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This work established the cytotoxic, antioxidant and anticancer effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) manufactured with fennel extract, especially on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well. CuNPs caused cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner for two NSCLC cell lines, A549 and H1650. At 100 μg/ml, CuNPs reduced cell viability to 70% in A549 cells and 65% in H1650 cells. which showed a cytotoxic effect (p<0. 05). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was correspondingly present in a high proportion in the cells, demonstrated upon testing. Together with their cytotoxic properties, CuNPs demonstrated high antioxidative activity. When the concentration of the nano particles was high (100 μg/ml), the ratio of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced as much as 50%, which in turn suggested antioxidant activity. There was plenty of evidence that CuNPs had anti-cancer potential; this has been shown by the effect of the molecules on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which was one of the pathways crucial for cancer survival. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR results indicated a widespread degradation of the proteins in this pathway upon CuNP exposure. Interestingly, there was a declined phosphorylation up to 75% of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR at 100 μg/ml (p<0. 001). In summary, these findings illustrated the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of CuNPs, thus making them good targets for the NSCLC treatment. CuNPs have cytotoxic and antioxidant capacity, as well as significant alterations in lung cancers pathway, and therefore they can be considered as anti-cancer candidates.

Tillering and panicle branching are important determinants of plant architecture and yield potential in rice (Oryza sativa). IDEAL PLANT ARCHITECTURE1 (IPA1) encodesSQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE14, which acts as a key transcription factor regulating tiller outgrowth and panicle branching by directly activating the expression of O. sativa TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (OsTB1) and O. sativa DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE1 (OsDEP1), thereby influencing grain yield in rice. Here, we report the identification of a rice mutant named shi1 that is characterized by dramatically reduced tiller number, enhanced culm strength, and increased panicle branch number. Map-based cloning revealed that O. sativa SHORT INTERNODES1 (OsSHI1) encodes a plant-specific transcription factor of the SHI family with a characteristic family-specific IGGH domain and a conserved zinc-finger DNA binding domain. Consistent with the mutant phenotype, OsSHI1 is predominantly expressed in axillary buds and young panicle, and its encoded protein is exclusively targeted to the nucleus. We show that OsSHI1 physically interacts with IPA1 both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, OsSHI1 could bind directly to the promoter regions of both OsTB1 and OsDEP1 through a previously unrecognized cis-element (T/GCTCTAC motif). OsSHI1 repressed the transcriptional activation activity of IPA1 by affecting its DNA binding activity toward the promoters of both OsTB1 and OsDEP1, resulting in increased tiller number and diminished panicle size. Taken together, our results demonstrate that OsSHI1 regulates plant architecture through modulating the transcriptional activity of IPA1 and provide insight into the establishment of plant architecture in rice.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a type of cerebrovascular complication that can result in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Published research have evidenced the involvement of METTL3 , a critical mRNA m 6 A methyltransferase, in the generation of various cardiovascular diseases. However, its specific role in regulating IAs remains unclear. Our research demonstrated downregulation of METTL3 in IA patients and a significant positive correlation with AMPK expression. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), overexpressing METTL3 led to an upregulation of contractile marker genes ( SM-22α & α-SMA ), while the expressions of TNF-α , IL-1β , iNOS , IL-6 , MMP- 9, and MMP-3 were significantly downregulated. This effect was reversed by the use of the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Therefore, it can be postulated that METTL3 may regulate the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs by mediating the AMPK signaling pathway. Additionally, overexpression of METTL3 can suppress the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and promote cell apoptosis. Conversely, overexpressing METTL3 in this rat IA model resulted in improved vessel morphology, enhanced wall thickness, and elevated expression of genes, SM-22α and α-SMA . However, these beneficial effects were reduced following treatment with Compound C. Furthermore, we observed higher immunofluorescence intensity of the M1 macrophage marker CD68 in IA mice compared to significantly lower levels in rats overexpressing METTL3. These results suggest that AMPK inhibition may be mediated by METTL3 , which would limit macrophage infiltration and hence prevent the development of IAs. Our investigation demonstrates that METTL3 can modulate the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway. This regulation results in inhibited migration, cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and suppression of macrophage infiltration, thereby impeding the progression of IAs.

Bamboo is now widely used in construction, papermaking, textile, furniture and other fields because of its renewable, fast-growing, high-strength, high-yield and easy processing. However, compared with wood, bamboo and bamboo products are more vulnerable to damage by fungi and pests. An effective and eco-friendly method is urgently needed to improve their physical and chemical properties, decay resistance and anti-mildew properties, and hydrophobic properties. Here, bamboo was heated with methyl silicone oil. The effect of different temperatures (140 °C–200 °C) and different times (2 h–6 h) on the properties of bamboo was studied systematically, including chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, surface wettability, decay resistance and anti-mildew property. No starch granules were observed inside the parenchymal cell lumen of bamboo specimen heat treated at 200 °C for 6 h. And with the increase of heat treatment temperature and time, the content of cellulose and hemicellulose decreases gradually while relative content of lignin increases due to its better thermal stability. Accordingly, the surface wettability decreases due to the changes of the surface functional groups and micro-morphologies. Under the condition of oil heat treatment at 160 °C for 2 h, the compressive strength parallel to grain of bamboo samples reach the maximum of 109.52 MPa. With further increase of heating temperature, the corresponding compressive strength decreases. The resulted bending strength and MOE both display similar changing trend. However, the optimal parameter is at 180 °C for 2 h, with the highest bending strength and MOE values of 142.42 MPa and 12,373.00 MPa, respectively. Finally, the decay resistance and anti-mildew property are dramatically enhanced with increased heat treatment temperature and time. All the corresponding changing mechanisms are investigated in depth and in detail. Our results provide comprehensive process parameters and micro-mechanism for the performance of oil heat treatment of bamboo, which can be used to guide the actual production.

Being the first intrinsic antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator (TI), MnBi 2 Te 4 is argued to be a topological axion state in its even-layer form due to the antiparallel magnetization between the top and bottom layers. Here we combine both transport and scanning microwave impedance microscopy (sMIM) to investigate such axion state in atomically thin MnBi 2 Te 4 with even-layer thickness at zero magnetic field. While transport measurements show a zero Hall plateau signaturing the axion state, sMIM uncovers an unexpected edge state raising questions regarding the nature of the “axion state”. Based on our model calculation, we propose that the edge state of even-layer MnBi 2 Te 4 at zero field is derived from gapped helical edge states of the quantum spin Hall effect with time-reversal-symmetry breaking, when a crossover from a three-dimensional TI MnBi 2 Te 4 to a two-dimensional TI occurs. Our finding thus signifies the richness of topological phases in MnB 2 Te 4 that has yet to be fully explored. Previous work has reported an axion insulator state in a layered topological antiferromagnet MnBi 2 Te 4 evidenced by a zero Hall plateau. Here, in addition to the zero Hall plateau, the authors identify edge states in transport measurements at zero field which challenge the axion insulator interpretation.

Lower limb isometric strength is crucial for predicting diseases, monitoring rehabilitation, and assessing activity levels. Manual testing lacks quantitative evaluation, while handheld dynamometers (HHDs) require skilled raters and isokinetic dynamometers are expensive and complex. Existing devices often focus on single-joint measurements for specific populations. To address the need for multi-joint quantitative muscle strength assessment, along with portability, affordability, and ease of use, this study developed the isometric dynamometer for the lower extremity (IDLE) to measure hip flexion, knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion strength. Its validity and reliability were evaluated in 20 healthy adults (50% female). The IDLE demonstrated excellent validity compared to a strap-fixed HHD (Pearson’s r  ≥ 0.907, ICC ≥ 0.908, P  < 0.01). Intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.926) for male knee extension (bilateral), left knee flexion, and right ankle dorsiflexion; as well as for female right hip flexion, knee extension (bilateral), and right knee flexion, and good (ICC ≥ 0.808) for other measurements. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.901) for all measurements except male right ankle dorsiflexion. The IDLE is a valid and reliable device for measuring lower extremity isometric strength in healthy adults, with further validation in clinical populations recommended.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are a newly discovered type of environmental pollutant. The potential for neurotoxicity caused by NPs and their mechanisms are unclear. The present study aimed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying neurotoxicity induced by NPs. Microglia (BV2) cells were used for in vitro studies, and it was found that NPs invaded cells, activated inflammasomes, induced the release of significant quantities of inflammatory factors by detection of inflammatory response-associated proteins through Western blot and ELISA. By detection of FITC, SOD, GSH, cellular iron level, and ferroptosis-related proteins, it was found that NPs compromised the anti-oxidative mechanisms of cells, increased intracellular lipid peroxidation and Fe2+ concentration and triggered inflammatory reactions and ferroptosis. Pretreatment with reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alleviated induction of inflammatory reactions and ferroptosis of cells. In addition, inhibiting expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) increased expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1), resulting in decreased ferroptosis, indicating that the JNK/HO-1 signaling pathway was involved in NP-induced effects on ferroptosis in BV2 cells. In conclusion, NPs could induce inflammatory responses and ferroptosis in BV2 cells. JNK/HO-1 mediated ferroptosis may serve an important role in the toxicity of microglia induced by NPs. This study provided novel evidence for the toxic effects of NPs and highlighted a theoretical mechanistic basis for safe prevention and treatment of plastic pollution-induced neurotoxicity.

Liu et al. provide new resources for improving rice by cloning a gene cluster that enhances resistance to two species of planthoppers, which cause billions of dollars of crop loss. The brown planthopper (BPH) is the most destructive pest of rice ( Oryza sativa ) and a substantial threat to rice production, causing losses of billions of dollars annually 1 , 2 . Breeding of resistant cultivars is currently hampered by the rapid breakdown of BPH resistance 2 . Thus, there is an urgent need to identify more effective BPH-resistance genes. Here, we report molecular cloning and characterization of Bph3 , a locus in rice identified more than 30 years ago that confers resistance to BPH. We show that Bph3 is a cluster of three genes encoding plasma membrane–localized lectin receptor kinases (OsLecRK1-OsLecRK3). Introgression of Bph3 into susceptible rice varieties by transgenic or marker-assisted selection strategies significantly enhanced resistance to both the BPH and the white back planthopper. Our results suggest that these lectin receptor kinase genes function together to confer broad-spectrum and durable insect resistance and provide a resource for molecular breeding of insect-resistant rice cultivars.

The van der Waals antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi 2 Te 4 represents a promising platform for exploring the layer-dependent magnetism and topological states of matter. Recently observed discrepancies between magnetic and transport properties have aroused controversies concerning the topological nature of MnBi 2 Te 4 in the ground state. In this article, we demonstrate that fabrication can induce mismatched even-odd layer dependent magnetotransport in few-layer MnBi 2 Te 4 . We perform a comprehensive study of the magnetotransport properties in 6- and 7-septuple-layer MnBi 2 Te 4 , and reveal that both even- and odd-number-layer device can show zero Hall plateau phenomena in zero magnetic field. Importantly, a statistical survey of the optical contrast in more than 200 MnBi 2 Te 4 flakes reveals that the zero Hall plateau in odd-number-layer devices arises from the reduction of the effective thickness during the fabrication, a factor that was rarely noticed in previous studies of 2D materials. Our finding not only provides an explanation to the controversies regarding the discrepancy of the even-odd layer dependent magnetotransport in MnBi 2 Te 4 , but also highlights the critical issues concerning the fabrication and characterization of 2D material devices. MnBi2Te4 is an antiferromagnetic topological insulator. This combination of magnetic ordering and topological properties has resulted in intense interest, however, like many van der Waals materials, experimental results are hampered by fabrication difficulties. Here, Li, Wang, Lian et al. show that the fabrication process itself can result in mismatched thickness dependence of magneto-transport measurements. ‘

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a facultative short-day (SD) plant, flowering early under SD and late under long-day (LD) conditions. Ghd7 is a major regulator of flowering time in rice, which strongly delays flowering under LD. Induction of Ghd7 expression by phytochromes has been shown to contribute to photoperiodic regulation of flowering in rice. Here, we show that Ghd7 also is regulated by phytochromes at a post-transcriptional level. We found that constitutive expression of Ghd7 delays flowering in the wild-type (WT) background, but not in the se5 mutant background (deficient in functional phytochromes) under LD and that Ghd7 protein fails to accumulate in the se5 mutant. We also found that co-expressing OsGIGANTEA (OsGI) with Ghd7 causes reduced accumulation of Ghd7 protein and partially suppresses the delayed flowering phenotype in the WT background, suggesting that phytochromes and OsGI play antagonist roles in regulating Ghd7 protein stability and flowering time. We show that OsPHYA, OsPHYB and OsGI could directly interact with Ghd7. Interestingly, OsPHYA and OsPHYB could inhibit the interaction between OsGI and Ghd7, thus helping to stabilize Ghd7 protein. Our results revealed a new level of Ghd7 regulation by phytochromes and OsGI in photoperiodic control of flowering in rice.