ABSTRACT

Although WRKY transcription factors play crucial roles in plant responses to high‐temperature stress, little is known about Group IIb WRKY family members. Here, we identified the WRKY‐IIb protein PlWRKY47 from herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), which functioned as a nuclear‐localized transcriptional activator. The expression level of PlWRKY47 was positively correlated with high‐temperature tolerance. Silencing of PlWRKY47 in P. lactiflora resulted in the decreased tolerance to high‐temperature stress by accumulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overexpression of PlWRKY47 improved plant high‐temperature tolerance through decreasing ROS accumulation. Moreover, PlWRKY47 directly bound to the promoter of cytosolic glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase 2 (PlGAPC2) gene and activated its transcription. PlGAPC2 was also positively regulated high‐temperature tolerance in P. lactiflora by increasing NAD⁺ content to inhibit ROS generation. Additionally, PlWRKY47 physically interacted with itself to form a homodimer, and PlWRKY47 could also interact with one Group IIb WRKY family member PlWRKY72 to form a heterodimer, they all promoted PlWRKY47 to bind to and activate PlGAPC2. These data support that the PlWRKY47‐PlWRKY47 homodimer and PlWRKY72‐PlWRKY47 heterodimer can directly activate PlGAPC2 expression to improve high‐temperature tolerance by inhibiting ROS generation in P. lactiflora. These results will provide important insights into the plant high‐temperature stress response by WRKY‐IIb transcription factors.

Summary statement

Herbaceous peony PlWRKY47‐PlWRKY47 homodimer and PlWRKY72‐PlWRKY47 heterodimer can directly activate the expression of cytosolic glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase 2 gene to improve high‐temperature tolerance by increasing NAD⁺ content to inhibit ROS generation.

• Book : 48(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.226-243
• Keyword :

Abstract

Convection, that is, mixed magnetohydrodynamics stream of Williamson nanofluid in excess of a nonlinearly stretchable permeable sheet, has been studied using a mathematical model that includes thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, heat source/sink, chemical reaction, and suction are all examples of thermal radiation are all examples of how heat is dissipated. By availing the controlling similarity transformations, suitable similarity transformations partial differential equations are reduced into the solution of a set of ordinary differential equations that are nonlinear using the homotopy analysis method. There is also a clear approach to get series solutions to converge. There was a strong correlation between the current and past outcomes. Graphs and tables are used to illustrate the nature of the flow field beneath various conditions.

• Book : 54(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.351-374
• Keyword :

Objectives

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a 3‐dimensional spinal deformity involving lateral curvature, sagittal plane imbalance, and vertebral rotation. In China, AIS affects over 3 million individuals, with 300,000 new cases annually. AIS impacts physical and psychological well‐being, necessitating tailored treatment plans based on growth risk factors. This study evaluates the consistency of ultrasound and X‐ray assessments of the Risser sign in AIS patients and explores correlations between iliac crest distance and pelvic rotation degree.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled 80 patients diagnosed with AIS from June to September 2023 at Changzhou Sports Hospital. Eligible participants were aged 10-18 with a Cobb angle >10°. Ultrasonographic examinations were conducted by 3 experienced physicians using the VINNO V10 portable ultrasound system. The primary outcome was the Risser stage determined by X‐ray and ultrasound, with secondary outcomes including thoracic and thoracic‐lumbar segment rotation angles. Statistical analyses included kappa statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple regression.

Results

Among the 77 valid cases, 154 iliac wings were evaluated, with a high concordance rate of 77% between ultrasound and X‐ray assessments. kappa values for left and right iliac crests were 0.723 and 0.808, respectively. Grouping Risser grades (0-1, 2-3, and 4-5) into 3 categories yielded kappa values of 0.93, 0.96, and 0.93, indicating high consistency. Significant correlations were found between iliac crest distances and rotation angles (left iliac crest distance and left thoracic rotation angle, r = 0.56, P < .001; right iliac crest distance and right thoracic‐lumbar rotation angle, r = 0.69, P < .001; right iliac crest distance and right thoracic rotation angle, r = 0.39, P < .01).

Conclusions

Ultrasound is a reliable, radiation‐free alternative to X‐ray for assessing the Risser sign in AIS patients. Despite observed inconsistencies in intermediate Risser grades, ultrasound's ability to reduce radiation exposure and provide consistent results makes it a valuable tool in clinical practice. Further research is needed to optimize ultrasound techniques and explore its potential for early detection and intervention in scoliosis management.

• Book : 44(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.147-155
• Keyword :

Abstract

This research examines the appearance of a two‐dimensional steady flow movement of a viscous, incompressible fluid undergoing chemical reactions along an infinitely long vertical porous plate. The flow is influenced by a transverse magnetic field, with the plate experiencing a uniform suction velocity. The research novelty lies in inspecting the impacts of ohmic dissipation and diffusion‐thermo effects while maintaining constant heat and mass flux and considering heat and mass transfer in the presence of thermal radiation. Using perturbation techniques, the foremost calculations are solved, and the results are presented both graphically and in tables. The analysis shows that higher values of the diffusion‐thermo parameter upsurge fluid velocity and temperature, whereas the presence of the transverse magnetic field decreases fluid velocity and temperature.

• Book : 54(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.883-903
• Keyword :

Abstract

Background

Pan‐immune inflammation value (PIV) is a newly defined biomarker that includes whole cellular components that are indicators of systemic inflammation in complete blood count (CBC), easily accessible and has the potential to reflect both the body's immune response and systemic inflammation status. This study evaluated the pretreatment PIV for its prognostic impact on overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with Lutetium‐177 (¹⁷⁷Lu)‐PSMA‐617.

Methods

The PIV was based on the earliest CBC obtained within 1 month before treatment initiation. Patients were categorized into low and high PIV groups based on the median pretreatment PIV, and the relationship between OS and PIV groups was assessed by multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 43 patients with mCRPC treated with (¹⁷⁷Lu)‐PSMA‐617 were included. The median OS was longer in the low PIV group (15.1 months [95% confidence interval [CI] 10.6-19.5]) than in the high PIV group (4.2 months [95% CI 1.7-6.6]) (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, high PIV (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.3, 95% CI 1.194-15.93, p = 0.026) and high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (HR: 7.05, 95% CI 1.48-33.46, p = 0.014) were associated with shorter OS.

Conclusion

This study showed that pretreatment PIV might be a prognostic factor in patients with mCRPC treated with (¹⁷⁷Lu)‐PSMA‐617.

• Book : 85(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.90-96
• Keyword :

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is complicated by silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs), for which anemia is an important risk factor. Despite normal oxygen delivery (OD), cerebral vascular reserve (CVR), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) are diminished in SCD, possibly causing the formation of SCIs. Voxelotor inhibits polymerization by increasing the hemoglobin oxygen binding, ameliorating hemolytic anemia. Furthermore, anemia is related to cardiac complications. Our aims were to assess the effect of voxelotor on markers of cerebral perfusion, cerebral oxygen metabolism, and markers of cardiac stress in SCD patients. Cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism were measured with MRI before and after 3 months of voxelotor treatment (1500 mg/day) in 18 adults with SCD (HbSS/HbSβ⁰‐thalassemia). Hemoglobin levels significantly increased (p = .001) and markers of hemolysis decreased (p < .05). OD increased from 6.5 (IQR, 6.0-7.1) mL O2/100 g/min to 8.1 (IQR, 7.2-8.7) mL O2/100 g/min (p = .001). CBF and CVR did not change. CMRO2 decreased from 2.0 (IQR, 1.9-2.1) mL O2/100 g/min to 1.9 (IQR, 1.6-2.1) mL O2/100 g/min (p = .03). N‐terminal pro‐B type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels decreased (p = .048) and maximum tricuspid regurgitation flow velocity (TRVmax) normalized in all but one patient with increased TRVmax. Voxelotor treatment in patients with severe SCD did not decrease CBF despite increased Hb levels. Cerebral oxygen metabolism slightly decreased, despite raised OD, most likely due to drug‐induced increase in oxygen binding. Nonetheless, voxelotor improved clinically validated markers of cardiac stress.

• Book : 100(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.78-84
• Keyword :

Abstract

Background

Polyamines play important roles in cell growth and proliferation. Polyamine metabolism genes are dysregulated in various tumors. Some polyamine metabolism genes are regulated by transcription factors. However, the transcription factors that regulate polyamine metabolism genes have not been completely identified. Additionally, whether any of the transcriptional regulations depend on tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment has not been investigated.

Methods

We used bulk RNA‐seq data to identify dysregulated polyamine metabolism genes and their transcription factors across breast cancer subtypes. Genes highly correlated with polyamine changes were obtained, and their subtype‐specific expressions were checked in tumor microenvironment cells using single‐cell RNA (scRNA)‐seq data. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was used to explore their molecular functions and biological processes, and survival analysis was used to examine the impact of these genes on therapeutic outcome.

Results

We first analyzed the dysregulation of polyamine synthesis, catabolism, and transport in four breast cancer subtypes. Genes such as AGMAT and CAV1 were dysregulated across all subtypes, while APRT, SAT1, and other genes were dysregulated in the more lethal subtypes. Among the dysregulated genes of polyamine metabolism, we focused on three genes (SRM, APRT, and SAT1) and identified their transcription factors (SPI1 and IRF1 correspond to SAT1, and IRF3 corresponds to SRM and APRT). With scRNA‐seq data, we verified that these three transcription factors also regulated these three polyamine metabolism genes in the tumor microenvironment. Both bulk RNA‐seq and scRNA‐seq data indicated that these genes were specifically upregulated in high‐risk breast cancer subtypes, such as the basal‐like type. High expression of these genes corresponded to worse outcomes in the basal‐like subtype under chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Conclusion

Our work identified three subtype‐specific transcription factors that regulate three polyamine metabolism genes in high‐risk breast cancer subtypes and the tumor microenvironment. Our results deepen the understanding of the role of polyamine metabolism in breast cancer and may help the clinical therapy of advanced breast cancer subtypes.

• Book : 4(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.e138
• Keyword :

This case series examines seven patients diagnosed with cricoid chondronecrosis after intubation in the setting of COVID‐19 and presents a novel “cricoid chondronecrosis computed tomography (CT) grading rubric” to standardize reporting of radiological findings. Application of this radiological grading rubric can improve communication among clinicians and radiologists and aid in prognosis determination of patients with cricoid chondronecrosis. Laryngoscope, 135:251-256, 2025

• Book : 135(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.251-256
• Keyword :

• Book : 210()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.110831
• Keyword :

• Book : 210()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.110874
• Keyword :