Apelin ameliorates sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction via inhibition of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SMD) is the major cause of death in sepsis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis contributes to the occurrence and development of SMD. Although Apelin confers direct protection against SMD, the potential mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether Apelin protects against SMD via regulation of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes. Experimental SMD was induced in wild-type (WT) control mice and Apelin knockout (Apelin-/-) mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate the physiological environment of SMD in vitro. The expression of Apelin was greatly decreased in the plasma from septic patients and septic mouse heart. Knockout of Apelin aggravated SMD, evidenced by decreased cardiac function, and increased cardiac fibrosis and NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis levels in CLP-treated Apelin-/- mice compared with WT mice. Overexpression of Apelin activated the AMPK pathway and thereby inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis of NMCs induced by LPS in vitro These protective effects were partially abrogated by AMPK inhibitor. In conclusion, Apelin attenuated SMD by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis via activation of the AMPK pathway. Apelin may serve as a promising therapeutic target for SMD.

Double gains: Boosting crop productivity and reducing carbon footprints through maize-legume intercropping in the Yellow River Delta, China.

The increasing demand for environmentally friendly agricultural practices has driven the need for diversified crop cultivation to optimize crop productivity while minimizing carbon footprints (CFs). However, the impacts of crop diversification on crop production and environmental benefits are still poorly understood. In this study, conducted at two sites in the Yellow River Delta, China, we investigated the effects of legume intercropping, specifically maize/soybean (M/S) and maize/peanut (M/P) systems, on crop productivity, economic return, ecosystem economic budget (NEEB), CF, and carbon sustainability index (CSI) in comparison to conventional monocrops. Crops were grown in replicated field plots and fertilized in their strips according to common practice for monocrops. Compared to the expected averages of monocrops, maize/legume intercropping demonstrated higher crop yields, with M/S achieving a 37% and 43% increase at the two sites, respectively, and M/P achieving an 11% and 20% increase. The higher overyielding in M/S was attributed to stronger selection effects, i.e., interspecific facilitation. However, the complementarity effects induced by the competitive dominance of maize were similar in both intercropping systems. Additionally, M/S exhibited greater potential for improving net revenues compared to M/P. Life cycle assessments revealed lower CFs in the intercropping systems compared to monocultures. M/S reduced CFs per unit of area by 26.8% at both sites, CFs per unit of maize equivalent energy yield by 25% and 33%, and CFs per unit of revenue by 20% and 25% at the two sites, respectively. M/P also resulted in reduced CFs, albeit to a lesser extent. Intercropping enhanced the CSI, with the highest values observed in the M/S system. However, both intercropping systems showed limited effects on soil C sequestration. Overall, our results highlight that maize/legume intercropping is a feasible approach to enhance crop productivity while reducing CFs. The M/S system outperformed the M/P system in terms of crop yields, economic benefits, and CF reduction. However, the intercropping systems showed limited effects on SOC storage. This study provides important implications for sustainable agriculture by appropriate crop diversification.

Effect of medical innovation policies on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and the impact of the "Belt and Road" economy.

With the spread of the COVID-19, it is urgent for everyone to protect themselves. The introduction of the medical innovation policy has also brought certain effects to the prevention and control of the COVID-19. The specific effect will be reflected in the following research. This paper firstly analyzed research results related to medical innovation policy, COVID-19 prevention and control, and the "One Belt, One Road" economy, finding out the content that fits this research, and innovates the research work on this basis. Then, this paper provided a detailed explanation of medical innovation policies, the prevention and control of the COVID-19, and the "One Belt, One Road" economy. Among them, this paper focuses on the "One Belt and One Road," uses the α-convergence model to analyze the economic changes of the "One Belt and One Road," and conducts experimental tests in the medical field. The results have shown that from 2017 to 2019, the average hospitalization expenses paid by the pooled funds were 4986.19, 4997.34, and 4888.60 yuan, respectively.

N-acetylcysteine improves diabetic associated erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED). This study aimed to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on DMED in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and to explore potential mechanisms. In the present study, we show that an erectile dysfunction is present in the streptozotocin-induced mouse model of diabetes as indicated by decreases in intracavernous pressure responses to electro-stimulation as well as from results of the apomorphine test of erectile function. After treatment of NAC, the intracavernous pressure was increased. In these DMED mice, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were significantly reduced within the cavernous microenvironment, while activity of antioxidant enzymes in this cavernous tissue was enhanced after NAC treatment. These changes protected mitochondrial stress damage and a significant decreased in apoptosis within the cavernous tissue of DMED mice. This appears to involve activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-like-2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway, as well as suppression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38/ NF-κB pathway within cavernous tissue. In conclusion, NAC can improve erectile function through inhibiting oxidative stress via activating Nrf2 pathways and reducing apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. NAC might provide a promising therapeutic strategy for individuals with DMED.

High-Brightness Perovskite Microcrystalline Light-Emitting Diodes.

Here a high-brightness perovskite microcrystalline light-emitting diode (LED) is reported, in which the perovskite microcrystals were grown directly on the conductive substrate and a simple metal-insulator-semiconductor structure was adopted. A peak external quantum efficiency of 0.46% was obtained, which is high for perovskite microcrystalline LEDs. Importantly, the maximum luminance of the device reaches 8848.4 cd m-2, indicating an ultrahigh brightness of >1.2 × 106 cd m-2 for the microcrystals (corresponding to an ultrahigh current density of 80.9 A cm-2), because the light-emitting area of the microcrystals accounts for only ∼0.7% of the device area. In addition, we have studied the degradation of the device at a high current density by in situ microscopic observation and found that a severe Joule heating effect at large injection is the primary problem to be solved to realize electrically pumped perovskite microcrystal lasing.

Give priority to abiotic factor of phosphate additives for pig manure composting to reduce heavy metal risk rather than bacterial contribution.

Phosphate additives especially superphosphate can reduce nitrogen loss, and increase phosphorus availability in composting. This study investigated the changes of different heavy metals fractions and their relationship with bacterial community and abiotic factors during pig manure composting with adding equimolar H3PO4, H2SO4 and K2HPO4. Results showed that both acidic and alkaline labile phosphate increased the potential ecological risk of heavy metals compared to control, but K2HPO4 decreased the accumulation of exchangeable Zn and Mn by 12% and 15% than that with H3PO4 and H2SO4 addition. Network analysis showed that K2HPO4 enhanced the proportion of negative links in bacterial species with heavy metals, but H3PO4 decreased the stability of bacterial network. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that pH was the key factor on metal speciation and risk with phosphate additives than bacterial role. The study presented theoretical basis for additive selection in controlling composting nitrogen fixation and environmental risk.

Generation of an iPSC line (HRMSDUi001-A) from an azoospermic patient with 45,XY,der(13;14)(q10;q10) karyotype.

Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes 13 and 14 is reported to be a cause of male infertility. Here, we established an iPSC line (HRMSDUi001-A) from an azoospermic patient with 45,XY,der(13;14)(q10;q10) karyotype. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were reprogrammed to generate hiPSCs by non-integrating delivery of OCT4, SOX2, KFL4 and MYC. The iPSC line expressed pluripotency markers, could differentiate into cells of three germ layers in vitro, and carried 45,XY,der(13;14)(q10;q10) karyotype.

[Expression of G9a in breast cancer and its effect on proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of G9a in human breast cancer, its association with the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer, and its effect on the proliferation of breast cancer cells. METHODS: A total of 122 specimens of breast cancer tissues and 61 adjacent normal tissues resected between October, 2016 and October, 2017 were obtained from the Tissue Bank of Ningxia Medical University General Hospital. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of G9a in the breast cancer tissues. The relationship of G9a with the clinicopathological features of the patients, molecular subtypes of breast cancer and the immunohistochemical markers was analyzed. A bioinformatics approach was used to analyze the expression of G9a in breast tissues and its association with the prognosis of the patients with breast cancer. UNC0631, a G9a inhibitor, was used to investigate the effect of G9a on the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. RESULTS: The results of immunohistochemical study, real-time PCR and bioinformatics analysis showed that G9a was highly expressed in human breast cancer tissues. G9a was highly expressed in breast invasive ductal carcinoma, and its expression was negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05). Her-2-overexpressing breast cancer showed high expressions of G9a, which was positively correlated with the expressions of Her-2, Ki-67 and E-cadherin (P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that a high G9a expression was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of breast cancer. In cultured breast cancer cells, the application of the G9a inhibitor significantly inhibited the cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: G9a is highly expressed in breast cancer tissues to promote the development and progression of breast cancer. A high G9a expression is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of breast cancer, and G9a may serve as a new target for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.