JiShou University

Paw edema is a classic acute inflammation model, which is often used in clinical screening and evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of drugs. As an endogenous gas signaling molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is closely related to the progression of paw edema inflammation. However, no fluorescent probes have been reported to visualize H₂S levels in paw edema mice. Herein, a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe (BAX-N) is developed to detect H₂S. The NIR dye formed by the conjugation of benzothiazole-2-acetonitrile with xanthene serves as the fluorophore (BAX-OH), and nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) serves as the H₂S-responsive group. The fluorescence of BAX-N is quenched due to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) effect. After the reaction of BAX-N with H₂S, the PET effect is blocked and obvious fluorescence appears at 722 nm, while exhibiting large Stokes shift, fast response time, high sensitivity and selectivity. Meanwhile, the possible reaction mechanism of BAX-N toward H₂S was proposed and proved by mass spectra (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Furthermore, based on the high biosafety of BAX-N, it has been used to monitor fluctuation in H₂S levels in cells during inflammatory events. More importantly, BAX-N has been first used for specifically image H₂S in paw edema mice and its treatment due to its NIR properties, which will provide a reliable platform for the monitoring of inflammatory conditions and the evaluation of anti-inflammatory drug efficacy.

Many miRNAs can post-transcriptionally regulate expression levels of a type of resistant (R) genes encoding NBS-LRR proteins. However, the underlying resistant mechanisms of various miRNAs-targeted R gene pairs remain explored. Here, we addressed a novel ghr-miR7814 targeting GhCNL2 function in plant resistance against Verticillium dahliae infection. Based on GUS reporter and 5'-RLM RACE analyses, ghr-miR7814 was revealed to directedly target GhCNL2 mRNA for cleavage through post-transcriptional process. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) or overexpressing assays, we found that ghr-miR7814 knockdown significantly increased plant resistance to pathogen infection, whereas ghr-miR7814 overexpression and GhCNL2 knockdown significantly reduced plant resistance, which was accompanied by expression changes of defense-related genes including GhPR1, GhPR3, GhPR5 and GhPDF1.2. Results of DAB staining revealed that H₂O₂ contents in GhCNL2 knockdown plants were significantly higher than those in the control. The expression levels of SA biosynthesis-related genes including GhICS1, GhEDS1 and GhPAD4 showed significant differences between GhCNL2 knockdown and the control plants under V. dahliae infection as well as SA accumulation. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the novel ghr-miR7814 targeting GhCNL2 is able to regulate plant resistance to V. dahliae infection possibly via induction of ROS and SA biosynthesis.

Photocatalytic water splitting, an ideal hydrogen production method, offers significant advantages in terms of cleanliness, efficiency, and sustainability. However, single semiconductor catalysts suffer from slow charge transfer and high electron recombination rates. Constructing heterojunctions via surface-loaded catalysts represents a promising strategy to enhance photocatalytic performance. In this study, a simple electrostatic self-assembly approach was employed to fabricate NiCo₂O₄ and NiMoO₄. For the first time, a type I NiCo₂O₄/NiMoO₄ heterojunction was successfully constructed. This heterojunction minimizes the electron transfer distance between the two catalysts, enhancing electron transfer efficiency while maintaining low electron-hole recombination. Consequently, the catalytic reaction proceeds efficiently, with the redox capacity of both catalysts preserved and their activity further improved through this hydrogen production method.