Resistance index and browning mechanism of apple peel under high temperature stress

Apples are one of the most important economic crops worldwide.Because of global warming and an aggravation of environmental,abnormally high temperatures occur frequently in fruit-growing season and seriously affect normal fruit growth and reduce fruit quality and yield.We took five-year-old Ruixue’(Qinfu 1×Pink Lady;CNA20151469.1) fruits as test materials,and the ambient temperature during fruit development was monitored.The results showed that during the fruit-growing season,especially during the rapid growth stage (July to August),the maximum daily temperature exceeded 30℃ and lasted for more than 40 days.To determine the effects of high temperature stress on the apple fruit resistance,we treated expanding,veraison,and maturity-period fruits at different temperatures.It was found that the fruits of the expanding period showed strong resistance to high temperature stress,whereas during veraison and maturity,fruit resistance to high temperature stress decreased,and the fruit peel browning phenotype appeared.Meanwhile,the content of malonaldehyde (MDA),hydrogen peroxide (H_(2)O_(2)),and superoxide anion (O._(2)^(-)) in the peel gradually increased with increasing temperature.The content of total phenols,flavanol,and flavonoids in the peel decreased substantially at 45℃.Moreover,it was found that polyphenol oxidase gene (MdPPO1) was most sensitive to high temperature stress in apple.Furthermore,transient and stable MdPPO1 overexpression significantly promoted peel browning.The transgenic materials were more sensitive to high temperatures,and browning was more severe compared to non-genetically modified organism (WT).Stable MdPPO1 knockout calli obtained via clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) gene knockout technology reduced the browning phenotype,and the resultant fruits were not sensitive to the effects of high temperature stress.Thus,MdPPO1 expression may be a key factor of high temperature-related changes observed in the browning phenotype that provides a scientific theoretical basis for the selection of high temperature-resistant varieties and apple cultivation and management in the future.

Folded technique of self-adherent wrap improves clinical outcomes for wounds after orbital tumour extirpation:a single-center,prospective randomized controlled trial

Background:Using a randomized controlled trial(RCT),to assess the efficacy of the folded technique of self-adherent wrap to eyes after orbital tumour extirpation and compare it with the classic technique.Methods:A single-centre,prospective,randomized,controlled study was conducted among 128 patients who underwent orbital tumour extirpation in this study.The folded and classic techniques of applying self-adherent wraps were randomly allocated to patients(1:1).The primary endpoint was the interface pressure on the affected eye.Secondary efficacy endpoints were the interface pressure above and below the ear of the affected side,above the ear of the non-affected side,and discomfort scores.Postoperative complications were observed for 24 hours.Results:The interface pressure with the folded technique on the affected eye was neither inferior nor superior to the classic technique(1.33±0.07 vs.1.41±0.09 mmHg,P=0.480).Most importantly,the pressure at three other points outside of the affected eye,including above and below the ear of the affected side,and above the ear of the non-affected side,were significantly higher when using the classic technique than when using the folded technique(P=0.041,0.019,and 0.047,respectively).Discomfort scores were higher in the classic technique group than in the folded technique group(2.93±0.30 vs.1.52±0.19,P≤0.001).Conclusions:Findings demonstrated the advantages of using folded technique to apply self-adherent wrap for wounds after orbital tumour extirpation with lower interface pressure outside of the affected eye and patient discomfort scores,without influencing pressure on the affected eye comparing with the classic technique.

Correlation mechanism of friction behavior and topological properties of the contact network during powder compaction

The effect of friction behavior on the compacted density is significant, but the relationship between the topological properties of the contact network and friction behavior during powder compaction remains unclear. Based on the discrete element method (DEM), a DEM model for die compaction was established, and the Hertz contact model was modified into an elastoplastic contact model that was more suitable for metal-powder compaction. The evolution of the topological properties of the contact network and its mechanism during powder compaction was explored using the elastoplastic contact model. The results demonstrate that the friction behavior between the particles is closely related to the topological properties of the contact network. Side wall friction results in smaller clustering coefficient (CC) and excess contact (EC) in the lower region near the side wall. Corresponding to this phenomenon, the upper region near the side wall has more high-stress particles when the major principal stress threshold was considered, and the CC and EC are significantly higher than those in the other regions. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving powder compaction behavior.

Recommendation on data collection and annotation of ocular appearance images in ptosis

Ptosis is a common ophthalmologic condition,and the diagnosis is primarily based on ocular appearance.Thediagnosis of such conditions can be improved using emerging technology such as artificial intelligence-basedmethods.However,unified data collection and labeling standards have not yet been established.This directlyimpacts the accuracy of ptosis diagnosis based on appearance alone.Therefore,in the present study,we aimedto establish a procedure to obtain and label images to devise a recommendation system for optimal recognitionof ptosis based on ocular appearances.This would help to standardize and facilitate data sharing and serve as aguideline for the development and improvisation of algorithms in artificial intelligence for ptosis.

Activation of Piezo1 contributes to matrix stiffness-induced angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Despite integrin being highlighted as a stiffness-sensor molecule in matrix stiffness-driven angiogenesis,other stiffness-sensor molecules and their mechanosensory pathways related to angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)remain obscure.Here,we explored the interplay between Piezo1 and integrinβ1 in the mechanosensory pathway and their effects on HCC angiogenesis to better understand matrix stiffness-induced angiogenesis.Methods:The role of Piezo1 in matrix stiffness-induced angiogenesis was investigated using orthotopic liver cancer SD rat models with high liver stiffness background,and its clinical significance was evaluated in human HCC tissues.Matrix stiffness-mediated Piezo1 upregulation and activation were assayed using an in vitro fibronectin(FN)-coated cell culture system with different stiffness,Western blotting and Ca^(2+)probe.The effects of shPiezo1-conditioned medium(CM)on angiogenesis were examined by tube formation assay,wound healing assay and angiogenesis array.The underlying mechanism by which Piezo1 participated in matrix stiffness-induced angiogenesis was analyzed by microRNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),matrix stiffness measurement,dual-luciferase reporter assay,ubiquitination assay and co-immunoprecipitation.Results:Increased matrix stiffness significantly upregulated Piezo1 expression at both cellular and tissue levels,and high expression of Piezo1 indicated an unfavorable prognosis.High matrix stiffness also noticeably enhanced the activation level of Piezo1,similar to its expression level.Piezo1 knockdown significantly suppressed tumor growth,angiogenesis,and lung metastasis of HCC rat models with high liver stiffness background.shPiezo1-CM from HCC cells attenuated tube formation and migration abilities of vascular endothelial cells remarkably,and analysis of differentially expressed pro-angiogenic factors revealed that Piezo1 promoted the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),CXC chemokine ligand 16(CXCL16)and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2(IGFBP2).Matrix stiffness-caused Piezo1 upregulation/activation restrained hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)ubiquitination,subsequently enhanced the expression of downstream pro-angiogenic factors to accelerate HCC angiogenesis.Besides,collagen 1(COL1)-reinforced tissue stiffening resulted in more expression of Piezo1 via miR-625-5p.Conclusions:This study unravels a new mechanism by which the inte-grinβ1/Piezo1 activation/Ca2+influx/HIF-1αubiquitination/VEGF,CXCL16 and IGFBP2 pathway participates in matrix stiffness-driven HCC angiogenesis.Simultaneously,a positive feedback regulation loop as stiff matrix/integrinβ1/miR-625-5p/Piezo1 and COL1/stiffer matrix mediates matrix stiffness-caused Piezo1 upregulation.

Relationship between the real contact behavior and tribological characteristics of cotton fabric

The tribological characteristics of cotton fibers play an important role in engineering and materials science,and real contact behavior is a significant aspect in the friction behavior of cotton fibers.In this study,the tribological characteristics of cotton fibers and their relationship with the real contact behavior are investigated through reciprocating linear tribotesting and real contact analysis.Results show that the friction coefficient decreases with a general increase in load or velocity,and the load and velocity exhibit a co‐influence on the friction coefficient.The dynamic change in the real contact area is recorded clearly during the experiments and corresponds to the fluctuations observed in the friction coefficient.Moreover,the friction coefficient is positively correlated with the real contact area based on a quantitative analysis of the evolution of friction behavior and the real contact area at different loads and velocities.This correlation is evident at low velocities and medium load.

Synthesis of high-purity mesoporous nanosilica microspheres from retired composite insulators based on orthogonal experiment

Silicone rubber is an indispensable insulation material for power equipment and is difficult to degrade naturally,posing a serious threat to the environment.It remains challenging to dispose this alarming amount of waste.In our previous research,a green pyrolysis recycling method was proposed for waste composite insulators.In this article,the experimental device was further improved,and the recycling process was optimised by orthogonal experiments to obtain nanosilica microspheres(NSMs)with higher purity and controllable particle size for the state-of-the-art engineering applications.Firstly,the effect of three factors(calcination temperature,constant-temperature duration,and heating rate)on the particle size of NSMs were investigated by single-factor analysis.ANOVA and response analyses were then used to examine the goodness of fit of the multi-parameter fitting equation and the interaction impact of multiple factors on the particle size.Finally,homogeneous mesoporous NSMs with higher purity(increased from 97%to 99%)and smaller particle size(decreased from 160 to 103 nm were prepared under the guidance of model.The SiO_(2)-recovery rate of this method was 74.7%,revealing superior economic value.