Medical ozone alleviates acute lung injury by enhancing phagocytosis targeting NETs via AMPK/SR-A1 axis

Acute lung injury(ALI)linked to sepsis has a high mortality rate,with limited treatment options available.In recent studies,medical ozone has shown the potential to alleviate inflammation and infection.Here,we aimed to evaluate therapeutic potential of medical ozone in a mouse model of the sepsis-induced ALI by measuring behavioral assessments,lung function,and blood flow.Protein levels were quantified by Western blotting.In vitro,we performed experiments on bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)to investigate the effect of adenosine monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)inhibitors and agonists on their phagocytic activity.The results showed that medical ozone significantly improved the survival rate,ameliorated lung injury,and enhanced lung function and limb microcirculation in mice with ALI.Notably,medical ozone inhibited the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs),a crucial factor in the ALI development.Additionally,medical ozone counteracted the elevated levels of tissue factor,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and interleukin-1β.In the ALI mice,the effects of ozone were abolished,and BMDMs showed an impaired capacity to engulf NETs following the Sr-a1 knockout.Under normal physiological conditions,the administration of an AMPK antagonist showed similar effects on the Sr-a1 knockout,significantly inhibiting the phagocytosis of NETs by BMDMs.In contrast,AMPK agonists enhanced this phagocytic process.In conclusion,medical ozone may alleviate the sepsis-induced lung injury through the AMPK/SR-A1 pathway,thereby enhancing the phagocytosis of NETs by macrophages.

Improving treatment for Parkinson’s disease:Harnessing photothermal and phagocytosis-driven delivery of levodopa nanocarriers across the blood-brain barrier

Parkinson’s disease(PD)poses a significant therapeutic challenge,mainly due to the limited ability of drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier(BBB)without undergoing metabolic transformations.Levodopa,a key component of dopamine replacement therapy,effectively enhances dopaminergic activity.However,it encounters obstacles from peripheral decarboxylase,hindering its passage through the BBB.Furthermore,levodopa metabolism generates reactive oxygen species(ROS),exacerbating neuronal damage.Systemic pulsatile dosing further disrupts natural physiological buffering mechanisms.In this investigation,we devised a ROS-responsive levodopa prodrug system capable of releasing the drug and reducing ROS levels in the central nervous system.The prodrug was incorporated within second near-infrared region(NIR-II)gold nanorods(AuNRs)and utilized angiopep-2(ANG)for targeted delivery across the BBB.The processes of tight junction opening and endocytosis facilitated improved levodopa transport.ROS scavenging helped alleviate neuronal oxidative stress,leading to enhanced behavioral outcomes and reduced oxidative stress levels in a mouse model of PD.Following treatment,the PD mouse model exhibited enhanced flexibility,balance,and spontaneous exploratory activity.This approach successfully alleviated the motor impairments associated with the disease model.Consequently,our strategy,utilizing NIR-II AuNRs and ANG-mediated BBB penetration,coupled with the responsive release of levodopa,offers a promising approach for dopamine supplementation and microenvironmental regulation.This system holds substantial potential as an efficient platform for delivering neuroprotective drugs and advancing PD therapy.

Boxing Practitioners Physiology Review: 3. Dietary Supplementation, Weight Control, Recovery and Altitude

The preceding parts of the review concerned kinanthropometric parameters, skeletal muscle recruitment, ergometry, systemic responses and adaptations. Main teachings of this third part of the whole review follow. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Game, most vitamin users (91 percent) were boxers. After 18 days of endurance training at the altitude of 1800 m, in boxers, 1) erythropoietin and reticulocytes values increased, 2) remained unchanged parameters of iron metabolism and maximal oxygen uptake values, 3) iron supplementation decreased total body hemoglobin values. Zinc supplementation and/or regularity while boxing influenced plasma levels of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc in boxers. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion increased punches frequency and time to fatigue in boxers. Boxing-induced thermal dehydration yielded 1) body and muscle masses decrease compensated by increased neural input to muscle, to maintain muscle strength, but 2) a 26.8 percent performance fall. In boxers, fluid and food intake restriction 1) changed neither blood vitamin status nor plasma glutathione levels, 2) yielded a) a negative mood profile and a performance decrease, when resulted in body mass fall by 5.16 percent but b) no performance decrease when fall was by three percent. Diet protein or protein and caloric components decrease increased, in boxers, protein catabolism and, for the same submaximal workload, heart rate and oxygen intake. In food-restricted boxers, myoprotein catabolism increased with decreasing meal intake frequency. Competition and no-competition boxers utilize massage. Massage increased perceptions of recovery after a whole boxing performance. High level of cardiorespiratory fitness accelerates recovery process between boxing rounds.

Corrigendum:Disentangling brain PrPC proteoforms and their roles in physiology and disease

In the article titled“Disentangling brain PrPC proteoforms and their roles in physiology and disease”,published on pages 963-965,Issue 5,Volume 19 of Neural Regeneration Research(Vanni and Romolo,2024;doi:10.4103/1673-5374.385302),the name of the second author appears incorrectly.The correct name is Romolo Nonno.

Phagocytosis: A Practical Approach for Evaluating Neutrophil Function in Health and Disease

Neutrophils, crucial players in the effector phase of the immune response, are recognized as important mediators of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Through the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, they modulate the function of T and other lymphoid cells. Countless reports have highlighted the importance of these cells as efficient antimicrobial agents and annotated their involvement in the pathology of infectious and noninfectious diseases. The development of modern, sophisticated technologies has allowed the study of the functions of these cells in clinical settings. These advanced technologies include fluorescence-activated cell sorters, confocal microscopy, automated cell image analyzers, and live cell analysis instruments. Unfortunately, the cost of these modern instruments, maintenance, reagents, and the need for qualified technicians prohibit their use in low-income laboratories and universities in developing countries. With this in mind, we propose a series of basic tests that can be used in low-input clinical laboratories and universities to evaluate the function of neutrophils in health and disease. Our methodology allows us to assess in a practical and low-cost manner the functions of neutrophils in the phagocytic process, including opsonization, ingestion, ROI production (NBT reduction), myeloperoxidase content, phagosome-lysosome fusion, microbicidal activity, and NET production. Thus, under a disadvantageous ambiance, this may guide physicians in deciding whether a patient’s illness involves phagocytic defects without imposing a heavy financial burden.Graphical Abstract[-rId13-]

Physiology of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought stress

Drought poses a significant challenge,restricting the productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants.The strain induced by drought can impede vital processes like respiration and photosynthesis,affecting various aspects of plants’growth and metabolism.In response to this adversity,medicinal plants employ mechanisms such as morphological and structural adjustments,modulation of drought-resistant genes,and augmented synthesis of secondary metabolites and osmotic regulatory substances to alleviate the stress.Extreme water scarcity can lead to leaf wilting and may ultimately result in plant death.The cultivation and management of medicinal plants under stress conditions often differ from those of other crops.This is because the main goal with medicinal plants is not only to increase the yield of the above-ground parts but also to enhance the production of active ingredients such as essential oils.To elucidate these mechanisms of drought resistance in medicinal and aromatic plants,the current review provides a summary of recent literature encompassing studies on the morphology,physiology,and biochemistry of medicinal and aromatic plants under drought conditions.

Effects of Inoculation with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on the Physiology,Biochemistry,and Expression of Genes Related to the Protective Enzyme System of Fritillaria taipaiensis P.Y.Li

Fritillaria taipaiensis P.Y.Li is a widely used medicinal herb in treating pulmonary diseases.In recent years,its wild resources have become scarce,and the demand for efficient artificial cultivation has significantly increased.This article is the first to apply phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere soil of F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li to the cultivation process of F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li.The aim is to identify suitable reference strains for the artificial cultivation and industrial development of F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li by examining the effects of various phosphate solubilizing bacteria and their combinations on photosynthesis,physiological and biochemical properties,and gene expression related to the protective enzyme system in F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li.The experiment,conducted in pots at room temperature,included a control group(CK)and groups inoculated with inorganic phosphorussolubilizing bacteria:W1(Bacillus cereus),W2(Serratia plymuthica),W12(Bacillus cereus and Serratia plymuthica),and groups inoculated with organophosphorus-solubilizing bacteria:Y1(Bacillus cereus),Y2(Bacillus cereus),Y12(Bacillus cereus and Bacillus cereus),totaling seven groups.Compared to CK,most growth indices in the bacterial addition groups showed significant differences,with W12 achieving the highest values in all indices except the leaf area index.The content of photosynthetic pigments,photosynthetic parameters,and osmoregulatory substances increased variably in each bacterial treatment group.W12 exhibited the highest content of chlorophyll a and soluble protein,while W1 had the highest free proline content.The activities of peroxidase(POD),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and catalase(CAT)in all inoculated groups were higher than in CK,with significant changes in SOD and CAT activities.The malondialdehyde(MDA)content in all inoculated groups was lower than in CK,with Y12 being the lowest,at approximately 30%of CK.Gene expression corresponding to these three enzymes also increased variably,with POD expression in Y2 being the highest at 2.73 times that of CK.SOD and CAT expression in Y12 were the highest,at 1.84 and 4.39 times that of CK,respectively.These results indicate that inoculating phosphate solubilizing bacteria can enhance the growth of F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li,with the mixed inoculation groups W12 and Y12 demonstrating superior effects.This lays a theoretical foundation for selecting bacterial fertilizers in the cultivation process of F.taipaiensis P.Y.Li.

Review on physiological and ecological characteristics and agronomic regulatory pathways of intercropping to delay root and canopy senescence of crops

Intercropping has been widely used in arid and semi-arid regions because of its high yield,stable productivity,and efficient utilization of resources.However,in recent years,the high yield of traditional intercropping is mainly attributed to the large amount of purchased resources such as water and fertilizer,plastic film,and mechanical power.These lead to a decline in cultivated land quality and exacerbate intercrops'premature root and canopy senescence.So,the application of traditional intercropping faces major challenges in crop production.This paper analyzes the manifestations,occurrence mechanisms,and agronomic regulatory pathways of crop senescence.The physiological and ecological characteristics of intercropping to delay root and canopy senescence of crops are reviewed in this paper.The main agronomic regulatory pathways of intercropping to delay root and canopy senescence of crops are based on above-and blow-ground interactions,including collocation of crop varieties,spatial arrangement,water and fertilizer management,and tillage and mulch practices.Future research fields of intercropping to delay root and canopy senescence should focus on the aspects of selecting and breeding special varieties,application of molecular biology techniques,and developing or applying models to predict and evaluate the root and canopy senescence process of intercrops.Comprehensive analysis and evaluation of different research results could provide a basis for enhancing intercropping delay root and canopy senescence through adopting innovative technologies for regulating the physio-ecological characteristics of intercrops.This would support developing and adopting high-yield,efficient,and sustainable intercropping systems in arid and semi-arid areas with high population density,limited land,and abundant light and heat resources.

Physiology and Ultrastructure of Azolla imbricata as Affected by Hg 2+ and Cd 2+ Toxicity

The toxic effects of different gradient concentrations of Hg2+ and Cd2+ on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b value, photosynthetic O-2 evolution, respiration rate, anti-oxidase system (superoxide dismulase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD)) and ultrastructure of the cells of Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) Nakai were studied. The results showed that with Hg2+ and Cd2+ increase, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b value, photosynthetic O-2 evolution decreased drastically; respiration rate peaked at 2 mg/L pollutant and declined afterwards. The activities of SOD, CAT and POD increased first and decreased afterwards except the activity of POD, which decreased with the increasing of Cd2+ concentration. Ultrastructural observation showed that the extent of ultrastructural damage was much more serious with higher pollutant concentration and longer time of stress. This resulted in swelling of chloroplast, disruption and disappearance of chloroplast membrane and disintegration of chloroplasts; swelling of cristae of mitochondria, deformation and vacuolization of mitochondria; condensation of chromatin in nucleus, dispersion of nucleolus and disruption of nuclear membrane. The experimental results showed: (1) Hg2+ and Cd2+ pollution not only destroyed physiological activities, but also caused irreversible damage to its ultrastructure, thus leading the cells to death; (2) With increase in the stress of Hg2+ and Cd2+, ultrastructural damage was related to the changes of plant physiology; (3) The toxic symptoms of plant showed an evident correlation between dose and effect; (4) The toxicity of Cd2+ on A. imbricata is heavier than that of Hg2+ under the same treatment time and concentration. The lethal concentration of Hg2+ to A. imbricata ranged from 3.5 to 4 mg/L, and that of Cd2+ ranged from 3 to 3.5 mg/L. The damage of cell ultrastructure on Anabaena azollae Strasburger was observed. The results indicated that tolerance of Azolla imbricata for Hg2+ and Cd2+ was higher than that of A. imbricata.

Effects of Heavy Metals and Saline-alkali on Growth,Physiology and Biochemistry of Orychophragmus violaceus

[Objective] The aim was to study on effects of heavy metals and saline-alkali on growth, physiology and biochemistry of Orychophragmus violaceus. [Method] Taken Orychophragmus violaceus as materials, growth, physiology and biochemistry were explored under stress of saline-alkali and heavy metals (light, moderate and severe saline-alkali, Pb, Pb + Cd, light saline-alkali + Pb, moderate saline-alkali + Pb, severe saline-alkali + Pb, light saline-alkali + Pb + Cd, moderate saline-alkali + Pb + Cd and severe saline-alkali + Pb + Cd) with control group set. [Result] Light stress of saline-alkali had little effect on membrane permeability, as follows: MDA contents in leaves and root systems declined by 25.6% and 9.0% compared with control group; Pb (500 mg/L) stress promoted synthetization of photosynthetic pigments, as follows: chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid increased by 0.86%, 0.69% and 6.25% than those of control group; combined stresses of Pb and Cd destroyed synthetization of photosynthetic pigments, among which carotenoid was more sensitive; under combined stresses of saline-alkali, Pb and Cd, POD and SOD activities, soluble saccharides and Pro content all increased and activities of POD and SOD in root system were both higher than those in leaves. [Conclusion] Orychophragmus violaceus is with resistance against light combined stresses of saline-alkali and Pb (500 mg/L).

Effects of Controlled Atmospheres with High_O_2 or High_CO_2 Concentrations on Postharvest Physiology and Storability of "Napoleon" Sweet Cherry

Sweet cherries ( Prunus avium L. cv. Napoleon) were stored in controlled atmospheres (CA) of high O(2) (70% O(2) + 0% CO(2)) or high CO(2) (5% O(2) + 10% CO(2)), in modified atmosphere package (MAP, (13% - 18%) O(2) + (2% -4%) CO(2)) and in air (control) at 1 degreesC to investigate the effects of different O(2) and CO(2) concentrations on physiological properties, quality and storability of the fruits during storage. The results indicated that compared with other treatments, CA with high O(2) concentration decreased fruit decay and ethanol content, but increased the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and stimulated browning. CA with high CO(2) concentration inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, reduced MDA content, maintained vitamin C content and firmness, decreased fruit decay and browning. Soluble solids contents (SSC) were not significantly affected by different atmosphere treatments. 'Napoleon' fruits stored in 5% O(2) + 10% CO(2) for as long as 80 d were of good quality, but only 40, 20 and 30 d stored in MAP, 70% O(2) + 0% CO(2) and air, re-spectively.

从Ousiology到Physiology——古代晚期基督教哲学论Being、Physis和Koinonia的关系

本文论述了古代晚期基督教哲学建立的Being语义学新典范,分析了古代西方本体论(Ontology)从Ousiology到Physiology的转变。据此,本文阐释了基督教哲学家在Being、Physis和Koinonia之间确立的新关系,以及从不同方面(主体性、历史性、关系性和动力学)所赋予Being的新意义。

Studies on Endogenous Hormones and Nutritional Physiology Related to the Premature Senescence of Super-hybrid Rice Liangyoupeijiu and Its Parents at Late Growth Stage

The amount of root bleeding sap, contents of chlorophyl , nutrients and hormones in flag leaves of a super-hybrid rice cultivar Liangyoupeijiu （LYPJ） and its parents 9311 and Pei’ai 64S after heading were measured in this study. The re-sults revealed that compared with 9311, the chlorophyl content of LYPJ reduced more quickly after heading, and then kept at a lower level, which was an obvious characteristic of premature senescence. The other physiological indices of LYPJ af-ter heading except abscisic acid （ABA） content in leaf and root also maintained at a lower level than 9311, while al the physiological indices of the sterile line Pei＇ai 64S were lower than LYPJ. So it was speculated that the early-aging characteristic of LYPJ may be inherited from Pei’ai 64S. Al the leaf and root early-aging traits reduced for LYPJ and its parent lines after heading, their leaf and root aged grad-ual y, which indicated that the above-ground （leaf） and under-ground （root） parts cor-related to each other closely, but there was not absolute correlations between them judged from the data.

从《Plant Physiology》的引文分析看植物生理学国外核心期刊的分布

用文献计量学方法，对《Plantphysiology）（植物生理学）1996—1998年刊载的论文及其引文进行统计分析，选出植物生理学国外核心期刊30种，并进行了分析。

Liver physiology and liver diseases in the elderly

The liver experiences various changes with aging that could affect clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with liver diseases.Both liver volume and blood flow decrease significantly with age.These changes and decreased cytochrome P450 activity can affect drug metabolism,increasing susceptibility to drug-induced liver injury.Immune responses against pathogens or neoplastic cells are lower in the elderly,although these individuals may be predisposed to autoimmunity through impairment of dendritic cell maturation and reduction of regulatory T cells.These changes in immune functions could alter the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis and autoimmune liver diseases,as well as the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.Moreover,elderly patients have significantly decreased reserve functions of various organs,reducing their tolerability to treatments for liver diseases.Collectively,aged patients show various changes of the liver and other organs that could affect the clinical characteristics and management of liver diseases in these patients.

Specific function and modulation of teleost monocytes/macrophages: polarization and phagocytosis

Macrophages exist in most tissues and play a variety of functions in vertebrates.Teleost fish species are found in most aquatic environments throughout the world and are quite diverse for a group of vertebrate animals.Due to whole genome duplication and en vironme ntal adaptati on,teleost monocytes/macrophages possess a variety of different functions and modulations compared with those of mammals.A deeper understanding of teleost monocytes/macrophages in the immune system will not only help develop teleost-specific methods of disease prevention but will also help improve our understanding of the various immune mechanisms in mammals.In this review,we summarize the differences in polarizati on and phagocytosis of teleost and mammalian macrophages to improve our understanding of the various immune mechanisms in vertebrates.

Effects of Aeration on Root Physiology and Nitrogen Metabolism in Rice

In order to clarify the effects of aeration on root nitrogen metabolism in rice seedlings,rice cultivars Guodao 6 （indica） and Xiushui 09 （japonica） were investigated for root growth,the activities of glutamine synthetase （GS）,glutamic acid-pyruvic acid transaminase （GPT） and glutamic acid oxaloacetate transaminase （GOT）,the nitrate （NO 3-N） concertration,the contents of free amino acids and soluble sugar in root under hydroponics with continuous aeration treatment.The results showed that rice seedlings grown in oxygenation solutions had higher root dry matter,longer root length,stronger root activity and larger root absorption area compared with the control.In addition,the contents of soluble sugar,root vigor and the activities of GS,GOT and GPT in the aeration solutions were higher than those in the control.The results also indicated that the activities of enzymes involved in root nitrogen metabolism of Xiushui 09 were enhanced by aeration,however,there was no significant influence on root nitrogen metabolism of Guodao 6,which suggested that effect of oxygenation on rice root nitrogen metabolism might be genotype-specific.

Clearing the corpses： regulatory mechanisms, novel tools, and therapeutic potential of harnessing microglial phagocytosis in the diseased brain

Apoptosis is a widespread phenomenon that occurs in the brain in both physiological and pathological conditions. Dead ceils must be quickly removed to avoid the further toxic effects they exert in the pa- renchyma, a process executed by microglia, the brain professional phagocytes. Although phagocytosis is critical to maintain tissue homeostasis, it has long been either overlooked or indirectly assessed based on microglial morphology, expression of classical activation markers, or engulfment of artificial phagocytic targets in vitro. Nevertheless, these indirect methods present several limitations and, thus, direct obser- vation and quantification of microglial phagocytosis is still necessary to fully grasp its relevance in the diseased brain. To overcome these caveats and obtain a comprehensive, quantitative picture of microglial phagocytosis we have developed a novel set of parameters. These parameters have allowed us to identify the different strategies utilized by microglia to cope with apoptotic challenges induced by excitotoxicity or inflammation. In contrast, we discovered that in mouse and human epilepsy microglia failed to find and engulf apoptotic ceils, resulting in accumulation of debris and inflammation. Herein, we advocate that the efficiency of microglial phagocytosis should be routinely tested in neurodegenerative and neuro- logical disorders, in order to determine the extent to which it contributes to apoptosis and inflammation found in these conditions. Finally, our findings point towards enhancing microglial phagocytosis as a novel therapeutic strategy to control tissue damage and inflammation, and accelerate recovery in brain diseases.

Root Morphology and Physiology in Relation to the Yield Formation of Rice

Root system is a vital part of plant and regulates many aspects of shoot growth and development. This paper reviews how some traits of root morphology and physiology are related to the formation of grain yield in rice （Oryza sativa L.）. Higher root biomass, root oxidation activity, and cytokinin contents in roots are required for achieving more panicle number, more spikelets per panicle, greater grain-filling percentage, and higher grain yield. However, these root traits are not linearly correlated with yield components. When these traits reach very high levels, grain filling and grain yield are not necessarily enhanced. High numbers of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and amyloplasts in root tip cells benefit root and shoot growth and yield formation. Proper crop management, such as an alternate wetting and moderate soil drying irrigation, can significantly improve ultra-structure of root tip cells, increase root length density and concentration of cytokinins in root bleedings, and consequently, increase grain-filling percentage, grain yield, and water use efficiency. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism underlying root-shoot and root-soil interactions for high grain yield, the roles of root-sourced hormones in regulating crop growth and development and the effects of soil moisture and nutrient management on the root architecture and physiology.

Response of root morphology, physiology and endogenous hormones in maize(Zea mays L.) to potassium deficiency

Potassium （K） deficiency is one of the major abiotic stresses which has drastically influenced maize growth and yield around the world. However, the physiological mechanism of K deficiency tolerance is not yet fully understood. To identify the differences of root morphology, physiology and endogenous hormones at different growing stages, two maize inbred lines 90-21-3 （tolerance to K deficiency） and D937 （sensitive to K deficiency） were cultivated in the long-term K fertilizer experimental pool under high potassium （＋K） and low potassium （-K） treatments. The results indicated that the root length, volume and surface area of 90-21-3 were significantly higher than those of D937 under -K treatment at different growing stages. It was noteworthy that the lateral roots of 90-21-3 were dramatically higher than those of D937 at tasselling and flowering stage under-K treatment. Meanwhile, the values of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and oxidizing force of 90-21-3 were apparently higher than those of D937, whereas malondialdehyde （MDA） content of D937 was obviously increased. Compared with ＋K treatment, the indole-3-acetic acid （IAA） content of 90-21-3 was largely increased under-K treatment, whereas it was sharply decreased in D937. On the contrary, abscisic acid （ABA） content of 90-21-3 was slightly increased, but that of D937 was significantly increased. The zeatin riboside （ZR） content of 90-21-3 was significantly decreased, while that of D937 was relatively increased. These results indicated that the endogenous hormones were stimulated in 90-21-3 to adjust lateral root development and to maintain the physiology function thereby alleviating K deficiency.