Search Results (2,653)

A major Chinese woody oil plant with unsaturated-fatty-acid-rich seeds for biodiesel and edible oil, Xanthoceras sorbifolium tolerates drought but not waterlogging; salicylic acid (SA), a key stress response signal, is inexpensive, safe, and effective for enhancing stress tolerance. Two-year-old saplings of Xanthoceras sorbifolium were used as materials. They were sprayed with 0.5 mmol·L⁻¹ SA for 3 days (based on prior studies), and then waterlogged for 10 days; physiological and transcriptomic data were collected. SA significantly increased height, diameter, and root dry weight by 392.6%, 450.0%, and 242.4% compared to water control; enhanced osmotic regulatory substances, antioxidant enzyme activities, secondary metabolites, and root activity; and reduced malondialdehyde content and relative electrical conductivity by 23.40% and 148.7%. SA-enhanced antioxidant defense correlated with synergistic transcriptional regulation. Transcriptome analysis showed that SA up-regulated key enzyme genes involved in flavonoid synthesis, such as PAL and 4CL, and regulated hormone signal transduction-related genes such as SAUR and DELLA. Key transcription factor genes were also screened, mainly including members of the MYB, bHLH, and ERF families. SA alleviated waterlogging damage. Meanwhile, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular basis of the response to waterlogging stress regulated by salicylic acid, and offers important theoretical and practical significance for the promotion and cultivation of Xanthoceras sorbifolium in rainy southern regions of China. Full article

Global atmospheric N₂O concentrations have risen to 335 ppb, with agricultural soils serving as a major emission source and rice paddies accounting for approximately 11% of agricultural N₂O emissions. Rice–crab co-culture has been widely adopted because of its potential to increase and stabilize crop yields; however, the underlying mechanisms of N₂O mitigation and the synergistic effects of crab bioturbation with water and nitrogen management remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a two-year field experiment in Zhaodong, Heilongjiang Province, China, to elucidate the N₂O mitigation effects of rice–crab co-culture under water and nitrogen regulation and the associated driving mechanisms. The results showed that rice–crab co-culture significantly reduced N₂O emissions. Specifically, the N₂O flux decreased by 19.9%, while cumulative N₂O emissions decreased by 19.8%. Under the combined regulation of water and nitrogen management, the mitigation effect on N₂O emissions was further enhanced, with a reduction of up to 30.8%. Regarding environmental factors, crab activity combined with shallow wet irrigation reduced soil water content and increased surface temperature. These changes promoted the transformation of nitrogen from inorganic forms to microbially assimilable forms, increasing the microbial nitrogen content by approximately 29.5%. Meanwhile, soil enzyme activities changed significantly: the activities of urease, sucrase, and protease increased, whereas nitrate reductase activity decreased. Structural equation modeling showed that the indirect effect of management practices was much greater than the direct effect, accounting for 63% of the total effect. Nitrogen transformation was the core mitigation pathway, characterized by the conversion of inorganic nitrogen into microbial biomass nitrogen, which reduced substrate availability for nitrification and denitrification. Enzyme activity regulation served as a secondary pathway, mainly through the inhibition of nitrate reductase activity. Overall, the rice–crab system achieved sustained N₂O reduction by improving soil aeration and jointly regulating substrate limitation and weakening nitrogen transformation capacity. Full article

The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) enables sustainable ammonia synthesis from nitrate waste, yet its complex mechanism and severe competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) demand precise control over interfacial electronic structures. This review provides a mechanistic overview of interfacial electron engineering for NO₃RR via charge transfer, d-band center modulation, and d-p orbital coupling. We propose a reverse-engineering framework that starts from the three kinetic bottlenecks of NO₃RR (nitrate activation, *H supply, and intermediate poisoning) and back-extracts the required electronic effects (charge transfer, d-band shift, and d-p orbital coupling). From this perspective, we cover the construction of built-in electric fields (BIEFs) in heterojunctions, engineering atomic-scale active sites (e.g., single-atom and dual-atom catalysts), and exploiting hydrogen spillover and reverse spillover for cross-spatial proton delivery. Given that rational interfaces dynamically evolve under operating conditions, we highlight that in situ/operando characterization captures the dynamic restructuring of valence states, coordination environments, and morphologies, establishing clear structure–electron–activity relationships. Finally, we discuss key challenges and outline future directions, including machine learning-accelerated screening, dynamic interface regulation, and synergistic integration of multiple electronic effects. This review offers a comprehensive framework for interfacial electron engineering, guiding rational design of next-generation NO₃RR electrocatalysts. Full article

Gibberellic acids (GAs) are a class of tetracyclic diterpene carboxylic acid compounds produced by green plants, fungi, and bacteria, which have a wide range of applications in agricultural production and food ingredients processing. Owing to the continuously growing market demand, enhancing GA yield has become imperative. The biosynthesis of GAs is a multi-enzymatic synergistic process that can be enhanced through genetic and metabolic engineering strategies. In this review, we first summarize recent advances in GA production by Fusarium fujikuroi. We then highlight key metabolic engineering strategies, including biosynthetic pathway engineering, cluster-specific channeling of geranylgeranyl diphosphate biosynthesis, cofactor engineering, as well as regulatory mechanisms involving nitrogen modulation and histone modification. Finally, we discuss promising approaches for constructing high-efficiency microbial cell factories, such as implementation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the application of strong promoters, the development of target-specific technologies for small molecules, and the employment of genome-scale metabolic models. Recent metabolic engineering efforts have achieved GA3 titers of up to 3.16 g/L through multi-target nitrogen regulation strategies, highlighting the potential for further yield improvement. Full article

Ecological porous concrete (EPC) offers both structural performance and ecosystem services, yet an inherent contradiction exists between the ecological benefits of high porosity and mechanical performance. Traditional design methods focusing solely on macro-scale porosity fail to achieve synergistic optimization. This review comprehensively synthesizes the intrinsic correlations between EPC’s multi-scale pore structures and key properties from micro-, meso-, and macro-scale perspectives, drawing upon representative studies across experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches. The microscale reveals interfacial transition zone bonding, capillary pore effects, and alkalinity regulation for vegetation compatibility. The mesoscale clarifies the control of effective porosity, tortuosity, and pore throats on fluid transport and root penetration. The macro-scale analyzes skeletal pore support for plant growth, hydrology, and slope stability. A cross-scale collaborative design approach is proposed, featuring microscopic reinforcement, mesoscopic continuity, and macroscopic moderation. This paper provides theoretical support for EPC’s transition from empirical to precision design, promoting low-carbon and large-scale applications in revetments, Sponge Cities, and slope restoration. Full article

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a highly aggressive malignancy with poor clinical outcomes. Although poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have shown promising activity in tumors with homologous recombination deficiency, their efficacy in BRCA wild-type HNSCC remains limited. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA damage may increase cellular dependence on DNA repair pathways and thereby enhance sensitivity to PARP inhibition. This study investigated whether ROS-mediated DNA damage could sensitize BRCA wild-type HNSCC cells to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. Methods: BRCA wild-type HSC-3 and SCC-25 HNSCC cell lines were exposed to H₂O₂ to induce oxidative stress. Intracellular ROS levels were quantified using DCFDA assays, DNA double-strand breaks were evaluated by γ-H2AX ELISA, PARP activity was assessed by ELISA, and cell viability was determined using MTT assays. Expression levels of DNA repair genes (PARP1, PARP2, BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, and MLH1), checkpoint kinases (ATM, ATR, and CHK1), the homologous recombination regulator FANCD2, and redox defense genes (NQO1, GPX4, and SLC7A11) were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Therapeutic selectivity was assessed using HGF-1 normal human gingival fibroblasts as a normal cell control. Apoptosis was measured through caspase-3/7 activity assays, and drug interactions were evaluated using the Chou–Talalay method. Results: H₂O₂ treatment increased intracellular ROS levels in both cell lines, accompanied by significant induction of DNA damage as demonstrated by elevated γ-H2AX levels. ROS induction markedly enhanced olaparib sensitivity, significantly reducing IC₅₀ values in both HSC-3 and SCC-25 cells. Combined H₂O₂ and olaparib treatment produced strong synergistic cytotoxicity, suppressed DNA repair, checkpoint kinase, and redox defense gene expression, and increased caspase-3/7 activity compared with control cells. Importantly, the combination demonstrated selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, with normal HGF-1 cells retaining significantly higher viability. Conclusions: ROS-induced DNA damage significantly enhances the anti-tumor activity of olaparib in BRCA wild-type HNSCC cells through a functional synthetic lethal-like interaction involving the simultaneous collapse of DNA repair capacity, checkpoint activation, and oxidative stress buffering, culminating in apoptosis induction. These findings support the rationale for combining ROS-generating therapies with PARP inhibitors in HNSCC treatment. Full article

The concentration of electric fields at the end region of stator bars in large generators can readily induce corona discharge. Under long-term operation, corona discharge may cause drift in the surface conductivity and nonlinear coefficient of anti-corona materials, thereby weakening their capability to homogenize the tangential electric field. In severe cases, this can lead to charring failure of the anti-corona material. To improve the electrical-parameter stability and surface morphological resistance to corona aging of silicon carbide (SiC)-based anti-corona materials under long-term corona exposure, epoxy-resin-based anti-corona materials were investigated in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were first employed to analyze the effects of corona aging on the microstructure and chemical structure of the anti-corona layer, thereby revealing its failure mechanism. Subsequently, the evolution of surface conductivity, nonlinear coefficient, and surface morphology of bisphenol A epoxy resin (EP)- and hydrogenated bisphenol A epoxy resin (H-EP)-based anti-corona materials during 120 h of corona aging was comparatively investigated. On this basis, different mass fractions of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were introduced into the H-EP-based anti-corona material for synergistic modification. The OMMT used in this study had a particle size of approximately 5 μm and an interlayer spacing of 2.6 nm, and its lamellar morphology and dispersion state in the epoxy matrix were characterized by cross-sectional SEM. Meanwhile, the trap-regulation mechanism of the OMMT-modified anti-corona materials was analyzed using isothermal surface potential decay (ISPD). The results show that erosion of the epoxy resin matrix by corona discharge is the primary cause of internal conductive-pathway disruption and anti-corona layer failure. Compared with the EP-based material, the H-EP-based material exhibited better conductivity and nonlinear stability during aging, although a certain degree of drift still occurred. The incorporation of an appropriate amount of OMMT further improved the corona resistance of the material. Among the investigated samples, the material containing 1 wt% OMMT showed the best performance, with its conductivity stabilized within the range of 10^−13–10⁻¹¹ S, the lowest variation rate of 104.76%, a relatively stable nonlinear coefficient, and slight surface damage. The ISPD results indicate that the interfaces introduced by OMMT increase the deep-trap density and suppress carrier migration, thereby stabilizing the conductive network. Overall, the synergistic effect of the H-EP matrix and 1 wt% OMMT can effectively enhance the corona resistance of SiC-based anti-corona materials. Full article

Corrosion of reinforcing steel and degradation of concrete caused by chloride penetration are the most critical forms of durability failure in marine environments. This requires that repair materials possess both high impermeability and stable chemical binding capacity. In this study, the impact patterns of sulfoaluminate cement (SAC) dosage on the chloride erosion durability of an OPC-GGBS-SAC ternary repair system were systematically evaluated. Through chloride ion binding capacity tests, electrical flux experiments, and microscopic analytical techniques including XRD, DTG and SEM-EDS, the synergistic regulation mechanisms of the dual functions of ‘physical barrier’ and ‘chemical binding’ in the composite material were elucidated. The findings show that the performance of the composite material was optimal at an SAC content of 10%. The electrical flux of composite materials at 28 d was 28.9% lower than that of the OPC system, whilst the chloride ion binding rate increased by 3.92%. Microstructural analysis indicates that an appropriate amount of SAC promoted the generation of ettringite (AFt) to optimize the early-age pore structure and stimulated the production of more C-S-H gel and AFm phases, thus synergistically enhancing impermeability and chemical binding capacity. When the SAC content exceeded 10%, excess gypsum inhibited the formation of AFm. Moreover, the concentration of early-stage hydration led to microdefects, resulting in a decline in durability. This study identifies the optimal dosage of SAC in the ternary system and clarifies the underlying mechanism, thereby providing a scientific basis for designing high-durability repair materials suitable for harsh ocean conditions. Full article

Dental fluorosis (DF) is a common endemic disease that damages dental enamel. Traditionally, DF has been attributed to environmental fluoride overload. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that genetic factors also modulate individual susceptibility. No dedicated fluoride ion channels have been identified in mammalian cells; fluoride uptake is believed to occur mainly through passive diffusion of HF and nonspecific anion pathways, including chloride channels. Different types of chloride channels are expressed in dental tissues, such as CFTR and voltage-gated chloride channels (ClCs), but it remains unknown whether these channels transport fluoride and whether their variants influence DF risk. This study combined human population-based investigations, mouse and zebrafish models, and in vitro experiments to confirm the significant genetic association of CFTR and CLCN3 variants with DF. A total of 889 DF cases and 834 matched controls were recruited from the same fluoride-contaminated region. Tag SNP screening of CFTR and eight ClC chloride channel genes (CLCNs) revealed that rs213950 in CFTR and three SNPs in CLCN3 were significantly associated with DF. CFTR and ClC-3 showed different fluoride tolerances. rs213950 in CFTR affected the efficiency of fluoride ion transport in Xenopus oocytes. ClC-3 enabled yeast cells to resist fluoride toxicity, whereas clcn3 deficiency disrupted tooth and craniofacial development in zebrafish. Fluoride exposure altered nucleoprotein binding to the rs10520161 region and changed the mRNA levels of various ClC-3 transcripts. These transcripts displayed different subcellular locations and fluoride conductances and acted synergistically to confer fluoride resistance. Together, these findings raise the possibility that variants in CFTR and CLCN3 may act synergistically to influence DF susceptibility. This potential interplay highlights DF as a complex trait involving dysregulated fluoride handling and underscores the multifactorial, gene-directed regulation of fluoride transport. Full article

How do microorganisms in litter and soil affect litter decomposition in a temperate forest? Here, we conducted an 18-month laboratory experiment to assess the decomposition of pure Robinia pseudoacacia, pure Platycladus orientalis, and mixed R. pseudoacacia–P. orientalis litters under four treatments, namely “no microbe” (NM), “litter microbes” (LM), “soil microbes” (SM), and “litter and soil microbes” (LM + SM). Results demonstrated that, compared with SM, LM significantly enhanced the litter weight-loss rate and elevated the potential activities of lignocellulolytic enzymes at 180 days, and this was accompanied by lower cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Structural equation modeling indicated that microorganisms may directly or indirectly influence weight mass loss, partly by regulating these potential enzyme activities that are associated with changes in the litter organic matter composition. Across three forest stands, microbial treatments significantly affected litter decomposition. The standardized direct path coefficients linking microorganisms to the litter-mass-loss rate from highest to lowest were LM + SM, LM, and SM, indicating a synergistic effect between LM and SM that promotes decomposition through coordination. Taxonomically, most bacterial genera differed significantly among microbial treatments, whereas most fungal genera did not. Notably, the standardized direct path coefficient linking bacteria to litter mass loss was larger than that for fungi in both the SM and LM + SM groups. Additionally, field decomposition was faster than in the laboratory, with distinct microbial communities, verifying the environmental modulation of decomposers and the home-field advantage. This study clarifies microbial mechanisms underlying litter decomposition and provides a theoretical basis for forest ecosystem stability and sustainable management. Full article

Thermochemical washing of oily sludge is a highly effective strategy for resource recovery. However, the lingering petroleum components within washed sludge still pose considerable environmental pollution risks. In this study, high-temperature bioaugmentation technology was used to promote the removal of petroleum components, and the potential of this technology in the deep treatment of washed oily sludge was investigated, specifically petroleum component degradation and microbial community regulation. The results showed that the petroleum degradation performance was greatly enhanced by the introduction of thermophilic bacteria combined with 200 mg/kg of biosurfactant (T2 group). Under these conditions, the petroleum and moisture contents were successfully reduced to 19.6 g/kg and 4%, respectively. In particular, the contents of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the T2 group decreased significantly to 1098.5 and 494.3 mg/kg, respectively, relative to the blank group (4428.5 and 850.7 mg/kg). High-throughput sequencing results indicated that exogenous thermophilic bacteria (Ureibacillus and Bacillus) could rapidly emerge as the dominant genera in the system. In addition, microbial association network and functional analyses revealed that high-temperature bioaugmentation shifted microbial interactions from competition to cooperation, as evidenced by increased positive correlation ratios and modularity values, as well as functional diversification from two modules in the blank group to four modules in the biofortified treatments, thereby enhancing synergistic degradation capabilities for hydrocarbons. This study provides a newly developed approach to oily sludge treatment that simultaneously achieves reduction and harmlessness. Full article

This study systematically investigated the effects of Co/Ni ratios (0.6–2.0) on the solidification behavior, as-cast microstructure, and element segregation of Co-Al-W-based superalloys, and elucidated the mechanism of thermodynamic and kinetic synergistic regulation. The results show that increasing the Co/Ni ratio has a negligible effect on the liquidus and solidus temperatures, but it significantly lowers the dissolution temperature of the γ′ phase, thereby expanding the alloy’s heat treatment window (HTW) from 215 °C to 269 °C. As the Co/Ni ratio increased from 0.6 to 2, the SDAS at the center of the alloy ingot decreased from 112.4 μm to 43.3 μm, resulting in a significant refinement of the as-cast microstructure. The dendritic segregation coefficients for positively segregating elements such as Ta, Hf, and Al, as well as negatively segregating elements such as W, all approached 1 significantly, effectively suppressing microsegregation during solidification. This study reveals the multidimensional synergistic regulation mechanism of the Co/Ni ratio on the non-equilibrium solidification behavior of highly alloyed Co-Al-W-based superalloys and quantitatively elucidates the relationship between the Co/Ni ratio, the microstructural uniformity of as-cast specimens, and the heat treatment process window. For the first time in a highly alloyed multi-component Co-Al-W system, a correlation has been established between the Co/Ni ratio, element segregation, dendrite coarsening coefficient, and heat treatment window. Full article

Camellia japonica L., an East Asian species with extensive ethnobotanical use, is a rich source of bioactive metabolites including polyphenols, saponins, terpenoids, sterols, and fatty acids. These compounds have attracted significant attention in cosmetic research due to increasing demand for natural, multifunctional ingredients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and skin-brightening properties. This review summarizes the major classes of Camellia metabolites, their chemical characteristics, and mechanisms of action. Terpenoids and polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Camellia saponins serve as mild natural surfactants for gentle skin cleansing, while phytosterols, amino acids, proteins, and seed fatty acids synergistically reconstruct the epidermal barrier and maintain cutaneous hydration. This review further addresses the current applications of these Camellia-derived bioactives in ameliorating photo-aging, hyperpigmentation, skin inflammation, and barrier dysfunction. Despite significant progress, key challenges persist, including incomplete understanding of biosynthetic regulation, suboptimal extraction methods, limited study of synergistic effects, and insufficient human safety data. Future studies should employ omics technologies and green extraction approaches to elucidate biosynthetic pathways, validate efficacy, and promote sustainable utilization of Camellia resources in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and related industries. Full article

Photothermal-assisted electrocatalysis is an effective approach to enhance the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), but the synergistic mechanism between the photothermal effect and the regulation of catalyst electronic structure remains unclear. This work reports the construction of NiFeS/Cs_0.32WO₃ heterostructures, which integrate interfacial electron transfer and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-induced photothermal effects to enhance OER performance. The Cs_0.32WO₃ component with hexagonal tungsten bronze structure exhibits strong absorption in the near-infrared region, attributed to LSPR (1100 nm to 2500 nm) and small polaron transition (780 nm to 1100 nm), endowing the NiFeS/Cs_0.32WO₃ composite with excellent photothermal conversion capability. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, the steady-state surface temperature of the heterostructure reaches 65.1 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal that spontaneous electron transfer from NiFeS to Cs_0.32WO₃ occurs at the heterostructure interface, thereby optimizing the electronic structure of active sites. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that at a current density of 50 mA cm⁻², the NiFeS/Cs_0.32WO₃ composite exhibits an overpotential of 301 mV under near-infrared irradiation, representing a reduction of 53 mV compared to NiFeS under dark conditions. At a current density of 50 mA cm⁻², the photothermal enhancement effect of the NiFeS/Cs_0.32WO₃ composite is identified as the predominant contributor to the overall performance improvement. Nevertheless, the intrinsic interfacial effect associated with the heterojunction also plays a crucial role and makes a non-negligible contribution to the enhanced electrocatalytic activity. The Tafel slope decreases from 57.8 mV dec⁻¹ to 44.5 mV dec⁻¹ under near-infrared illumination, indicating accelerated OER kinetics. This work elucidates the mechanism of synergistic enhancement between heterostructure construction and photothermal effects, providing insights for the design of advanced photothermal electrocatalysts. Full article

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a prevalent global malignant tumor, and conventional therapies and drugs for CRC are limited by poor targeting and severe toxic side effects. Existing reviews on hydrogel-based CRC treatments mainly focus on synthetic materials or single-responsive systems concerning drug loading and local delivery. Natural polysaccharides possess inherent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities, and polysaccharide hydrogels (PSHs) prepared from them exhibit favorable biocompatibility, tunable structures and potential targeting capability, which can synergistically enhance the efficacy of loaded drugs and thus become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the pathogenesis and conventional treatments of CRC, introduces monocomponent and composite PSHs as well as physical and chemical crosslinking methods, and emphasizes their tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive mechanisms, combined drug effects and clinical applications. It also analyzes the challenges in safety evaluation and practical application, and summarizes recent advances in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for PSHs design, regulation, performance prediction and implementation. This paper serves as a reference for follow-up research and clinical translation of hydrogels prepared from natural polysaccharides for the treatment of CRC. Full article