Using SiO2 nano-particles for better color uniformity and lumen output in 8500 K conformal and in-cup white LEDs

In the effort of improving the performance of white light LEDs devices (WLEDs), the SiO2 nano-particles were applied and have shown a significant impact on the optical properties. Specifically, the light output of the lighting devices is enhanced when a mixture of SiO2 particles and silicone gel is diffused on the encapsulation layer surface. This enhancement is the result of light scattering from SiO2 that strengthens the emitted blue light at further angles and reduces the color discrepancy. The evidence is that CCT deviation in SiO2-doped structure decline from 1000 K to 420 K in -70° to 70°. In addition, the SiO2 with refractive index in between the phosphor material and outside environment allows light to be emitted outward more effectively. This lighting enhancement of SiO2-doped structure increases the lumen output by 2.25% at 120 mA power source in comparison to structure without SiO2. These experimental outcomes suggest that SiO2 is an effective material to add in WLEDs structure for better lighting efficiency

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

<i>Verticillium dahliae VdPBP1</i> Transcription Factor Is Required for Hyphal Growth, Virulence, and Microsclerotia Formation

Verticillium dahliae, a fungal pathogen that affects more than 200 plant species, including tomatoes, requires specific proteins for its early steps in plant infection. One such crucial protein, VdPBP1, exhibits high expression in the presence of tomato roots. Its 313-amino acid C-terminal section restores adhesion in nonadhesive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. To uncover its role, we employed a combination of bioinformatics, genetics, and morphological analyses. Our findings underscore the importance of VdPBP1 in fungal growth and pathogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the VdPBP1 gene consists of four exons and three introns, encoding a 952-codon reading frame. The protein features a 9aaTAD domain, LsmAD, and PAB1 DNA-binding sites, as well as potential nuclear localization and transmembrane helix signals. Notably, the deletion of a 1.1 kb fragment at the gene’s third end impedes microsclerotia formation and reduces pathogenicity. Mutants exhibit reduced growth and slower aerial mycelial development compared to the wild type. The VdPBP1 deletion strain does not induce disease symptoms in tomato plants. Furthermore, VdPBP1 deletion correlates with downregulated microsclerotia formation-related genes, and promoter analysis reveals regulatory elements, including sites for Rfx1, Mig1, and Ste12 proteins. Understanding the regulation and target genes of VdPBP1 holds promise for managing Verticillium wilt disease and related fungal pathogens

Patterns and Strength of Pollen Tube Arrest in Self–incompatible Citrus Accessions (Rutaceae)

Pollen tube growth was examined to demonstrate the degree of self–incompatibility reaction in the pistils of 121 Citrus accessions including 77 pummelo accessions. One hundred of the 121 accessions were determined to be self–incompatible with the aid of an epifluorescent microscope. Based on the difference of self pollen tube growth between the self–incompatible and self–compatible accessions, the degree of self– incompatibility reaction in four portions of the pistils was roughly divided into three categories, i.e., high (H), moderate (M) and low (L). The degrees of the reaction in the stigmas, upper styles, middle styles and basal styles of these accessions were high–high–high–high (H–H–H–H), moderate–high–high–high (M–H– H–H), moderate–moderate–high–high (M–M–H–H), low–high–high–high (L–H–H–H), low–moderate–high– high (L–M–H–H) or low–low–high–high (L–L–H–H) in order from the stigma to lower style, and were designated as H, MH, MMH, LH, LMH and LLH types respectively. All of 77 pummelo accessions examined were self–incompatible and all of the seven types of self–incompatibility reaction were observed in the accessions of which about 80% showed either H or MH type of reaction. The degree of self–incompatibility reaction was more variable in the pummelo accessions originating in Southeast Asia than those in Japan. In three mandarin relatives and four yuzu relatives, the H and MH types of self–incompatibility reaction were exclusively found. These results suggested that the degree of self–incompatibility reaction in each part of style was different in different Citrus accessions and showed geographical diversity. The reason for this is discussed

<i>At-ore1</i> Gene Induces Distinct Novel H₂O₂-NACs Signaling in Regulating the Leaf Senescence in Soybeans (<i>Glycine max</i> L.)

Senescence is modulated by ORESARA1 (ORE1), a NAC transcription factor that interacts with hormones to fully induce senescence. The At-ore1 gene acts as a suppressor of leaf senescence; however, its exact role in this respect has not been clearly defined. In this study, the function of At-ore1 during leaf senescence was analyzed in soybeans. The precocious leaf senescence of the ore1-1 line was associated with greater chlorophyll loss, leaf necrosis, and redox imbalance in the early vegetative stage during the hyper-accumulation of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) by enhancing the expression of GmNECD3-related ABA synthesis. At-ore1 induced ABA regulation of the H2O2-GmARF2-GmNAC081 signaling circuit, which relays the At-ore1-induced cell death signal mediation to the caspase-1-like vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) expression, triggering programmed cell death. In contrast, it was found that At-ore1 functions in IAA to delay leaf-senescence-mediated suppression of the expression of ABA, ROS, and senescence-associated gene 39 (GmSAG39). The IAA-induced GmNAC065 expression controls soybean leaves’ longevity, as discovered by screening At-ore1 expression in ore1-6 for a more stay-green leaf phenotype by helping to increase seed yields. These results uncover a mechanism that modulates ore1 plants’ amplitude expression involved in the ABA/IAA balance in the activation of GmNAC081- or GmNAC065-dependent H2O2 levels, which are crucial in the senescence or delayed leaf senescence of soybeans

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of calophyllolide isolated from <i>Calophyllum inophyllum</i> Linn

<div><p>Due to the high-cost and limitations of current wound healing treatments, the search for alternative approaches or drugs, particularly from medicinal plants, is of key importance. In this study, we report anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of the major calophyllolide (CP) compound isolated from <i>Calophyllum inophyllum</i> Linn. The results showed that CP had no effect on HaCaT cell viability over a range of concentrations. CP reduced fibrosis formation and effectively promoted wound closure in mouse model without causing body weight loss. The underlying molecular mechanisms of wound repair by CP was investigated. CP markedly reduced MPO activity, and increased M2 macrophage skewing, as shown by up-regulation of M2-related gene expression, which is beneficial to the wound healing process. CP treatment prevented a prolonged inflammatory process by down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines—IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, but up-regulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. This study is the first to indicate a plausible role for CP in accelerating the process of wound healing through anti-inflammatory activity mechanisms, namely, by regulation of inflammatory cytokines, reduction in MPO, and switching of macrophages to an M2 phenotype. These findings may enable the utilization of CP as a potent therapeutic for cutaneous wound healing.</p></div

Effect of calophyllolide (CP) on acceleration of wound closure.

<p>Effect of calophyllolide (CP) on acceleration of wound closure.</p

Effect of calophyllolide on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.

<p>All mice were sacrificed on day 1 and day 5 post-operation, and skin tissue samples were collected to assess MPO activity (n = 3 mice per group per experiment). Data are represented as mean ± SEM and compared by one-way ANOVA. *** P<0.001.</p

Effect of calophyllolide on HaCaT and RAW264.7 cell viability.

<p>HPLC chromatograms of the isolated calophyollide <b>(A)</b> and standard control <b>(B)</b>. This compound was recorded at 233 nm, and its retention time is 36.6 min. <b>(C)</b> No effect of CP on the viability of both HaCaT and murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells after 24 h treatment.</p