Search Results (91)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop in Northwest China, exhibiting resistance to salt and drought. Mining its excellent tolerance genes can be used for breeding. However, the current platforms for identifying gene function in sunflower is inadequate. The transient transformation system, which can rapidly validate gene function, shows promising prospects in research. In this study, we established an efficient transient expression transformation system for sunflower using three methods: Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration, injection, and ultrasonic-vacuum. The detailed procedures were as follows: Agrobacterium GV3101 carrying a GUS reporter gene on the pBI121 vector with an OD₆₀₀ of 0.8 as the bacterial suspension and 0.02% Silwet L-77 as the surfactant were utilized in all three approaches. For the infiltration method, seedlings grown hydroponically for 3 days were immersed in a bacterial suspension containing 0.02% Silwet L-77 for 2 h; for the injection method, the same solution was injected into the cotyledons of seedlings grown in soil for 4 to 6 days. Subsequently, the seedlings were cultured in the dark at room temperature for three days; for the ultrasonic-vacuum method, seedlings cultured in Petri dishes for 3 days were first subjected to ultrasonication at 40 kHz for 1 min, followed by vacuum infiltration at 0.05 kPa for 5–10 min. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation efficiency achieved by the three methods exceeded 90%, with gene expression being sustained for at least 6 days. Next, we employed the infiltration-based sunflower transient transformation technology with the Arabidopsis stable transformation platform to confirm salt and drought stress tolerance of candidate gene HaNAC76 from sunflower responding to various abiotic stresses. Altogether, this study successfully established an Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation system for sunflower using these three methods, which can rapidly identify gene function and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying sunflower’s resistance traits. Full article

The Tunisian uprisings projected an elusive surrealistic scene that was an aberration in a part of the world where Islamic ideology had been considered the only rallying force and a midwife for regime change. However, this sense of exceptionalism was short-lived, as the religiously zealous Islamist expats and their militant executive wings infiltrated the power vacuum to resume their suspended Islamization project of the 1980s. Brandishing electoral “legitimacy”, they attempted to reframe the bourgeoning indigenous democratization project, rooted in an evolving Tunisian intellectual and cultural heritage, along the neocolonial ideological underpinnings of the “Arab Spring” metanarrative, which proffers the thesis that democracy can be promoted in the Muslim world through so-called “Moderate Muslims”. This paper challenges this dominant narrative by offering a counter-narrative about the political transition in Tunisia. It takes stock of the multidisciplinary conceptual and analytical frameworks elaborated upon in postcolonial theory, social movement theory, cognitive neuroscience theories, and digital communication theories. It draws heavily on socio-narrative translation theory. The corpus analyzed in this work consists of disparate yet corroborating narratives cutting across modes, genres, and cultural and linguistic boundaries, and is grounded in insider participant observation. This work opens an alternative inquiry into how the processes of cross-cultural knowledge production and the power dynamics they sustain have helped shape the course of the transition since 2011. Full article

Plasma, an ionized gas composed of charged particles, has shown therapeutic potential in enhancing biological processes such as wound healing and tissue integration. Implants, such as silicone and human acellular dermal matrix (hADM), are commonly used in reconstructive surgery, but improving their biocompatibility and integration remains a challenge. This study investigated the effects of vacuum plasma treatment on silicone and hADM implants using an in vivo rat model. Plasma-treated and untreated implants were inserted subcutaneously, and tissue samples were collected at 1, 4, and 8 weeks post-implantation. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess inflammation, cellular infiltration, collagen formation (neocollagenesis), and angiogenesis. Results showed that plasma-treated silicone and hADM implants had significantly reduced capsule thickness at weeks 4 and 8 compared to untreated controls, indicating a lower chronic inflammatory response. Plasma treatment also promoted greater fibroblast infiltration and enhanced neocollagenesis within the hADM implants. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed a notable increase in blood vessel formation around and within the plasma-treated hADM implants, suggesting improved vascularization. In conclusion, vacuum plasma treatment enhances the biocompatibility and tissue integration of implants by reducing inflammation and promoting cellular and vascular responses, offering promising potential for improving outcomes in reconstructive surgery. Full article

Cannabis sativa produces pharmacologically valuable cannabinoids. In this study, we developed and optimized a transient transformation system using Cannabis sativa ‘Cheungsam’ to facilitate gene functional analysis. Various experimental conditions, including plant developmental stages, light conditions, Agrobacterium strains, tissue types, and physical treatments such as sonication and vacuum infiltration, were systematically evaluated using GUS histochemical staining and qPCR analysis. Among these, 7-day-old seedlings cultured under dark conditions and transformed with the GV3101 strain exhibited high transformation efficiency. Leaf tissue showed a higher GUS staining proportion and GUS staining area compared to hypocotyl and cotyledon tissues. The application of a combination of sonication and vacuum infiltration techniques resulted in the most intense GUS expression. Using the optimized protocol, we introduced a recombinant vector carrying CsCBDAS2, a key gene in cannabidiol (CBD) biosynthesis. qPCR analysis revealed that CsCBDAS2 overexpression led to significant upregulation of multiple upstream CBD biosynthetic genes (CsOAC, CsGOT, CsPT1, CsPT4, CsCBDAS1, and CsCBDAS2) and the transcription factor (TF) CsWRKY20, suggesting coordinated co-expression and potential involvement of a transcriptional feedback loop. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our transient transformation system and provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of cannabinoid biosynthesis in cannabis. Full article

Buckwheat is a promising crop with grains that are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. Genome sequence data for common and Tartary buckwheat have recently become available. Currently, there is a critical need for the development of a simple and reliable transient gene expression protocol, as well as a stable genetic transformation method, to facilitate metabolic engineering of bioactive compounds, functional analysis of genes, targeted editing, and, in a long-term perspective, to accelerate the breeding process in buckwheat. In this paper, we report optimized methods for Agrobacterium-mediated transient and stable transformation of Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tartaricum. Leaf and cotyledon tissues were infiltrated with an A. tumefaciens-bearing construct containing eGFP and GUS reporter genes. Histochemical staining and Western blotting were used to confirm the expression of reporter proteins. We also demonstrate the usefulness of the developed method for engineering the gramine biosynthetic pathway in buckwheat. HvAMIS and HvNMT genes were transiently expressed in buckwheat leaves, and the de novo production of gramine was confirmed by LC-MS. Moreover, in planta genetic transformation of common and Tartary buckwheat with a reporter gene (eGFP) and selectable marker gene (NptII) was achieved by Agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration. Genomic integration of the construct was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas the production of eGFP was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Full article

Al/diamond composites are considered a new generation of potential thermal management materials. In this study, the uniform B coating on the surface of diamond particles was prepared by the vacuum thermal diffusion method. Subsequently, Al matrix composites reinforced with B-coated diamond particles were produced by the gas pressure infiltration method. The plating time was varied from 0 to 120 min to investigate the effect of B coating on the thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of the Al/B-diamond composites. The thermal conductivity for the Al/B-diamond composites increased from 422 W/m·K to 562 W/m·K with prolonged plating time from 0 to 90 min. Correspondingly, the coefficient of thermal expansion was tailored from 7.0 × 10⁻⁶/K to 5.8 × 10⁻⁶/K. The enhanced thermal conductivity and decreased coefficient of thermal expansion were attributed to strong interfacial bonding in Al/B-diamond composites. The results indicate that the appropriate thickness of B coating is a viable method to improve interfacial bonding between the Al matrix and B-coated diamond particles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Symptomatic intravertebral vacuum cleft (SIVC) is a complication of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) that leads to persistent pain and deformity. Its prediction remains challenging due to multifactorial causes. Paraspinal muscle fat infiltration has been associated with spinal fracture outcomes but has not been extensively explored in SIVC prediction. Our aim was to develop machine learning (ML) models for predicting SIVC and to evaluate the role of muscle-related variables in improving predictive performance. Methods: Demographic, radiological, and muscle-related variables were collected. ML models—including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, and Multi-Layer Perceptron—were trained and tested under two input conditions: baseline variables (SETTING_1) and baseline plus muscle-related variables (SETTING_2). Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and feature importance analysis. Results: The Random Forest model in SETTING_2, which incorporated muscle-related variables, achieved the highest accuracy (96.6%) and AUC (0.956). Multifidus fatty infiltration (MFfi), erector spinae fatty infiltration (ESfi), and endplate CSA were identified as the most significant predictors. The inclusion of muscle-related variables significantly improved the predictive performance of all ML models. Conclusions: ML models, particularly Random Forest, demonstrated high accuracy in predicting SIVC when muscle-related variables were included. Paraspinal muscle fat infiltration is a critical predictor of SIVC and should be integrated into risk assessment strategies to improve early diagnosis and management. Full article

This study presented a comprehensive comparison of soil gas sampling methodologies to monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at two industrial sites in northern Italy. Utilizing active sampling techniques, such as stainless-steel canisters, vacuum bottles, and sorbent tubes, alongside passive methods like low-density polyethylene (PE) membranes, sorbent pens, and Waterloo Membrane Samplers (WMS), the research examines their effectiveness under varied environmental conditions. Five field campaigns were conducted in two areas of the industrial sites characterized by BTEX and chlorinated solvent contamination. The results highlighted that active sampling, while expensive, provides real-time, high-resolution VOC concentration data, often outperforming passive methods for heavier compounds (e.g., hexachlorobutadiene). However, using the active systems in certain campaigns, challenges such as high soil humidity or atmospheric air infiltration were observed, resulting in an underestimation of the soil gas concentrations. Passive sampling systems demonstrated cost-effective, efficient alternatives, offering consistent spatial and temporal coverage. These methods showed alignment with active techniques for lighter compounds (e.g., TCE and BTEX) but faced limitations in sorbent saturation and equilibrium time for heavier VOCs (e.g., hexachlorobutadiene), requiring adjustments in exposure duration to enhance accuracy. PE samplers provided results comparable to active methods, especially for BTEX and TCE, while WMS and sorbent pens exhibited lower sensitivity for certain analytes. This underscores the importance of optimizing sampler configurations and deployment strategies. The findings emphasize the value of integrating active and passive approaches to achieve robust VOC assessments in heterogeneous subsurface environments. Full article

Background: The use of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation, detection, and characterization of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been increasing; however, its application in this context remains controversial and uncertain. Materials: A retrospective study including women with pure DCIS, confirmed between January 2012 and December 2022 using ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB) or stereotaxy-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB), was conducted. Mammography, ultrasound (US), and MRI of DCIS lesions were evaluated according to histological grade. The size of the DCIS, as assessed by mammography, US, MRI, and final surgical histopathology, was compared using Lin’s concordance correlation and Bland–Altman plots. Results: A total of 144 women (mean age 55.5 ± 10.3 years) with histopathological diagnoses of pure DCIS and no evidence of infiltration in the percutaneous biopsy were included in the study. Microcalcifications were the most prevalent feature observed in mammography (82.63%). Round/punctate morphology was more common in low-grade lesions, while fine pleomorphic morphology was more frequent in medium- and high-grade lesions. Lesions manifesting as microcalcifications only on mammography were significantly associated with intermediate and high-nuclear grade DCIS (p = 0.005). The most common MRI manifestation of DCIS was non-mass enhancement (86.11%). A total of 141 lesions showed enhancement with MRI (sensibility 97.92%). There were no significant differences (p = 0.29) between negative and positive enhancement with MRI and the histological grade of the lesions. There were no significant differences (p = 0.49) between the type of enhancement curve with MRI and the histological grade. Preoperative MRI detected additional malignancies (multifocal, multicentric, or bilateral) in 35 patients (24.31%). Conclusions: DCIS demonstrated enhancement with MRI regardless of histological grade but overestimated the size of the lesions in low-nuclear-grade DCIS. Preoperative MRI identified additional malignancies (multifocal, multicentric, and bilateral lesions) in 24 patients (16.67%), which were confirmed by histopathological examination. These malignancies were either undetected or not visible with mammography and ultrasound. However, MRI also overestimated the size of the DCIS, leading to three unnecessary mastectomies in our study. Full article

In this paper, the synthesis of TiC-coated carbon fibers (TiC-CFs) with varying thicknesses is achieved through the manipulation of the molten salt reaction, along with the fabrication of TiC-coated carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix (TiC-CF/Al) composites via the vacuum pressure infiltration technique. The results show that modulating the holding time of the molten salt reaction significantly enhances the wettability between the carbon fiber (CF) and the aluminum, thereby augmenting the mechanical integrity of the composite materials. Should the holding time be excessively short, the coating on the CF surface develops an uneven distribution, and its efficacy in obstructing the direct interaction with the aluminum is inadequate. As the holding time prolongs, the TiC coating thickens, achieving a comprehensive coverage after 2 h of holding. The presence of a pristine TiC coating on the CF surface not only optimizes the wettability with the aluminum melt but also mitigates the reaction between the CF and aluminum. However, an excessively thick coating not only reduces the strength of the fibers, due to excessive reactions, but also makes the coating prone to detachment during the preparation process due to stress. At a holding time of 3 h, the tensile strength of the CF/Al composite material reaches its highest value, with a tensile strength of 103.93 MPa and an impressive 72.35% enhancement over that of the aluminum. Full article

Permeable asphalt pavement (PAP) is an efficient solution to stormwater management, allowing water to infiltrate through its layers. This reduces surface runoff and mitigates urban flooding risks. In addition to these hydrological benefits, PAP enhances water quality by filtering pollutants such as organic and inorganic materials and microplastics. However, clogging from sediment accumulation in the pavement’s void structure often impairs its performance, reducing infiltration capacity. This review addresses several issues related to PAP, including the factors that contribute to pavement clogging and evaluates current and emerging maintenance strategies, including manual removal, pressure washing, regenerative air sweeping and vacuum truck utilization. Additionally, different methods of assessing clogging using innovative technology such as X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT), as well as a summary of the software used to process these images, are presented and discussed as tools for identifying clogging patterns, analyzing void structure and simulating permeability. This review identifies gaps in existing methodologies and suggests innovative approaches, including the creation of self-cleaning materials designed to prevent sediment buildup, biomimetic designs modeled after natural filtration systems and maintenance protocols designed for targeted clogging depths, to support the optimization of PAP systems and promote their adoption in resilient urban infrastructure designs in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Hydrangea macrophylla, renowned for its large inflorescences and a diverse range of colors, highlights a significant limitation in current gene function research, which is the lack of effective molecular genetic tools. This study utilized a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system to investigate gene function through posttranscriptional gene silencing in H. macrophylla for the first time. The ortholog of phytoene desaturase (PDS) in H. macrophylla, termed HmPDS, was identified. Infection of tissue-cultured seedlings with TRV-HmPDS led to photobleaching of the leaves. Additionally, infection with TRV containing the HmCHS1 fragment in the flowers resulted in decreased anthocyanin production in sepals and a lightening of sepal coloration in the infected flowers. The phenomena and RT-qPCR results proved that the PDS and CHS genes of hydrangea were successfully silenced via the vacuum infiltration method. Furthermore, the introduction of TRV-HmF3′5′H revealed a decrease in delphinidin-3-glucoside content in sepals and caused a color change in the sepals from blue to pink. This study demonstrated that the TRV-VIGS system was successfully established in H. macrophylla and effectively applied to the function analysis of HmF3′5′H. Full article

This study investigated the influence of preformed composition and pore size on the microstructure and properties of SiC_f/SiC composites fabricated via reactive melt infiltration (RMI). The process began with the impregnation of SiC fiber cloth with phenolic resin, followed by lamination and pyrolysis. Subsequent steps included further impregnations with phenolic resin, SiC slurry, and carbon black slurry, each followed by additional pyrolysis. This process resulted in three types of preforms, designated as PP, PS, and PC. These preforms exhibited a multimodal distribution of pore size, with peak pore diameters around 5 μm for PP, ranging from 200 nm to 4 μm for PS, and approximately 150 nm for PC. The preforms were then subjected to molten silicon infiltration at 1600 °C under vacuum for 1 h to create SiC_f/SiC composites. The PP preform contained only pyrolytic carbon, leading to a composite with high closed porosity and unreacted carbon, resulting in poor mechanical properties. The PS preform, which was impregnated with SiC particles, displayed an optimized pore size distribution but retained significant amounts of residual silicon and carbon in the final composite. In contrast, the PC preform featured both an ideal pore size distribution and an adequate amount of carbon, achieving high density and low porosity with reduced residual phases in the final composite. This optimization led to a flexural strength of 152.4 ± 15.4 MPa, an elastic modulus of about 181.1 ± 0.1 GPa, and a thermal conductivity of 27.7 W/mK in the SiC_f/SiC composites product. These findings underscore the importance of preform optimization in enhancing the performance of SiC_f/SiC composites, potentially paving the way for more reliable nuclear fuel cladding solutions. Full article

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are increasing due to eutrophication and climate change, as is irrigation of crops with freshwater contaminated with cHAB toxins. A few studies, mostly in aquatic protists and plants, have investigated the effects of cHAB toxins or cell extracts on various aspects of photosynthesis, with variable effects reported (negative to neutral to positive). We examined the effects of cyanobacterial live cultures and cell extracts (Microcystis aeruginosa or Anabaena flos-aquae) and individual cHAB toxins (anatoxin-a, ANA; beta-methyl-amino-L-alanine, BMAA; lipopolysaccharide, LPS; microcystin-LR, MC-LR) on photosynthesis in intact plants and leaf pieces in corn (Zea mays) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In intact plants grown in soil or hydroponically, overall net photosynthesis (P_n), but not Photosystem-II (PSII) electron-transport yield (Φ_PSII), decreased when roots were exposed to cyanobacterial culture (whether with intact cells, cells removed, or cells lysed and removed) or individual toxins in solution (especially ANA, which also decreased rubisco activity); cyanobacterial culture also decreased leaf chlorophyll concentration. In contrast, Φ_PSII decreased in leaf tissue vacuum-infiltrated with cyanobacterial culture or the individual toxins, LPS and MC-LR, though only in illuminated (vs. dark-adapted) leaves, and none of the toxins caused significant decreases in in vitro photosynthesis in thylakoids. Principal component analysis indicated unique overall effects of cyanobacterial culture and each toxin on photosynthesis. Hence, while cHAB toxins consistently impacted plant photosynthesis at ecologically relevant concentrations, the effects varied depending on the toxins and the mode of exposure. Full article

Background: Mulberry (Morus L.), a vital perennial woody plant with significant economic importance, is utilized for silkworm rearing, human consumption and medicinal use. The availability of mulberry’s whole-genome sequencing data has underscored the demand for an effective, user-friendly, and high-throughput protocol to facilitate the elucidation of gene functions. Methods and Results: In this investigation, we established a transient transformation approach using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated sonication followed by vacuum infiltration in mulberry tissue culture seedlings. Simultaneously, we optimized the transformation conditions, including mulberry genotypes, A. tumefaciens strain, acetosyringone concentration, bacterial density, sonication time, and days after agroinfiltration. These optimizations aimed to achieve heightened transformation efficiency, employing GFP as a reporter gene to monitor transformation events. The optimized method included the use of an infiltration medium (10 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM MES (2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt), 150 μM acetosyringone, and OD600 0.5 of A. tumefaciens LBA4404) supplemented with the surfactant 0.02% Silwet L-77, with 20 s sonication followed by 20 min vacuum infiltration (0.07 MPa). Among the four mulberry genotypes, ‘Taiguo’ was the most responsive genotype and produced the highest levels of GFP expression at 7 d after infiltration. Furthermore, the optimized transient transformation approach has been proven to be successfully applicable for transiently overexpressing MaANS and MaDFR in mulberry fruits of ‘Taiguo’, in vitro, which distinctly enhanced fruit coloring and significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation, respectively. Conclusions: In summary, we devised a dependable, stable and highly efficient transient transformation approach suitable for rapid gene function examination in mulberry leaves and fruits, in vitro. Full article