Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are diverse, naturally occurring bacteria that establish a close association with plant roots and promote the growth and immunity of plants. Established ...mechanisms involved in PGPR-mediated plant growth promotion include regulation of phytohormones, improved nutrient availability, and antagonistic effects on plant pathogens. In this study, we isolated a bacterium from the rhizospheric soil of a soybean field in Chungcheong buk-do, South Korea. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, the bacterium was identified as Bacillus aryabhattai strain SRB02. Here we show that this strain significantly promotes the growth of soybean. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that SRB02 produced significant amounts of abscisic acid, indole acetic acid, cytokinin and different gibberellic acids in culture. SRB02-treated soybean plants showed significantly better heat stress tolerance than did untreated plants. These plants also produced consistent levels of ABA under heat stress and exhibited ABA-mediated stomatal closure. High levels of IAA, JA, GA12, GA4, and GA7, were recorded in SRB02-treated plants. These plants produced longer roots and shoots than those of control plants. B. aryabhattai SRB02 was found to be highly tolerant to oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and MV potentiated by high catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. SRB02 also tolerated high nitrosative stress induced by the nitric oxide donors GSNO and CysNO. Because of these attributes, B. aryabhattai SRB02 may prove to be a valuable resource for incorporation in biofertilizers and other soil amendments that seek to improve crop productivity.
The reversible and cooperative activation process, which includes electron transfer from surrounding redox mediators, the reversible valence change of cofactors and macroscopic functional/structural ...change, is one of the most important characteristics of biological enzymes, and has frequently been used in the design of homogeneous catalysts. However, there are virtually no reports on industrially important heterogeneous catalysts with these enzyme-like characteristics. Here, we report on the design and synthesis of highly active TiO2 photocatalysts incorporating site-specific single copper atoms (Cu/TiO2) that exhibit a reversible and cooperative photoactivation process. Our atomic-level design and synthetic strategy provide a platform that facilitates valence control of co-catalyst copper atoms, reversible modulation of the macroscopic optoelectronic properties of TiO2 and enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity, extending the boundaries of conventional heterogeneous catalysts.Reversible and cooperative activation processes are important characteristics of biological enzymes and can be used in designing catalysts. Highly active TiO2 photocatalysts incorporated with site-specific single copper atoms are now shown to exhibit such a photoactivation process.
This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of combining the quantitative parameters of shear wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to breast ultrasound (US) to ...differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses.
A total of 200 pathologically confirmed breast lesions in 192 patients were retrospectively reviewed using breast US with B-mode imaging, SWE, and SMI. Breast masses were assessed based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) and quantitative parameters using the maximum elasticity (Emax) and ratio (Eratio) in SWE and the vascular index in SMI (SMI
). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of B-mode alone versus the combination of B-mode US with SWE or SMI of both parameters in differentiating between benign and malignant breast masses was compared, respectively. Hypothetical performances of selective downgrading of BI-RADS category 4a (set 1) and both upgrading of category 3 and downgrading of category 4a (set 2) were calculated.
Emax with a cutoff value of 86.45 kPa had the highest AUC value compared to Eratio of 3.57 or SMI
of 3.35%. In set 1, the combination of B-mode with Emax or SMI
had a significantly higher AUC value (0.829 and 0.778, respectively) than B-mode alone (0.719) (
< 0.001 and
= 0.047, respectively). B-mode US with the addition of Emax, Eratio, and SMI
had the best diagnostic performance of AUC value (0.849). The accuracy and specificity increased significantly from 68.0% to 84.0% (
< 0.001) and from 46.1% to 79.1% (
< 0.001), respectively, and the sensitivity decreased from 97.6% to 90.6% without statistical loss (
= 0.199).
Combining all quantitative values of SWE and SMI with B-mode US improved the diagnostic performance in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions.
The effects of Ag content on the interfacial reactions between Sn–Ag–Cu (SAC) solders and Cu substrates during soldering were studied based on an experiment in which the liquid solder is removed ...after a long exposure time. This removal of the solder allows for the capture and visualization of the interfacial IMCs formed during soldering and avoids the influence of Cu6Sn5 precipitated from the solder matrix during cooling. The results showed that a Cu6Sn5 scallop type layer with round grains having a strong texture was formed at the interface of the SAC solders/Cu systems. The addition of Ag decreased the IMC/liquid SAC solder interfacial energy and improved the wettability of the solder on the Cu. In addition to the reaction energy, the interfacial microstructure also affected the interfacial IMC growth extent. By changing the growth environment near the interface, Ag affected the orientation of Cu6Sn5 grains formed at the interface, leading to the evolution of a microstructure that generates more Cu6Sn5 grain boundaries at the interface. Consequently, under the same reflow conditions, SAC solders with a higher Ag content in contact with the Cu substrate form thicker IMCs interfacial layers.
•We design an experiment to obtain IMCs formed at molten solder/Cu interface.•Round Cu6Sn5 grains with strong texture form at SAC solders/Cu interface.•Interfacial IMC microstructure evolution affects its growth extent.•Ag promotes interfacial IMC growth by affecting growth orientation of Cu6Sn5 grains.
Waterlogging (WL) is a key factor hindering soybean crop productivity worldwide. Plants utilize various hormones to avoid various stress conditions, including WL stress; however, the physiological ...mechanisms are still not fully understood.
To identify physiological mechanisms during WL stress, different phytohormones, such as ethephon (ETP; donor source of ethylene), abscisic acid, gibberellins, indole-3-acetic acid, kinetin, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid were exogenously applied to soybean plants. Through this experiment, we confirmed the beneficial effects of ETP treatment. Thus, we selected ETP as a candidate hormone to mitigate WL. Further mechanistic investigation of the role of ETP in waterlogging tolerance was carried out. Results showed that ETP application mitigated WL stress, significantly improved the photosynthesis pigment, and increased the contents of endogenous GA
compared to those in untreated plants. The amino acid contents during WL stress were significantly activated by EPT treatments. The amino acid contents were significantly higher in the 100 μM ETP-treated soybean plants than in the control. ETP application induced adventitious root initiation, increased root surface area, and significantly increased the expressions of glutathione transferases and relative glutathione activity compared to those of non-ETP-treated plants. ETP-treated soybeans produced a higher up-regulation of protein content and glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) than did soybeans under the WL only treatment.
In conclusion, the current results suggest that ETP application enabled various biochemical and transcriptional modulations. In particular, ETP application could stimulate the higher expression of GST3 and GST8. Thus, increased GST3 and GST8 induced 1) increased GSH activity, 2) decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS), 3) mitigation of cell damage in photosynthetic apparatus, and 4) improved phenotype consecutively.
Soluble receptors are soluble forms of receptors found in the extracellular space. They have emerged as pivotal regulators of cellular signaling and disease pathogenesis. This review emphasizes their ...significance in cancer as diagnostic/prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. We provide an overview of the mechanisms by which soluble receptors are generated along with their functions. By exploring their involvement in cancer progression, metastasis, and immune evasion, we highlight the importance of soluble receptors, particularly soluble cytokine receptors and immune checkpoints, in the tumor microenvironment. Although current research has illustrated the emerging clinical relevance of soluble receptors, their therapeutic applications remain underexplored. As the landscape of cancer treatment evolves, understanding and targeting soluble receptors might pave the way for novel strategies for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Stress-induced glucocorticoids disturb mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics; however, instead of being removed via mitophagy, the damaged mitochondria accumulate. Therefore, we investigate the ...role of glucocorticoids in mitophagy inhibition and subsequent synaptic defects in hippocampal neurons, SH-SY5Y cells, and ICR mice. First, we observe that glucocorticoids decrease both synaptic density and vesicle recycling due to suppressed mitophagy. Screening data reveal that glucocorticoids downregulate BNIP3-like (BNIP3L)/NIX, resulting in the reduced mitochondrial respiration function and synaptic density. Notably, we find that glucocorticoids direct the glucocorticoid receptor to bind directly to the PGC1α promoter, downregulating its expression and nuclear translocation. PGC1α downregulation selectively decreases NIX-dependent mitophagy. Consistent with these results, NIX enhancer pre-treatment of a corticosterone-exposed mouse elevates mitophagy and synaptic density in hippocampus, improving the outcome of a spatial memory task. In conclusion, glucocorticoids inhibit mitophagy via downregulating NIX and that NIX activation represents a potential target for restoring synapse function.
In recent years, digital X-ray imaging detectors with indirect detection technology have been widely used in dental digital radiography such as intra-oral, panorama and dental CT. These indirect ...X-ray imaging detectors are based on the combination of a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array with various high-resolution scintillating screens such as CsI, GOS materials. Currently, a CMOS panel-based indirect X-ray imaging detector with low radiation dose and excellent spatial resolution has been widely utilized for digital intra-oral radiography. In this work, different high-resolution scintillation screens such as FOS (fiber optic scintillator) with needle structured CsI:Tl and Gd2O2S:Tb(GOS) materials with different mass density(or screen thickness) were used to investigate and optimize the imaging characterization. The used different FOS screens are a highly X-ray absorption material that minimizes and removes the direct X-ray induced noise. The used scintillator's configuration parameters were tested and optimized for superior image quality at low X-ray exposure condition. For image characterization and optimization of the X-ray image device, different scintillating screens were directly combined on the bare high-resolution CMOS photodiode array. The imaging performance such as the relative light response to same X-ray exposure dose, modulation transfer function (MTF) and X-ray imaging with a tooth phantom was measured under practical dental condition with 60-65 kVp tube voltage and 10 mA tube current. The X-ray imaging with high spatial resolution could be implemented through the experimental results with a CMOS imaging detector using different FOS with CsI and GOS materials.
Here, we demonstrate that electroporation-enhanced immunization with a rationally designed HPV DNA vaccine (GX-188E), preferentially targeting HPV antigens to dendritic cells, elicits a significant ...E6/E7-specific IFN-γ-producing T-cell response in all nine cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) patients. Importantly, eight out of nine patients exhibit an enhanced polyfunctional HPV-specific CD8 T-cell response as shown by an increase in cytolytic activity, proliferative capacity and secretion of effector molecules. Notably, seven out of nine patients display complete regression of their lesions and viral clearance within 36 weeks of follow up. GX-188E administration does not elicit serious vaccine-associated adverse events at all administered doses. These findings indicate that the magnitude of systemic polyfunctional CD8 T-cell response is the main contributing factor for histological, cytological and virological responses, providing valuable insights into the design of therapeutic vaccines for effectively treating persistent infections and cancers in humans.
Based on phase-space structures of quantum states, we propose a novel measure to quantify macroscopic quantum superpositions. Our measure simultaneously quantifies two different kinds of essential ...information for a given quantum state in a harmonious manner: the degree of quantum coherence and the effective size of the physical system that involves the superposition. It enjoys remarkably good analytical and algebraic properties. It turns out to be the most general and inclusive measure ever proposed that it can be applied to any types of multipartite states and mixed states represented in phase space.
PDF
