Identification of the WRKY Gene Family and Characterization of Stress-Responsive Genes in Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin

WRKY transcription factors present unusual research value because of their critical roles in plant physiological processes and stress responses. Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS) is a perennial herb of dandelion in the Asteraceae family. However, the research on TKS WRKY TFs is limited. In this study, 72 TKS WRKY TFs were identified and named. Further comparison of the core motifs and the structure of the WRKY motif was analyzed. These TFs were divided into three groups through phylogenetic analysis. Genes in the same group of TkWRKY usually exhibit a similar exon-intron structure and motif composition. In addition, virtually all the TKS WRKY genes contained several cis-elements related to stress response. Expression profiling of the TkWRKY genes was assessed using transcriptome data sets and Real-Time RT-PCR data in tissues during physiological development, under abiotic stress and hormonal treatments. For instance, the TkWRKY18, TkWRKY23, and TkWRKY38 genes were significantly upregulated during cold stress, whereas the TkWRKY21 gene was upregulated under heat-stress conditions. These results could provide a basis for further studies on the function of the TKS WRKY gene family and genetic amelioration of TKS germplasm

Entropy engineering in transition metal sulfides for thermoelectric application

Transition metal sulfides have emerged as highly promising materials in thermoelectrics owing to their economic viability and sustainable characteristics. Herein, we developed entropy-engineered sulfides based on TiS2. The process of equal doping at Ti sites resulted in a notable reduction in lattice thermal conductivity due to point defects and phase segregation induced by entropy engineering; however, it also had a substantial detrimental effect on the Seebeck coefficient. Finally, by incorporating minor doping at Ti sites with Zr, Nb and Ta, each at a concentration of 1 at%, an impressive figure of merit of 0.38 was achieved at 625 K because minor doping was able to maintain the large Seebeck coefficient while simultaneously reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. This study not only illuminates the significant role of entropy engineering in reducing lattice thermal conductivity but also sparks interest in the potential of equivalent doping at sulfur sites for future investigations

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely applied in the clinical practice of neck pain owing to cervical radiculopathy (CR). While many systematic reviews exist in CAM to improve CR, research is distributed across population, intervention, comparison, and setting. Objective. This overview aims to summarize the characteristics and evaluate critically the evidence from systematic reviews. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed in the six databases without language restrictions on February 24, 2015. We had identified relevant systematic reviews that examined the subjects with neck pain due to cervical radiculopathy undergoing CAM. Two authors independently appraised the methodological quality using the revised assessment of multiple systematic reviews instrument. Results. We had included eight systematic reviews. The effectiveness and safety of acupotomy, acupuncture, Jingfukang granule, manual therapies, and cervical spine manipulation were investigated. Based on available evidence, the systematic reviews supported various forms of CAM for CR. Nevertheless, the methodological quality for most of systematic reviews was low or moderate. In addition, adverse reactions of primary studies were infrequent. Conclusions. Current systematic reviews showed potential advantages to CAM for CR. Due to the frequently poor methodological quality of primary studies, the conclusions should be treated with caution for clinical practice

MicroRNA-25 Protects Smooth Muscle Cells against Corticosterone-Induced Apoptosis

Background and Aims. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are central components of atherosclerotic plaque. Loss of VSMCs through apoptotic cell death can cause fibrous cap thinning, necrotic core formation, and calcification that may destabilize plaque. Elevated glucocorticoid levels caused by psychological stress promote VSMC apoptosis and can exacerbate atherosclerosis in mice and humans. Changes in the levels of antiapoptosis microRNA-25 (miR-25) have been linked with heart disease, inflammation, VSMC phenotype, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Here, we investigated the pathways and mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of mouse VSMCs and the protective role of miR-25. Methods. Primary mouse VSMCs were cultured +/- corticosterone for 48 h. Apoptosis, ROS, apoptotic protein activities, miR-25, MOAP1, a miR-25 target, and p70S6 kinase were quantified at intervals. The roles of miR-25 were assessed by treating cells with lenti-pre-miR-25 and anti-miR-25. Results. VSMC apoptosis, caspase-3 activity, and Bax were increased by corticosterone, and cell death was paralleled by marked loss of miR-25. Protection was conferred by pre-miR-25 and exacerbated by anti-miR-25. Pre-miR-25 conferred reduced expression of the proapoptotic protein MOAP1, and the protective effects of pre-miR-25 were abrogated by overexpressing MOAP1. The antiapoptotic effects of miR-25 were paralleled by inhibition of the p70S6K pathway, a convergence target for the survival signaling pathways, and protection by pre-miR-25 was abrogated by the p70S6k inhibitor rapamycin. Conclusions. MicroRNA-25 blocks corticosterone-induced VSMC apoptosis by targeting MOAP1 and the p70S6k pathway. Therapeutic manipulation of miR-25 may reduce atherosclerosis and unstable plaque formation associated with chronic stress

Decreased plasma neuropeptides in first-episode schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder: associations with clinical symptoms and cognitive function

BackgroundThere is an urgent need to identify differentiating and disease-monitoring biomarkers of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders (BD), and major depressive disorders (MDD) to improve treatment and management.MethodsWe recruited 54 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients, 52 BD patients, 35 MDD patients, and 54 healthy controls from inpatient and outpatient clinics. α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH), β-endorphin, neurotensin, orexin-A, oxytocin, and substance P were investigated using quantitative multiplex assay method. Psychotic symptoms were measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), manic symptoms using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and depressive symptoms using 17 item-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). We additionally measured cognitive function by using a battery of tests given to all participants.Resultsα-MSH, neurotensin, orexin-A, oxytocin, and substance P were decreased in the three patient groups compared with controls. Neurotensin outperformed all biomarkers in differentiating patient groups from controls. There were no significant differences for 6 neuropeptides in their ability to differentiate between the three patient groups. Higher neurotensin was associated with better executive function across the entire sample. Lower oxytocin and higher substance p were associated with more psychotic symptoms in FES and BD groups. β-endorphin was associated with early morning wakening symptom in all three patient groups.ConclusionOur research shows decreased circulating neuropeptides have the potential to differentiate severe mental illnesses from controls. These neuropeptides are promising treatment targets for improving clinical symptoms and cognitive function in FES, BD, and MDD

Phase evolution and oxidation resistance of Si₃N₄/HfB₂/HfBxCyN₁₋x₋y ceramic nanocomposites prepared from tailored preceramic polymers

Single-source-precursor derived ceramics exhibit advantages for the preparation of Si-based ceramics with controllable phase composition and adjustable functional/mechanical properties, which has significant potential for (ultra)high temperature ceramic materials. Within the present work, a series of hafnium/boron-containing Si3N4-based ceramics (SiHfBCN) are prepared upon pyrolysis/annealing of the corresponding single-source-precursors in N2 atmosphere at different temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1700 °C. The high-temperature (micro)structural evolution with respect to the annealing temperatures and boron concentration was studied using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the amorphous SiHfBCN ceramics convert upon crystallization into ceramic nanocomposites consisting of a α-Si3N4 matrix with embedded Si, HfB2, and HfBxCyN1–x–y. The formation and stability of HfBxCyN1–x–y solid solution were discussed in detail. Finally, the oxidation resistance of the obtained α-Si3N4/HfB2/HfBxCyN1–x–y ceramic nanocomposites was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis in air

FeNi Cubic Cage@N-Doped Carbon Coupled with N‑Doped Graphene toward Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance in electrochemical water splitting on industrial scale, which suffers from the slow kinetics and large overpotential, thus setting the main obstacle for efficient water electrolysis. To pursue cost-effective OER electrocatalysts with high activity and durable stability, we here set a facile strategy to prepare N-doped graphene supported core–shell FeNi alloy@N-doped carbon nanocages (FeNi@NC-NG) by annealing graphene oxides supported Prussian blue analogues under H₂/Ar atmosphere. Based on the specific structural benefits, the present catalyst shows superior OER catalytic activity than precious metal catalyst of RuO₂ and Ir/C, with a low overpotential of 270 mV for 10 mA cm^–2, as well as high stability. The simple synthesis process and outstanding electrocatalytic performances show great potential of FeNi@NC-NG to replace the noble metal-based catalysts toward electrochemical water oxidation