Search Results (14,337)

The small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-kinase (ROCK) have emerged as pivotal regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction, endothelial function, and vascular remodeling. Activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway enhances calcium (Ca²⁺) sensitivity by inhibiting myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), thereby promoting sustained vascular tone independent of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. In endothelial cells (ECs), RhoA/ROCK signaling contributes to nitric oxide (NO) dysregulation, oxidative stress, cytoskeletal reorganization, and inflammatory activation. Cumulative evidence implicates this pathway in the development and progression of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, where maladaptive vascular remodeling, VSMC proliferation, and endothelial dysfunction drive increased vascular resistance. Translational studies have identified ROCK inhibitors and indirect modulators such as statins as promising therapeutic strategies. This review integrates recent mechanistic insights into RhoA/ROCK regulation of vascular function with clinical and translational perspectives on targeting this pathway in hypertension. Full article

Rhodotorula spp. are ubiquitous red-pigmented yeasts increasingly reported as opportunistic animal pathogens. Recognition matters because underdiagnosis can misguide therapy, especially in companion-animal otitis externa. This review supports laboratory and clinical decisions by summarising taxonomy and ecology, host risk factors, diagnostics, virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility, and veterinary cases. This review addresses: (1) taxonomy and ecology; (2) clinical epidemiology and predisposing factors (immunomodulation, prior antibacterial therapy, chronic inflammation); (3) diagnostics—cytology, organism burden, repeat or pure culture, MALDI-TOF MS, ITS sequencing—with a brief comparison of feasibility in veterinary practice; (4) virulence factors—adhesion and biofilm on abiotic surfaces, hydrolytic enzymes, capsule in some strains, haemolysins, urease, and carotenoids that protect against oxidative stress; (5) antifungal susceptibility and therapy—intrinsic resistance to echinocandins, often high azole MICs, and the most consistent in vitro activity of amphotericin B ± flucytosine; and (6) a synthesis of veterinary case reports. Rhodotorula spp. should not be dismissed as contaminants when clinical signs match laboratory evidence; distinguishing infection from colonisation requires clinicomicrobiological correlation. This review highlights the need for standardised susceptibility testing and veterinary breakpoints, prospective data on burden and outcomes, better data on biofilm behaviour on clinical materials, environmental surveillance, and practical diagnostic and treatment guidance. Full article

The article presents a numerical model of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) transformer rated at 13.8 kVA, equipped with windings made of 2G ReBCO tapes. The model was developed to analyze the coupled electromagnetic and thermal phenomena occurring during the inrush current period of transformer energization. It describes the dynamic processes of critical current exceedance, resistive zone formation, and local temperature rise within the superconducting tape structure under realistic operating conditions. The geometry of the ReBCO tape is represented with its active superconducting layer and metallic stabilizer layers. Temperature-dependent material properties of each layer, such as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity, are incorporated into the model. This approach enables a detailed analysis of the temperature distribution across all layers of the superconducting tape. The results indicate that the highest thermal stress occurs during the first inrush current peak, whose amplitude exceeds the critical current of the winding. At this stage, a distinct temperature rise is observed in the stabilizer layers, followed by gradual cooling in subsequent cycles of operation. The simulated current and temperature waveforms show good agreement with experimental measurements performed on a liquid-nitrogen-cooled transformer prototype. The developed model enables quantitative evaluation of local overheating risks, analysis of Joule loss distribution, and assessment of the influence of supply parameters and circuit impedance on the thermal stability of the system. Its application supports the optimization of HTS transformer design and provides valuable insight into the reliability of superconducting windings under transient inrush current conditions. Full article

Microalgae grow rapidly, require minimal space, can proliferate in non-agricultural land, do not compete with human food sources, and can be cultivated in a variety of environments, including wastewater. They are considered an ecological source of bioactive compounds, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional industrial production methods, which are often resource-intensive. It is important to emphasize that both the species of microalgae and the specific culture conditions play a decisive role in the generation and storage of valuable bioactive compounds, which can act as biostimulants. Biostimulants are organic compounds or microorganisms capable of enhancing crop quality parameters by optimizing nutrient and water use efficiency, while also strengthening tolerance to abiotic stress. The aim of this article is to provide an updated understanding of biostimulants, their modes of action, and their role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. It further incorporates examples of successful trials that demonstrate the advantageous applications of microalgae-based biostimulants, while also addressing the barriers and limitations to their commercialization and integration into sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

This narrative review explores the role of artificial light at night (ALAN) as an emerging environmental determinant of liver and metabolic health, with particular emphasis on its contribution to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The objective was to synthesize and critically evaluate experimental and epidemiological evidence linking nocturnal light exposure, circadian disruption, and hepatic metabolic alterations. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases covering the period 1980–2025 using predefined search terms related to ALAN, circadian rhythm disturbance, melatonin suppression, sleep disruption, and MASLD. Relevant experimental studies in animal models and observational studies in humans were included. Evidence indicates that blue-enriched light (~460–480 nm) suppresses melatonin, desynchronizes central and hepatic circadian clocks, and disrupts glucose–lipid metabolism, leading to insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and hepatic steatosis. Chronic ALAN exposure also alters gut microbiota composition and increases intestinal permeability, suggesting a light–gut–liver axis in MASLD pathogenesis. Human epidemiological studies associate higher environmental ALAN exposure with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and poor sleep quality—recognized risk factors for MASLD. Recognizing ALAN as a modifiable environmental exposure highlights the need for public health strategies and clinical guidelines to mitigate its metabolic impact through improved lighting design and sleep hygiene. Full article

Growth regulatory factors (GRFs) are sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors that play pivotal roles in regulating plant growth and development, and in enhancing plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although genome-wide structural and evolutionary studies have mapped and analyzed GRF genes in different plant species, knowledge of their characteristics and functions in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) remains limited. In this study, we used bioinformatics analyses and transgenic experiments to systematically analyze the structure and function of these genes. A total of 17 HaGRF genes were identified and classified into four distinct clades, with members of the same clade sharing conserved exon-intron structures and domain architectures. All HaGRFs were predicted to localize to the nucleus, which was experimentally verified for HaGRF2c, HaGRF3, and HaGRF8c. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated tissue-specific expression and stress-responsive profiles among the HaGRF genes. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that several HaGRF genes were significantly induced under polyethylene glycol and NaCl stress. Additionally, ectopic expression of HaGRF2c in Arabidopsis enhanced growth and conferred greater drought tolerance, supporting its dual functions in regulating growth and in adapting to stress. In summary, this research elucidates the evolutionary relationships, conserved structural characteristics, expression patterns, and roles of the HaGRF gene family in sunflowers. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the biological functions of GRF transcription factors in sunflowers but also provide valuable candidate genes for improving yield and stress resistance in H. annuus. Full article

Auxetic metamaterials, characterized by negative Poisson’s ratio, have garnered significant interest due to their exceptional impact resistance. This study presents a type of auxetic metamaterial organized in re-entrant arrowhead lattices. The uniaxial impact behavior of a uniform auxetic lattice was first investigated through experiment and finite element simulation, which showed good agreement. Subsequently, two graded auxetic lattices with density-gradient profiles were proposed by varying the radius of the bars in the basic auxetic lattice. Numerical simulations demonstrate that, across various compression velocities, both graded architectures achieve higher plateau stresses and enhanced energy absorption compared to their uniform counterpart. Notably, the graded lattice with lower density at the impact end exhibited a reduced initial peak stress. An analytical framework was also established to characterize the compressive behavior of these auxetic lattices. Theoretical analyses elucidate the underlying mechanisms of impact energy dissipation and provide a solid basis for predicting dynamic compressive performance. Furthermore, a gradient-parametric study revealed that the stress–strain response is significantly influenced by both the density gradient and impact velocity, further demonstrating a high consistency between the theoretical predictions and the simulation results. This research is desirable to provide insights for designing graded auxetic metamaterials with tailored impact properties. Full article

Soil salinization severely threatens global crop production. Understanding the relationship between crop saline–alkaline tolerance physiology and the rhizosphere microbiome, and leveraging beneficial microorganisms to enhance crop stress resistance, holds importance for sustainable agricultural development. This study investigated the physiological and rhizosphere microbial responses of two soybean cultivars with different saline–alkaline tolerance to stress. Under saline–alkaline conditions, the tolerant cultivar exhibited superior physiological performance, including higher chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT), alongside reduced oxidative damage (MDA) and greater biomass accumulation. Combined metagenomic and physiological analyses revealed significant correlations of Bradyrhizobium and Solirubrobacter with key physiological indicators, including dry weight, PI_ABS, φₚₒ, and MDA. The tolerant cultivar selectively enriched distinct marker microbes, such as Bradyrhizobium sp. and Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, in its rhizosphere. We conclude that the tolerant cultivar exhibits strong intrinsic physiological resistance. This resistance is further enhanced by a beneficially assembled rhizosphere microbiome, while the host plant’s physiology remains the dominant factor. Full article

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, primarily driven by oxidative stress–induced degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Erythropoietin (EPO), a hematopoietic cytokine with neuroprotective properties, has been shown to reduce apoptosis and retinal degeneration. In this study, we examined the cytoprotective role of a non-erythropoietic EPO variant, EPO-R76E, in suppressing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction related to oxidative stress in RPE cells. Stable ARPE-19 cell lines expressing EPO-R76E were generated via lentiviral transduction and exposed to paraquat to induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was induced using paraquat. EPO-R76E expression conferred increased cell viability and resistance to mitochondrial damage, as assessed by cytotoxicity assays. Western blot analysis revealed reduced expression of ferritin and p62/SQSTM1, diminished activation of p-AMPK and NRF2, and restoration of GPX4 levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant defenses. Moreover, intracellular iron accumulation and reactive oxygen species were significantly reduced in EPO-R76E-expressing cells exposed to paraquat. These findings suggest that EPO-R76E promotes mitochondrial homeostasis and modulates oxidative stress pathways. Our study positions EPO-R76E as a promising therapeutic candidate for halting RPE degeneration in AMD. Full article

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara halstedii, is a major threat to sunflower production worldwide, leading to severe yield losses. Since resistance in sunflower hybrids can be easily broken by the pathogen, it is important to find alternative and sustainable control methods against this disease. This study investigated the potential use of NeemAzal^®-T/S (a neem-based biopesticide formulation) to induce antioxidant defense responses in sunflower seedlings inoculated with P. halstedii (pathotype 704). Its effects, alone, or in combination with a reduced dose of Mefenoxam, were evaluated under controlled conditions. Plant height, sporulation, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, POX, and PPO), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents were measured. Our results indicate that the antioxidant responses of seedlings varied according to the treatment. MDA levels decreased even when NeemAzal^®-T/S was applied alone, while H₂O₂ production only decreased when both treatments were applied combined. Overall, NeemAzal^®-T/S can be a valuable alternative strategy to help control sunflower downy mildew, since it reduced sporulation and MDA content, and increased APX, POX, and PPO activities even at a later stage of infection in susceptible seedlings. These findings indicate that NeemAzal^®-T/S can activate defense mechanisms associated with oxidative stress reduction in sunflower, offering a promising strategy to help manage downy mildew in a more sustainable manner. Full article

Pierce’s disease (PD), caused by the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, poses a significant threat to global grapevine (Vitis vinifera) production. Despite its economic importance, the dynamic molecular mechanisms underlying grapevine responses to infection remain poorly understood. This study re-analyzed the publicly available RNA-seq dataset GSE152164 to characterize phase-dependent transcriptional reprogramming during PD progression. Differential expression analysis using DESeq2 identified 1093 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during the early infection phase (Phase I) and 136 in the intermediate phase (Phase II), indicating a strong early defense response followed by transcriptional downregulation as symptoms progressed. Comparative analysis distinguished 991 Phase-I-specific and 34 Phase-II-specific genes, along with 167 infection-specific temporal DEGs, underscoring a coordinated early immune response and subsequent metabolic repression. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified 21 high-confidence hub genes, including chitinase (VIT_16s0050g02220), thaumatin-like protein (VIT_02s0025g04250), and EDS1 (VIT_17s0000g07560), which represent core regulators of defense and stress adaptation pathways. Collectively, this study elucidates the transcriptional dynamics underlying V. vinifera responses to X. fastidiosa and provides valuable insights for developing disease-resistant cultivars to mitigate Pierce’s disease. Full article

Drought stress is a major constraint on watermelon production worldwide. Conventional phenotyping methods for drought tolerance are often low-throughput and fail to capture dynamic physiological responses. This study validated the high-throughput phenotyping platform (Plantarray 3.0) against conventional methods by dynamically evaluating drought tolerance across 30 genetically diverse watermelon accessions. The Plantarray system quantified key dynamic traits, including transpiration rate (TR), transpiration maintenance ratio (TMR), and transpiration recovery ratios (TRRs), revealing distinct drought-response strategies. Principal component analysis (PCA) of these dynamic traits explained 96.4% of the total variance (PC1: 75.5%, PC2: 20.9%), clearly differentiating genotypes. A highly significant correlation (R = 0.941, p < 0.001) was found between the comprehensive drought tolerance rankings derived from Plantarray and conventional phenotyping. We identified five genotypes as highly tolerant and four as highly sensitive. The elite drought-tolerant germplasm, notably the wild species PI 537300 (Citrullus colocynthis) and the cultivated variety G42 (Citrullus lanatus), exhibited superior physiological performance and recovery capacity. The results demonstrate that the Plantarray system not only efficiently screens for drought tolerance but also provides deep insights into dynamic resistance mechanisms, offering a powerful tool and valuable genetic resources for breeding climate-resilient watermelon cultivars. Full article

DH36 high-strength steel is widely used in shipbuilding and other fields due to its excellent strength, low-temperature toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, the harsh deep-sea environment seriously reduces the service life of welds. In this study we subjected DH36 welded joints to laser shock peening at three different energy levels (5 J, 7 J, 9 J) to investigate its effects on microhardness, microstructure, high-cycle fatigue, and residual stress of the DH36 welded joints. Results indicate that LSP can significantly enhance the surface microhardness of welded joints. Notably, the 7 J energy treatment increased the weld zone microhardness from 195 HV_0.2 to 231 HV_0.2 (18.5% improvement) and the heat-affected zone microhardness from 194 HV_0.2 to 234 HV_0.2 (20.6% improvement). Residual tensile stress on the specimen surface was offset and replaced by residual compressive stress after LSP. Concurrently, the high-cycle fatigue limit of the specimens was significantly improved, with the most pronounced improvement observed in specimens subjected to 5 J energy—increasing from 258 MPa to 295 MPa, representing an increase of 14.34%. Full article

To clarify the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) seed soaking on the germination and stress resistance of different edible bean seeds, seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. ‘Keda Green No. 2’), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. ‘Keda Cowpea No. 1’), and red bean (Vigna umbellata Thunb. ‘Jihong 352’) were soaked in a 50 mmol/L H₂O₂ solution. The study examined the germination and growth-related physiological indices of seeds after soaking. The results showed that hydrogen-peroxide-primed seeds of mung bean (GBH), cowpea (CBH), and red bean (RBH) exhibited significant improvements in germination performance and physiological activity compared with their respective controls (GBCK, CBCK, and RBCK). The results indicated that H₂O₂ soaking significantly improved the germination ability of the seeds, with the germination rate of mung beans, cowpeas, and red beans increasing by 48.89%, 21.11%, and 18.89%, respectively, and the germination percentage increasing by 31.11%, 24.45%, and 17.77%. Additionally, H₂O₂ soaking enhanced the activity of α-amylase, protease, and the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT); increased the soluble sugar and soluble protein content in the seeds; and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The experiment demonstrated that H₂O₂ promotes the germination of mung bean, cowpea, and red bean seeds by influencing antioxidant enzyme activity, the breakdown of storage substances, and the regulation of germination-related substances, thereby improving seedling adaptation to environmental stress. This study aims to improve the germination rate of legume seeds using H₂O₂ treatment, providing a theoretical basis for techniques to enhance seed vigor, especially for seeds that perform poorly in germination under normal conditions. Full article

Two Ni-AlSi12 coatings were prepared using mechanical alloying (MA) and mechanical alloying followed by laser cladding (LC), respectively. Phase composition and microstructure variations caused by powder weight ratio and laser-specific energy were thoroughly analyzed in this study. Mechanical properties and oxidation behavior are markedly improved by subsequent laser cladding. The MA-LC coating, characterized by high densification and crack-free properties, presents a homogeneous microstructure with refined features. Microhardness testing reveals a marked superiority of the MA-LC coating over the conventional MA coating. The nano-hardness of MA-LC coating is 9.79 GPa, exhibiting that it is 6.84 times the nano-hardness of the MA sample. Owing to metallurgical bonding, the MA-LC coating possesses excellent scratch bonding performance. The MA-LC coating shows favorable oxidation behavior, due to the following three reasons: Firstly, oxygen diffusion can be effectively blocked by the compact Al₂O₃ oxide layer developed on the MA-LC coating surface, which reduces the oxidation velocity. Secondly, the coating’s mean grain dimensions demonstrate an increasing tendency after oxidation, which reduces the grain boundary serving as the oxygen diffusion channel. This enhancement significantly improves the coating’s oxidation resistance. Thirdly, analysis of the coating’s respective kernel average misorientation (KAM) map revealed a significant release of internal stress following 100 h oxidation, which can improve the coating’s resistance to spallation. Full article