Search Results (3,764)

Soil salinization severely limits forage crop productivity, yet the regulatory networks that govern salt stress adaptation in alfalfa, a moderately salt-tolerant leguminous forage, remain largely unexplored. Here, we examined the physiological and transcriptomic dynamics of alfalfa leaves under 200 mM NaCl stress across three time points. Salt stress induced a progressive elevation of the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, biphasic activation of antioxidant enzymes and concurrent accumulation of malondialdehyde. Time-course RNA-seq analysis identified 3631 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 132 core salt-responsive transcription factors (TFs). Pathway and functional annotation analyses indicated that these DEGs were prominently involved in cell wall biogenesis, redox homeostasis, and the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, with carotenoid accumulation strongly activated under salt stress. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), nine distinct co-expression clusters were constructed. Notably, the brown module, which showed a positive correlation with Na⁺ accumulation and the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, was significantly enriched in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, within which 72.7% of the enriched genes belonged to the TIFY family. Among them, a core hub gene, MsTIFY11B, was isolated for functional characterization. Subcellular localization demonstrated that MsTIFY11B is exclusively localized to the nucleus. Heterologous expression in yeast showed that MsTIFY11B overexpression enhanced tolerance to salinity and alkalinity, whereas it conferred negligible protection against mannitol-induced drought stress. Taken together, our findings provide a comprehensive temporal framework of the alfalfa transcriptomic response to salinity and suggest that MsTIFY11B may contribute to salt–alkali tolerance, making it a promising candidate for further functional characterization and potential application in the development of stress-adapted alfalfa varieties. Full article

Modern manufacturing enterprises are increasingly transitioning to multi-variety, small-batch production. This shift introduces significant scheduling challenges, particularly due to the job hierarchy constraints inherent in assembling multi-level intermediate parts. Furthermore, non-machining preparation times—such as tool switching, material handling, and equipment standby—significantly impact production efficiency. To address these challenges, this paper investigates the flexible job shop batch scheduling problem by integrating order and operation consolidation under strict job hierarchy constraints. To mathematically formulate the scheduling problem with non-serial operation precedence networks and dynamic batching, we develop a mixed-integer programming model. The primary objective is to simultaneously minimize the maximum completion time (makespan) and total tardiness. To solve this efficiently, an Improved Grey Wolf Optimization (IGWO) algorithm is proposed. The algorithm features a novel two-tier coding scheme tailored for consolidation logic and employs a hybrid population initialization strategy to enhance initial solution quality. Moreover, it improves the standard hunting mechanism, utilizes Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) for local exploitation, and independently applies a Simulated Annealing (SA) dynamic acceptance mechanism to balance global exploration and local exploitation. Extensive experiments using small-, medium-, and large-scale industrial data from a power station valve manufacturer validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm in optimizing complex batch scheduling schemes. Full article

Soil salinization poses a significant challenge to soybean production, yet the regulatory mechanisms underlying root responses to salt stress remain incompletely understood. In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns, subcellular localization, and functions of overexpressed GmJAZ5 in soybean roots. Under salt stress, GmJAZ5 expression was consistently downregulated in leaves, whereas roots exhibited initial suppression followed by a recovery phase. The GmJAZ5 protein was localized to the nucleus. GmJAZ5 overexpression markedly attenuated salt-induced growth inhibition and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT). This manipulation also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and decreased both Na⁺ content and the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in leaves. Additionally, it exerted tissue-specific effects on jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) levels. These results indicate that overexpression of GmJAZ5 enhances salt tolerance in soybean by strengthening antioxidant defenses, limiting Na⁺ translocation, and modulating phytohormone homeostasis, highlighting its potential as a candidate gene for breeding salt-tolerant soybean varieties. Full article

Plastid-localized glycerol‑3‑phosphate acyltransferase (ATS1) catalyzes the initial acylation step in the prokaryotic branch of glycerolipid biosynthesis and is pivotal for membrane lipid remodeling. In this study, we investigated the role of Arabidopsis thaliana ATS1 (AtATS1) in salt tolerance using transgenic Brassica napus lines overexpressing AtATS1 and wild-type plants. Under 150 mM salt stress, AtATS1-overexpressing lines exhibited significantly compromised tolerance, characterized by severe growth inhibition and cotyledon abscission compared to wild-type plants. Physiological assays further revealed that despite a hyper-induction of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD), the transgenic lines suffered from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating a failure to maintain redox homeostasis. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that AtATS1 overexpression disrupts the stress response by misallocating metabolic resources toward glucosinolate biosynthesis and constitutively repressing the MAPK signaling cascade (including WRKY42, MPK15, and MEKK1). In conclusion, these findings identify AtATS1 as a negative regulator of salt tolerance in B. napus. This study provides new insights into the link between lipid metabolism and abiotic stress responses and highlights the need for careful modulation of glycerolipid biosynthesis when engineering salt-resilient rapeseed varieties. Full article

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with considerable potential as a biotechnological platform for producing in vitro seedlings that serve both as sources of pharmacologically valuable phenolic compounds (PCs) and as potential biosorbents/chelators of heavy metals (HMs), including cadmium (Cd). The use of an in vitro culture system under strictly controlled conditions enables the identification of variety-specific responses in flax. The aim of this study was to compare the morphophysiological characteristics, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and phenylpropanoid (PP) and flavonoid (FL) contents in in vitro seedlings of two flax varieties—fiber flax (FF) and oilseed flax (OF)—grown under control conditions and in the presence of Cd (60 and 100 μM). The stem mesostructure was also examined, as the stem is the principal organ responsible for metal transport via its vascular tissues. Our results showed that Cd exposure induced only minor changes in the morphophysiological characteristics of both flax varieties. Using a standardized in vitro system, we demonstrate for the first time that OF accumulated approximately 40% more Cd than FF at both metal concentrations. LPO, assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) content, remained relatively stable across all treatments, except for a significant increase in OF exposed to 100 μM Cd. Analysis of the phenolic profile revealed that, in FF, the total phenolic content (TPC) and PP content increased relative to the control at 100 μM Cd, indicating the induction of PC-mediated antioxidant defense. In contrast, OF exhibited reduced PP and FL contents under both Cd treatments. Cytochemical analysis revealed a similar localization pattern for Cd and PC, with both accumulating predominantly in the stem epidermis of the in vitro-grown seedlings. However, the two flax types differed markedly in their accumulation profiles: OF accumulated higher levels of Cd, indicating its potential use as a biosorbent for this pollutant, whereas FF exhibited higher PC accumulation, suggesting its suitability as a natural source of PCs. These findings demonstrate that flax responses to Cd exposure are variety-specific. Full article

Background: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play pivotal roles in plant growth, abiotic stress responses, detoxification of xenobiotics, and maintenance of redox homeostasis. Methods: In this study, transcriptomic analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pea cultivar DX27 under freezing stress (−4 °C) at 3, 6, and 12 h. Results:GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of global transcriptomic data further reveal that DEGs are significantly enriched in the following functional categories: oxidation–reduction processes, stress responses, glutathione metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. A total of 52 PsatGST genes were identified and classified into nine subfamilies based on phylogenetic relationships. Chromosomal localization revealed a non-random distribution across seven chromosomes. Promoter cis-element analysis indicated that PsatGST genes harbor diverse regulatory elements associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling (auxin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, salicylic acid, and MeJA), and abiotic/biotic stress responses. PsatGSTF2 expression analysis showed pronounced up-regulation under freezing stress (−4 °C) at 3, 6, and 12 h. Conclusions: These findings provide a foundational framework for understanding the evolutionary history and functional diversification of the PsatGST gene family and offer valuable candidate genes for the breeding of stress-tolerant pea varieties. Full article

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role throughout the plant life cycle and in adaptive responses to environmental stresses. The pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR/PYL/RCAR) proteins act as key regulators in the ABA signal transduction pathway by functioning as direct receptors for ABA. Although PYL genes have been identified in a variety of plant species, their evolutionary and structural characteristics in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) remain elusive. To address this gap, we identified nine SlPYL genes, which were classified into three subfamilies: I (two genes), II (three genes), and III (four genes), and their encoded proteins were predicted to be primarily localized in the cytosol and chloroplast. Structural analysis revealed diverse exon–intron organizations along with five conserved motifs. All identified SlPYLs contained the START domain (PF10604), validating their identity as actual PYL proteins. Prediction of cis-acting regulatory elements in SlPYL’s promoter regions was found to be associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling, stress responses, and plant growth and development. Prediction of post-translational modification sites indicated that SlPYLs are predominantly phosphorylated and acetylated at serine and lysine residues, respectively. Tertiary structure modeling demonstrated conserved three-dimensional architectures among SlPYL proteins, supporting their functional conservation. Expression profiling revealed that specific SlPYL genes exhibit distinct expression patterns across different tissues (root, leaf, and bud) following ABA treatment, indicating functional diversification. Considering the well-established negative correlation between ABA accumulation and bud outgrowth, the ABA-induced differential expression (3~5-fold) of some SlPYL genes (SlPYL3, SlPYL4, SlPYL7, and SlPYL8), particularly in bud tissues after 24 hpt, suggests a potential role in ABA-mediated suppression of bud outgrowth. However, these functional inferences are primarily based on genome-wide computational analyses and expression profiling and therefore require further experimental validation. Full article

Climate change increasingly endangers precious indigenous sheep germplasm resources distributed across diverse Chinese landscapes, and systematically decoding their polygenic climate-adaptive genetic mechanisms is essential for targeted breed conservation and long-term sustainable pastoral production. Whole-genome resequencing data from 93 individuals covering six representative local sheep breeds were analyzed in this work. After filtering highly collinear climate variables, three mature landscape genomic approaches were jointly applied to identify environment-linked gene variants, while two predictive metrics across ten CMIP6 future climate scenarios quantified each breed’s long-term adaptive risks. Six temperature- and water-related environmental factors jointly drove sheep population genetic differentiation, with temperature fluctuation indices showing markedly stronger explanatory power. Detected adaptive genes were significantly enriched in ion transport, energy metabolism and cellular stress response pathways. Future projections indicated western breeds (Bayinbuluke, Cele Black, Xiahe) face severe maladaptation risks under high-emission SSP370 scenarios by 2100, whereas central and eastern breeds possess much broader climate tolerance. This study systematically reveals the core genomic basis of ovine climate adaptation and quantifies distinct breed-specific climate vulnerability, providing solid reliable theoretical support for precision germplasm conservation and selective breeding of climate-resilient sheep varieties. Full article

Promoting digital transformation is one of the important directions for the logistics industry to break through the bottleneck of development and achieve high-quality development. This study takes the logistics enterprises listed in China’s A-share market from 2017 to 2024 as the research sample and uses the two-way fixed-effect model and intermediary-effect model to systematically investigate the impact of digital transformation on the operational efficiency of logistics enterprises and its mechanism. The research draws the following conclusions. First, digital transformation is positively associated with the operational efficiency of logistics enterprises and can pass a variety of robustness tests. Second, the mechanism test shows that innovation capability plays an important intermediary role between digital transformation and the operational efficiency of logistics enterprises. Third, the heterogeneity analysis found that for small-scale enterprises and enterprises in the eastern region, the positive impact is more prominent. Therefore, the actual effect of digital transformation is highly dependent on the enterprise’s own attributes and external environment. Policy making needs to be tailored to local conditions and accurately classified. Full article

Yiyuan jade, a specific gem-quality jade variety in the East Qinling Orogen, occurs as lenticular and vein-shaped bodies hosted within the dolomite and biotite-quartz marble of the Neoproterozoic Meiyaogou Formation. Based on detailed petrological and mineralogical characterization, three subtypes are defined: tremolite jade (nephrite), serpentine jade (a green variety of serpentine group minerals that resembles true jade), and their transitional varieties. Among these, tremolite jade is predominantly white, moon-white, and light green, whereas serpentine jade (gem-quality serpentine) exhibits dark green, yellow-green, and yellow coloration. Comprehensive mineral composition analyses are presented, encompassing amphibole, serpentine, carbonate minerals, and titanite in metagabbro, aiming to constrain the physicochemical conditions and genetic model of these jades. We propose that tremolite jade and serpentine jade are probably formed simultaneously via metasomatic processes, primarily governed by variations in fluid volume and the activities of SiO₂ and CO₂. The serpentine jade is interpreted as serpentinized marble, within which local serpentine aggregation forms serpentine jade akin to Lantian jade in the western East Qinling region. The tremolite jade closely resembles Hetian tremolite jade within geochemical and mineralogical characteristics but differs significantly from serpentine-type tremolite jade associated with ultramafic rocks, thereby confirming its classification as dolomite-type jade. Application of the Ti-in-tremolite geothermometer yields a formation temperature exceeding 400 °C. Integrated with regional geochronological constraints, our findings link the formation of Yiyuan tremolite jade and serpentine jade to tectonic activity driven by the Late Devonian subduction of the Erlangping back-arc basin. This study not only enhances the current understanding of jade mineralization within collisional orogenic settings but also establishes a robust foundation for future exploration in the East Qinling Orogen. Full article

Health systems are fundamental to ensuring the right to health and maintaining the stability of welfare states. In this broad framework, this narrative review takes a look at Italy and China—two countries with very different historical backgrounds and institutional paths—as they deal with challenges like demographic aging, increasing chronic illnesses, and ongoing disparities in access to care. This paper aims to examine the most relevant peer-reviewed studies, as well as current legal and policy documents, in order to outline a comparative overview of the approaches to financing, coverage, and service provision in Italy and China, two very different countries. The Italian National Health Service, financed through general taxation and designed to be universal, aims to ensure equitable access to healthcare while having to contend with significant regional differences and financial difficulties. On the other hand, China, which operates with a mixed model, has rapidly expanded its insurance coverage using a variety of schemes and embracing technological advances, which has enabled large-scale access to healthcare, although considerable differences remain between urban and rural areas and provinces. When compared, each system shows particular strengths: Italy’s local care networks and focus on continuous services offer a model for inclusive welfare, while China’s use of digital tools demonstrates how innovation might help overcome obstacles in settings with limited resources and maintain continuity of care. There is a noticeable overlap in how both countries handle chronic diseases and their shared concern for equity in health policy. Considering these points, mixed approaches that combine universal coverage, financial viability, and flexible use of technology could provide useful ideas for crafting more fair, effective, and resilient health policies in various settings. Rather than proposing direct policy transfer, the comparison identifies context-dependent strategies that may inform future healthcare reforms. Full article

Piezoelectric transducers have been extensively investigated for their widespread use in a variety of sensing and actuation applications. Among them, cylindrical piezoelectric transducers have received less attention despite their strong potential. The aim of this work is to investigate vibration mode shape control by introducing axial and circumferential steps in the thickness of these transducers. The efficacy of introducing these steps has been investigated through ANSYS simulations and is subsequently validated using Laser Scanning Vibrometer to obtain the mode shapes experimentally. Electrical impedance measurements have also been done to obtain the resonance and anti-resonance frequencies and the effective electromechanical coupling factor. The results show that steps can control vibration through two mechanisms. (i) Circumferential steps can excite modes whose circumferential mode numbers match the number of steps. These specific modes occur within a frequency range that is entirely absent in uniform thickness transducers. (ii) Axial steps can localize and amplify the vibration amplitude for axial vibration modes. Having validated the efficacy of these steps in controlling vibration modes, some experiments were done to evaluate the effect of these steps on the performance of these transducers as acoustic actuators. The strength of the acoustic field generated inside these transducers was measured experimentally using a precision microphone and it was shown that the stepped transducers can generate around 1.5 times stronger acoustic field as compared to the uniform thickness transducer. Electrical impedance results revealed that stepped transducers had lower effective electromechanical coupling factors. However, this may suggest they can provide narrowband transducers which may have numerous precision applications. These results may suggest that employing steps could control vibration, enhance the performance of cylindrical piezoelectric transducers and improve their uptake as sensors or actuators for biomedical or food industries as well as other industrial applications. Full article

As survival for cancer patients improves, the incidence of brain metastases has risen. This is likely due to improved systemic disease control, increased diligence in surveillance imaging in high-risk pathologies, improved neuro-imaging techniques and increased systemic screening for clinical trial enrollment. While there are well-established treatments for brain metastases, many patients will experience recurrence after definitive treatment. The management of these recurrent lesions is not well established and often varies on a per-patient basis, owing to the clinical complexity and variety of these patients. Patients with recurrent brain metastases have surgical procedural options to achieve local tumor control, including laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) repeat open surgical resection with or without placement of intracavity brachytherapy. Repeat resection can offer rapid improvement in neurological symptoms, performance status, and potentially survival. LITT is less invasive than a standard craniotomy but offers a chance at directed local treatment while still obtaining tissue for diagnostic purposes and achieving acceptable survival outcomes. Further study is needed to determine the role of LITT for recurrent brain metastases, but it is a useful tool, particularly for patients with deep-seated lesions who may not tolerate a large surgery. Intracavitary brachytherapy allows for the immediate delivery of highly conformal radiation to the surgical bed with excellent local control and low rates of radiation necrosis, even in previously irradiated patients. The decision regarding which of the above to employ for recurrent brain metastases will vary on a case-by-case basis, and further studies are needed to standardize their use for this growing problem. Full article

Background/Objectives: Local anesthetics (LAs) are used in a variety of different contexts, from loco-regional anesthesia to analgesia. In cardiothoracic surgery, fascial plane blocks are deserving of attention, including erector spinae plane block (ESPB). In this context, ropivacaine is convenient, due to its peculiar pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. Nevertheless, LAs can still cause systemic toxicity (LAST), due to erroneous injection and/or variable systemic adsorption/distribution. This interindividual pharmacokinetic variability can be intensified by the tendency to use a fixed ropivacaine dose in ESPB. The aims of this work were investigating systemic exposure to ropivacaine during ESPB in the context of cardiac and thoracic surgery, comparing it to the literature-reported maximum tolerated concentrations, and identifying potential predictors of exposure. Methods: Patients receiving ultrasound-guided injection of 40 mL of ropivacaine 0.375% solution for ESPB were enrolled. Arterial blood was sampled at 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 180 min after the injection, and total and free concentrations of ropivacaine were determined by means of LC-MS/MS analysis of arterial plasma. Results: Concentrations showed wide variability, particularly during the first hour post-dose. Significant differences were observed between patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgery, with the latter showing higher concentrations, potentially above the cutoff values predictive of LAST. Pharmacokinetic differences were mainly explained by anthropometric (body weight and BSA) and clinical/hemodynamic (NYHA score) characteristics. Conclusions: This study shows that about 5% of patients could reach arterial plasma concentrations of ropivacaine above the cutoff level for LAST after ESPB with a 150 mg dose. Considering patients’ weight could be beneficial to maintain exposure below the toxicity cutoff. Full article

Articular cartilage defects remain a significant clinical challenge due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of cartilage and the inability of many current therapeutic approaches to restore the structure and function of native hyaline tissue. As a result, considerable research efforts have been directed toward the development of tissue-engineering and biomaterial-based strategies capable of promoting more effective regeneration. Among these, hydroxyapatite–hydrogel (HAp–hydrogel) composites have emerged as particularly promising candidates because they combine the biological functionality of HAp with the structural versatility of hydrogel networks. Hydrogels provide a highly hydrated, extracellular matrix-like environment that supports cell survival, facilitates matrix deposition, and enables the localized delivery of therapeutic agents. At the same time, their physicochemical properties can be tailored through a variety of crosslinking approaches and advanced responsive design strategies. The incorporation of HAp, either in nano- or microscale form, contributes to mechanical reinforcement, supports subchondral bone regeneration, and influences cellular behavior through both biochemical and mechanotransductive mechanisms. Beyond promoting chondrogenic differentiation, HAp–hydrogel composites have also been investigated for their capacity to modulate inflammation, stimulate angiogenesis within the subchondral region, provide antibacterial protection, and maintain a microenvironment conducive to tissue repair. This review critically examines recent advances in the development and application of HAp–hydrogel composites for cartilage regeneration, highlighting material design principles, fabrication strategies, healing mechanisms, and the key challenges that continue to influence their clinical translation. Full article