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In fleshy fruits, organic acids are the main source of fruit acidity and play an important role in regulating osmotic pressure, pH homeostasis, stress resistance, and fruit quality. The transport of organic acids from the cytosol to the vacuole and their storage are complex processes. A large number of transporters carry organic acids from the cytosol to the vacuole with the assistance of various proton pumps and enzymes. However, much remains to be explored regarding the vacuolar transport mechanism of organic acids as well as the substances involved and their association. In this review, recent advances in the vacuolar transport mechanism of organic acids in plants are summarized from the perspectives of transporters, channels, proton pumps, and upstream regulators to better understand the complex regulatory networks involved in fruit acid formation.

Summary Softening in fruit adversely impacts their edible quality and commercial value, leading to substantial economic losses during fruit ripening, long‐term storage, long‐distance transportation, and marketing. As the apple fruit demonstrates climacteric respiration, its firmness decreases with increasing ethylene release rate during fruit ripening and postharvest storage. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ethylene‐mediated regulation of fruit softening in apple remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified a WRKY transcription factor (TF) MdWRKY31, which is repressed by ethylene treatment. Using transgenic approaches, we found that overexpression of MdWRKY31 delays softening by negatively regulating xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases 2 (MdXTH2) expression. Yeast one‐hybrid (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA), and dual‐luciferase assays further suggested that MdWRKY31 directly binds to the MdXTH2 promoter via a W‐box element and represses its transcription. Transient overexpression of ethylene‐induced MdNAC7, a NAC TF, in apple fruit promoted softening by decreasing cellulose content and increasing water‐soluble pectin content in fruit. MdNAC7 interacted with MdWRKY31 to form a protein complex, and their interaction decreased the transcriptional repression of MdWRKY31 on MdXTH2. Furthermore, MdNAC7 does not directly regulate MdXTH2 expression, but the protein complex formed with MdWRKY31 hinders MdWRKY31 from binding to the promoter of MdXTH2. Our findings underscore the significance of the regulatory complex NAC7–WRKY31 in ethylene‐responsive signalling, connecting the ethylene signal to XTH2 expression to promote fruit softening. This sheds light on the intricate mechanisms governing apple fruit firmness and opens avenues for enhancing fruit quality and reducing economic losses associated with softening.

Anthocyanins have essential biological functions, affecting the development of horticultural production. They are synthesized in the cytoplasm through flavonoid metabolic pathways and finally transported into vacuoles for storage. Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in anthocyanin transportation. In this study, we identified 38 GSTs from the apple (Malus domestica) genome (HFTH1 Whole Genome v1.0) based on the sequence similarity with the GST family proteins of Arabidopsis. These MdGST genes could be grouped into nine chief subclasses: U, F, L, Z, T, GHR, EF1Bγ, TCHQD, and DHAR. The structures, motifs, three-dimensional models, and chromosomal distribution of MdGST genes were further analyzed. Elements which are responsive for some hormones and stress, and others that involve genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were forecast in the promoter of MdGST. In addition, we identified 32 orthologous gene pairs between apple and Arabidopsis. These genes indicated that numerous apple and Arabidopsis counterparts appeared to be derived from a common ancestor. Amongst the 38 MdGST genes, MdGSTU12 was considerably correlated with anthocyanin variation in terms of extracting expression profiles from reported. Finally, further functional identification in apple transgenic calli and subcellular localization confirmed that MdGSTU12 was of great significance in anthocyanin accumulation in apple.

The ripening of climacteric fruits is characterised by a sharp increase in ethylene production, coinciding with the conversion of starch into soluble sugars. However, the regulatory interplay between ethylene and starch degradation in apple remains largely unclear. Here, we report a negative correlation between starch accumulation and ethylene levels during late fruit development. Integrated transcriptomic analysis identified the α‐amylase gene MdAMY1 as a key component of the ethylene–starch regulatory pathway. Functional characterisation confirmed that MdAMY1, an ethylene‐responsive gene, acts as a positive regulator of starch‐to‐sugar conversion. Biochemical assays showed that the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor MdbHLH149 directly represses MdAMY1 transcription. Furthermore, MdERF17—a negative regulator in ethylene signalling—interacts with MdbHLH149 and synergistically enhances this repression. A combination of GUS staining, quantitative enzyme activity assays and VIGS‐based transient transformation demonstrated that the MdERF17–MdbHLH149–MdAMY1 module acts downstream of ethylene signalling to control starch degradation. Collectively, these findings establish that ethylene facilitates starch degradation by negatively regulating the MdERF17–MdbHLH149–MdAMY1 repression module.

Main conclusionMdPRX34L enhanced resistance to Botryosphaeria dothidea by increasing salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) content as well as the expression of related defense genes.The class III peroxidase (PRX) multigene family is involved in complex biological processes. However, the molecular mechanism of PRXs in the pathogen defense of plants against Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea) remains unclear. Here, we cloned the PRX gene MdPRX34L, which was identified as a positive regulator of the defense response to B. dothidea, from the apple cultivar 'Royal Gala.' Overexpression of MdPRX34L in apple calli decreased sensitivity to salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid（ABA). Subsequently, overexpression of MdPRX34L in apple calli increased resistance to B. dothidea infection. In addition, SA contents and the expression levels of genes related to SA synthesis and signaling in apple calli overexpressing MdPRX34L were higher than those in the control after inoculation, suggesting that MdPRX34L enhances resistance to B. dothidea via the SA pathway. Interestingly, infections in apple calli by B. dothidea caused an increase in endogenous levels of ABA followed by induction of ABA-related genes expression. These findings suggest a potential mechanism by which MdPRX34L enhances plant–pathogen defense against B. dothidea by regulating the SA and ABA pathways.

Background Chronic inflammation is a contributing factor to the onset and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). In our study, we aimed to explore the correlation between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score and CAD severity. Methods A case‒control study was performed comprising 214 patients exhibiting stable angina and a comparison group of 214 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake, and coronary severity was determined by the Gensini score. Results Participants with DIIs in the highest tertile had a greater propensity for CAD than those with DIIs in the lowest tertile, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.50 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79–6.85). After accounting for potential confounding factors, individuals in the highest DII tertile demonstrated an increased likelihood of severe CAD compared with those in the lowest tertile, with an OR of 4.09 (95% CI: 1.80–9.28, P trend = 0.001). Additionally, the propensity for severe coronary lesions increased linearly with increasing DII (P overall = 0.003, P nonlinear = 0.150). Conclusions Our findings suggest that higher DIIs are related to an elevated likelihood and severity of CAD. Taken together, these findings suggest that an anti-inflammatory diet may be beneficial in managing CAD. However, well-designed prospective studies in different populations are still needed to validate these findings and explore the potential causal relationship between dietary inflammation and CAD.

Multifunctional N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been revealed to be an important epigenetic component in various physiological and pathological processes, but its role in female ovarian aging remains unclear. Thus, we demonstrated m6A demethylase FTO downregulation and the ensuing increased m6A in granulosa cells (GCs) of human aged ovaries, while FTO-knockdown GCs showed faster aging-related phenotypes mediated. Using the m6A-RNA-sequence technique (m6A-seq), increased m6A was found in the FOS-mRNA-3′UTR, which is suggested to be an erasing target of FTO that slows the degradation of FOS-mRNA to upregulate FOS expression in GCs, eventually resulting in GC-mediated ovarian aging. FTO acts as a senescence-retarding protein via m6A, and FOS knockdown significantly alleviates the aging of FTO-knockdown GCs. Altogether, the abovementioned results indicate that FTO in GCs retards FOS-dependent ovarian aging, which is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target against ovarian aging and age-related reproductive diseases.

Background Core decompression (CD) is considered the most popular treatment method for patients with Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage I-II osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, the definitive indication for CD is currently not well established. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients who were diagnosed with ARCO stage I-II ONFH and who underwent CD were included. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into two groups: collapse of the femoral head after CD and noncollapse of the femoral head. Independent risk factors for the failure of CD treatment were identified. Subsequently, a new scoring system that included all these risk factors was built to help estimate the individual risk of CD failure in patients who were planning to undergo CD. Results The study included 1537 hips after decompression surgery. The overall failure rate of CD surgery was 52.44%. Seven independent prognostic factors for failed CD surgery were identified, such as male sex (HR = 75.449; 95% confidence interval (CI), 42.863-132.807), Aetiology (Idiopathic HR = 2.762; 95% CI, 2.016–3.788, Steroid-induced HR = 2.543; 95% CI, 1.852–3.685), if the patient had a seated occupation (HR = 3.937; 95% CI, 2.712–5.716), age (HR = 1.045; 95% CI, 1.032–1.058), haemoglobin level (HR = 0.909; 95% CI, 0.897–0.922), disease duration (HR = 1.217; 95% CI, 1.169–1.267) and the combined necrosis angle (HR = 1.025; 95% CI, 1.022–1.028). The final scoring system included these seven risk factors, and the area under the curve of this scoring system was 0.935 (95% confidential interval = 0.922–0.948). Conclusion This new scoring system might provide evidence-based medical proof for determining whether a patient with ARCO stage I - II ONFH might benefit from CD surgery. This scoring system is crucial for making clinical decisions. Consequently, this scoring system is recommended before CD surgery, which could help determine the potential prognosis of patients.

Ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) undergoes recurring ovulatory rupture and repair. The OSE replenishing mechanism post ovulation remains unclear. Here we report that the expression of Protein C Receptor (Procr) marks a progenitor population in adult mice that is responsible for OSE repair post ovulation. Procr+  cells are the major cell source for OSE repair. The mechanism facilitating the rapid re-epithelialization is through the immediate expansion of Procr+  cells upon OSE rupture. Targeted ablation of Procr+  cells impedes the repairing process. Moreover, Procr+  cells displayed robust colony-formation capacity in culture, which we harnessed and established a long-term culture and expansion system of OSE cells. Finally, we show that Procr+  cells and previously reported Lgr5+ cells have distinct lineage tracing behavior in OSE homeostasis. Our study suggests that Procr marks progenitor cells that are critical for OSE ovulatory rupture and homeostasis, providing insight into how adult stem cells respond upon injury. The ovary is covered by a surface epithelium (OSE) and cells mediating its repair post ovulation are unclear. Here, the authors identify the Protein C Receptor (Procr) as marking progenitor cells, distinct from Lgr5+ stem cells, on the murine surface epithelium that repair the OSE post ovulation.

Currently, JavaScript malicious code detection methods are becoming more and more effective. Still, the existing methods based on deep learning are poor at detecting too long or too short JavaScript code. Based on this, this paper proposes an adaptive code length deep learning network JACLNet, composed of convolutional block RDCNet, BiLSTM and Transfrom, to capture the association features of the variable distance between codes. Firstly, an abstract syntax tree recombination algorithm is designed to provide rich syntax information for feature extraction. Secondly, a deep residual convolution block network (RDCNet) is designed to capture short-distance association features between codes. Finally, this paper proposes a JACLNet network for JavaScript malicious code detection. To verify that the model presented in this paper can effectively detect variable JavaScript code, we divide the datasets used in this paper into long text dataset DB_Long; short text dataset DB_Short, original dataset DB_Or and enhanced dataset DB_Re. In DB_Long, our method’s F 1 − score is 98.87%, higher than that of JSContana by 2.52%. In DB_Short, our method’s F 1- score is 97.32%, higher than that of JSContana by 7.79%. To verify that the abstract syntax tree recombination algorithm proposed in this paper can provide rich syntax information for subsequent models, we conduct comparative experiments on DB_Or and DB_Re. In DPCNN+BiLSTM, F 1- score with abstract syntax tree recombination increased by 1.72%, and in JSContana, F 1- score with abstract syntax tree recombination increased by 1.50%. F 1- score with abstract syntax tree recombination in JACNet improved by 1.00% otherwise unused.