Chinese mahogany (Toona sinensis) is a woody plant that is widely cultivated in China and Malaysia. Toona sinensis is important economically, including as a nutritious food source, as material for ...traditional Chinese medicine and as a high‐quality hardwood. However, the absence of a reference genome has hindered in‐depth molecular and evolutionary studies of this plant. In this study, we report a high‐quality T. sinensis genome assembly, with scaffolds anchored to 28 chromosomes and a total assembled length of 596 Mb (contig N50 = 1.5 Mb and scaffold N50 = 21.5 Mb). A total of 34,345 genes were predicted in the genome after homology‐based and de novo annotation analyses. Evolutionary analysis showed that the genomes of T. sinensis and Populus trichocarpa diverged ~99.1–103.1 million years ago, and the T. sinensis genome underwent a recent genome‐wide duplication event at ~7.8 million years and one more ancient whole genome duplication event at ~71.5 million years. These results provide a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome for T. sinensis and confirm its evolutionary position at the genomic level. Such information will offer genomic resources to study the molecular mechanism of terpenoid biosynthesis and the formation of flavour compounds, which will further facilitate its molecular breeding. As the first chromosome‐level genome assembled in the family Meliaceae, it will provide unique insights into the evolution of members of the Meliaceae.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Non‐linear optical chalcogenides with a wide band gap (Eg) and excellent NLO properties are key materials for highly desirable multiwaveband tunable optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). We exploit ...the “electronic structure engineer bucket effect” to develop a novel dual‐waveband SrZnGeS4 with an ultrawide transparency window. It exhibits an asymmetric Fdd2 structure that consists of layers formed by corner‐sharing ZnGeS6 dimers. SrZnGeS4 is transparent from 0.30 to 23.6 μm, spanning the UV‐, vis‐, mid‐ and far‐IR spectral regions and has the widest Eg (3.63 eV) in the AeMIIMIVQ4 family to date. It exhibits phase matching, high SHG intensities (e.g., 11.0×KDP and 17.5×AGS under λinc=1450 and 950 nm, respectively), and a very high laser‐induced damage threshold (35×AGS). These results not only suggest bright prospects for high‐power laser applications but may also enable applications of the multiwaveband OPO system from the UV‐visible to far‐IR regions.
An electronic structure‐engineering “bucket effect” strategy produces a novel non‐linear optical compound SrZnGeS4 with unique dual‐waveband NLO properties, including a second harmonic generation of 0.9–17.5×AgGaS2 under 850–2100 nm incident laser wavelengths and a laser‐induced damage threshold of 35×AgGaS2.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Neurotrophic factors, particularly nerve growth factor, enhance neuronal regeneration. However, the in vivo applications of nerve growth factor are largely limited by its intrinsic disadvantages, ...such as its short biological half-life, its contribution to pain response, and its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Considering that let-7 (human miRNA) targets and regulates nerve growth factor, and that let-7 is a core regulator in peripheral nerve regeneration, we evaluated the possibilities of let-7 application in nerve repair. In this study, anti-let-7a was identified as the most suitable let-7 family molecule by analyses of endogenous expression and regulatory relationship, and functional screening. Let-7a antagomir demonstrated biosafety based on the results of in vivo safety assessments and it entered into the main cell types of the sciatic nerve, including Schwann cells, fibroblasts and macrophages. Use of hydrogel effectively achieved controlled, localized, and sustained delivery of let-7a antagomir. Finally, let-7a antagomir was integrated into chitosan conduit to construct a chitosan-hydrogel scaffold tissue-engineered nerve graft, which promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery in a rat model of sciatic nerve transection. Our study provides an experimental basis for potential in vivo application of let-7a.
The exact roles of activated microglia and fractalkine (CX3CL1)/fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) signaling are not fully understood in brain ischemic injury and the findings reported are controversial. ...Here, we investigated the effects of CX3CR1 siRNA on the expression of CX3CR1, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), Protein Kinase C (PKC) and inflammatory cytokines, microglia activation, white matter lesions, and cognitive function in mice treated with bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) in vivo as well as effects of exogenous CX3CL1, CX3CR1 siRNA, and SB2035080 on expression of inflammatory cytokines in BV2 microglia treated with oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro. We showed that CX3CR1 siRNA significantly inhibited the increased expression of CX3CR1, p38MAPK, PKC as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, and also attenuated microglia activation, white matter lesions, and cognitive deficits induced by BCAS in mice brain. We also showed that exogenous CX3CL1 could induce a further enhancement in TNF-α and IL-1β expression, which could be suppressed by CX3CR1 siRNA or by the p38MAPK inhibitor in OGD-treated BV2 microglial cells in vitro. Our findings indicated that CX3CL1/CX3CR1-mediated microglial activation plays a detrimental role in ischemic brain via p38MAPK/PKC signaling and also suggested that CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis might be a putative therapeutic target to disrupt the cascade of deleterious events that lead to brain ischemic injury.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Under topological guidance, the self‐assembly process based on a tetratopic porphyrin synthon results in a hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) with the predicted square layers topology (sql) but ...unsatisfied stability. Strikingly, simply introducing a transition metal in the porphyrin center does not change the network topology but drastically causes noticeable change on noncovalent interaction, orbital overlap, and molecular geometry, therefore ultimately giving rise to a series of metalloporphyrinic HOFs with high surface area, and excellent stability (intact after being soaked in boiling water, concentrated HCl, and heated to 270 °C). On integrating both photosensitizers and catalytic sites into robust backbones, this series of HOFs can effectively catalyze the photoreduction of CO2 to CO, and their catalytic performances greatly depend on the chelated metal species in the porphyrin centers. This work enriches the library of stable functional HOFs and expands their applications in photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Crystallographic and computational studies on a series of porphyrinic hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) reveal that metallization of porphyrin centers greatly alters the orbital overlap of the adjacent porphyrin, the geometry of the molecule/layer, and the strength of noncovalent interactions. Therefore, metalloporphyrin HOFs exhibit much higher stability, surface area, and catalytic activity than metal‐free porphyrinic HOFs.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Unprecedented measures have been adopted to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in China. People's adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and ...practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. In this study, we investigated Chinese residents' KAP towards COVID-19 during the rapid rise period of the outbreak. An online sample of Chinese residents was successfully recruited via the authors' networks with residents and popular media in Hubei, China. A self-developed online KAP questionnaire was completed by the participants. The knowledge questionnaire consisted of 12 questions regarding the clinical characteristics and prevention of COVID-19. Assessments on residents' attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 included questions on confidence in winning the battle against COVID-19 and wearing masks when going out in recent days. Among the survey completers (n=6910), 65.7% were women, 63.5% held a bachelor degree or above, and 56.2% engaged in mental labor. The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 90%. The majority of the respondents (97.1%) had confidence that China can win the battle against COVID-19. Nearly all of the participants (98.0%) wore masks when going out in recent days. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.75-0.90, P<0.001) was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-2019. Most Chinese residents of a relatively high socioeconomic status, in particular women, are knowledgeable about COVID-19, hold optimistic attitudes, and have appropriate practices towards COVID-19. Health education programs aimed at improving COVID-19 knowledge are helpful for Chinese residents to hold optimistic attitudes and maintain appropriate practices. Due to the limited sample representativeness, we must be cautious when generalizing these findings to populations of a low socioeconomic status.
The strong mutual coupling of and even the opposite change in the key parameters, such as the band gap (Eg) and second‐order harmonic generation (SHG), leads to the extreme scarcity in ...high‐performance IR nonlinear optical (NLO) chalcogenides. Herein, we report 8 new sulfides, Na2Ba(AgxNa1−x)2Sn2S7 (1, x=0; 1 series, x=0.1–0.6; Na2Ba(Li0.58Na0.42)2Sn2S7, 1‐0.6Li); Na2SrCu2Sn2S7 (2); and Na2BaCu2Sn2S7 (3). We use the structural tolerance factor (
tIexp
${{t}_{I}^{exp}}$
) to connect the chemical composition, crystal structure, and NLO properties. Guided by these correlations, a better balance between Eg and SHG is realized in 1, which exhibits a large Eg of 3.42 eV and excellent NLO properties (SHG: 1.5×AGS; laser‐induced damage threshold: 12×AGS), representing the best performance among the known Hg‐ or As‐free sulfides to date.
Guided by the relationships between the structural tolerance factor and the dopant concentration and second‐order susceptibility, a better balance between Eg and SHG is realized in Na2Ba Na2Sn2S7 1, which exhibits a large Eg of 3.42 eV and excellent NLO properties (SHG: 1.5×AGS; laser‐induced damage threshold: 12×AGS), representing the best performance among the known Hg‐ or As‐free sulfides to date.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Antibiotics are widely used in humans and animals, but there is a big concern about their negative impacts on ecosystem and human health after use. So far there is a lack of information on emission ...inventory and environmental fate of antibiotics in China. We studied national consumption, emissions, and multimedia fate of 36 frequently detected antibiotics in China by market survey, data analysis, and level III fugacity modeling tools. Based on our survey, the total usage for the 36 chemicals was 92700 tons in 2013, an estimated 54000 tons of the antibiotics was excreted by human and animals, and eventually 53800 tons of them entered into the receiving environment following various wastewater treatments. The fugacity model successfully predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) in all 58 river basins of China, which are comparable to the reported measured environmental concentrations (MECs) available in some basins. The bacterial resistance rates in the hospitals and aquatic environments were found to be related to the PECs and antibiotic usages, especially for those antibiotics used in the most recent period. This is the first comprehensive study which demonstrates an alarming usage and emission of various antibiotics in China.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Currently, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are recognized as a novel and potential type of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which participate in various cellular processes and play an essential role in ...cancer progression. However, tsRNAs involvement in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression remains unclear.
Sequencing analyses were performed to explore the tsRNAs with differential expression in CRC. Gain- and loss-of functions of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG were performed in CRC cells and xenograft tumor to discover its role in the progression of CRC. Hypoxia culture and hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1α) inhibitors were performed to uncover the biogenesis of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG. The regulation of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG for large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) were identified by luciferase reporter assay, western blot, and rescue experiments.
Here, our study uncovered the profile of tsRNAs in human CRC tissues and confirmed a specific tRNA half, 5'tiRNA-His-GTG, is upregulated in CRC tissues. Then, in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed the oncogenic role of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG in CRC and found that targeting 5'tiRNA-His-GTG can induce cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, the generation of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG seems to be a responsive process of tumor hypoxic microenvironment, and it is regulated via the HIF1α/angiogenin (ANG) axis. Remarkably, LATS2 was found to be an important and major target of 5'tiRNA-His-GTG, which renders 5'tiRNA-His-GTG to "turn off" hippo signaling pathway and finally promotes the expression of pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis related genes.
In summary, the findings revealed a specific 5'tiRNA-His-GTG-engaged pathway in CRC progression and provided clues to design a novel therapeutic target in CRC.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Oxygen‐redox of layer‐structured metal‐oxide cathodes has drawn great attention as an effective approach to break through the bottleneck of their capacity limit. However, reversible oxygen‐redox can ...only be obtained in the high‐voltage region (usually over 3.5 V) in current metal‐oxide cathodes. Here, we realize reversible oxygen‐redox in a wide voltage range of 1.5–4.5 V in a P2‐layered Na0.7Mg0.2Fe0.2Mn0.6□0.2O2 cathode material, where intrinsic vacancies are located in transition‐metal (TM) sites and Mg‐ions are located in Na sites. Mg‐ions in the Na layer serve as “pillars” to stabilize the layered structure during electrochemical cycling, especially in the high‐voltage region. Intrinsic vacancies in the TM layer create the local configurations of “□–O–□”, “Na–O–□” and “Mg–O–□” to trigger oxygen‐redox in the whole voltage range of charge–discharge. Time‐resolved techniques demonstrate that the P2 phase is well maintained in a wide potential window range of 1.5–4.5 V even at 10 C. It is revealed that charge compensation from Mn‐ and O‐ions contributes to the whole voltage range of 1.5–4.5 V, while the redox of Fe‐ions only contributes to the high‐voltage region of 3.0–4.5 V. The orphaned electrons in the nonbonding 2p orbitals of O that point toward TM‐vacancy sites are responsible for reversible oxygen‐redox, and Mg‐ions in Na sites suppress oxygen release effectively.
Na0.7Mg0.2Fe0.2Mn0.6□0.2O2 with native transitional metal (TM) vacancies is designed as a novel cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries. The TM vacancies lead to nonbonding O 2p orbitals in this material, pointing toward these vacancies triggering reversible whole‐voltage‐range oxygen redox during charge and discharge processes. This work provides new ideals for design of cathode materials in anionic redox chemistry.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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