critical because treatment is generally based on this parameter. Treatment options have improved throughout the last decades. However, surgical excision remains the primary therapy and efficacy of conventional chemoradiotherapy for PC is limited. Recently, some novel new therapies have been developed and will be applied in clinics soon. This review will provide an overview of pancreatic cancer, including an understanding of the developments and controversies

OsSIDP301, a Member of the DUF1644 Family, Negatively Regulates Salt Stress and Grain Size in Rice

As a major environmental factor, salt stress substantially retards growth and reduces the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa). Members of the DUF1644 family, “the domains of unknown function 1644 motif” are predicted to play an essential regulatory role in response to abiotic stress. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of most members of this family remain elusive. Here, we report that the OsSIDP301 (stress-induced DUF1644 protein) was induced by salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA). We found that overexpression of OsSIDP301 (OE) in plants conferred salt hypersensitivity and reduced grain size, whereas plants with OsSIDP301 RNA interference (RNAi) exhibited salt tolerance and increased grain size in rice. OsSIDP301 determines salt stress tolerance by modulating genes involved in the salt-response and ABA signaling pathways. Further studies suggest that OsSIDP301 regulates grain size by influencing cell expansion in spikelet hulls. Moreover, OsSIDP301 interacts with OsBUL1 COMPLEX1 (OsBC1), which positively regulates grain size in rice. Our findings reveal that OsSIDP301 functions as a negative regulator of salt stress and grain size, and repressing its expression represents a promising strategy for improving salt stress tolerance and yield in rice

Effects of salinity on growth, survival, tissue structure, osmoregulation, metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804)

IntroductionThis study investigates the effects of salinity on the growth, survival, tissue morphology, osmotic regulation, metabolism, and antioxidant responses of juvenile Eleutheronema tetradactylum.MethodsThe experiment was conducted under controlled aquaculture conditions with eight salinity treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 PSU), each with three replicates (20 fish per replicate) in cylindrical tanks (500 L). Juveniles (mean total length: 16.43 ± 0.87 cm; mean body weight: 35.71 ± 1.067g) were exposed to the treatments for 30 days. Key measurements included plasma osmotic pressure, ion concentrations, and Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) in the gills, assessed at 0, 1, 10, 20, and 30 days.ResultsSurvival rates, growth parameters, and histopathological changes in gill, intestinal, and kidney tissues were also evaluated. Additionally, plasma levels of lactic acid (LD), triglycerides (TG), glucose (GLU), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The results revealed that survival rates were significantly lower in the 0 PSU group compared to all other salinities (P< 0.05). Growth performance, including specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain rate (WGR), and daily weight gain (DWG), was significantly reduced at high salinities (30 and 35 PSU) (P< 0.05). Histopathological alterations were observed in the gills, intestine, and kidneys, particularly in osmoregulatory tissues. Salinity also significantly affected NKA, plasma osmotic pressure, and ion concentrations. The isosmotic point for E. tetradactylum was determined to be approximately 10.88 PSU. Metabolic responses, including LD, TG, and GLU, exhibited a pattern of initial decline followed by an increase with increasing salinity. SOD activity was significantly higher in the 10 PSU group compared to the 30 and 35 PSU groups (P< 0.05), while T-AOC showed a “U”-shaped response to increasing salinity. GSH-Px activity decreased with salinity, especially at 35 PSU (P< 0.05), while MDA levels did not vary significantly (P > 0.05).DiscussionIn conclusion, E. tetradactylum belongs to euryhaline fish species, with optimal growth occurring at lower salinities(5-10PSU). High salinity (30–35 PSU) adversely affects growth and antioxidant defense mechanisms, highlighting the species’ sensitivity to elevated salinity. Beyond identifying species-specific sensitivity, this work provides actionable guidelines for optimizing aquaculture practices, reducing metabolic costs, and mitigating oxidative stress in captive-reared populations