Grain size is an important component trait of grain yield, which is frequently threatened by abiotic stress. However, little is known about how grain yield and abiotic stress tolerance are regulated. ...Here, we characterize GSA1, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) regulating grain size and abiotic stress tolerance associated with metabolic flux redirection. GSA1 encodes a UDP-glucosyltransferase, which exhibits glucosyltransferase activity toward flavonoids and monolignols. GSA1 regulates grain size by modulating cell proliferation and expansion, which are regulated by flavonoid-mediated auxin levels and related gene expression. GSA1 is required for the redirection of metabolic flux from lignin biosynthesis to flavonoid biosynthesis under abiotic stress and the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides, which protect rice against abiotic stress. GSA1 overexpression results in larger grains and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Our findings provide insights into the regulation of grain size and abiotic stress tolerance associated with metabolic flux redirection and a potential means to improve crops.
Abstract
A panchromatic investigation of morphology for the early-type spiral galaxy M81 is presented in this paper. We perform bulge–disk decomposition in M81 images at a total of 20 wave bands from ...far-UV to near-IR (NIR) obtained with GALEX, Swift, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, WIYN, Two Micron All Sky Survey, Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and Spitzer. Morphological parameters such as Sérsic index, effective radius, position angle, and axis ratio for the bulge and the disk are thus derived at all of the wave bands, which enables quantifying the morphological
K
-correction for M81 and makes it possible to reproduce images for the bulge and the disk in the galaxy at any wave band. The morphology as a function of wavelength appears as a variable-slope trend of the Sérsic index and the effective radius, in which the variations are steep at UV–optical and shallow at optical–NIR bands; the position angle and the axis ratio keep invariable at least at optical–NIR bands. It is worth noting that the Sérsic index for the bulge reaches ∼4–5 at optical and NIR bands, but drops to ∼1 at UV bands. This difference brings forward a caveat that a classical bulge is likely misidentified for a pseudobulge or no bulge at high redshifts where galaxies are observed through rest-frame UV channels with optical telescopes. The next work of this series is planned to study spatially resolved spectral energy distributions for the bulge and the disk, respectively, and thereby explore stellar population properties and star formation/quenching history for the galaxy composed of the subsystems.
As a new environmentally friendly separation technology, deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems are extensively applied in various fields. Herein, we review recent advances in this ...field and highlight the possible directions of future developments. This article focuses on the effects of deep eutectic solvent and inorganic salts on the phase equilibrium, the microstructure of deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems, the applications of deep eutectic solvent based aqueous two‐phase systems in separation (proteins, biopolymers, saponins, and organic acids), and removal and recovery technologies for deep eutectic solvent from aqueous two‐phase systems.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution with a suitably pre-stored leaving group in the substrate is widely used in organic synthesis. In contrast, the enantioselective ...allylic C(sp
3
)-H functionalization is more straightforward but far less explored. Here we report a catalytic protocol for the long-standing challenging enantioselective allylic C(sp
3
)-H functionalization. Through palladium hydride-catalyzed chain-walking and allylic substitution, allylic C-H functionalization of a wide range of acyclic nonconjugated dienes is achieved in high yields (up to 93% yield), high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 er), and with 100% atom efficiency. Exploring the reactivity of substrates with varying p
K
a
values uncovers a reasonable scope of nucleophiles and potential factors controlling the reaction. A set of efficient downstream transformations to enantiopure skeletons showcase the practical value of the methodology. Mechanistic experiments corroborate the PdH-catalyzed asymmetric migratory allylic substitution process.
How the plasma membrane senses external heat-stress signals to communicate with chloroplasts to orchestrate thermotolerance remains elusive. We identified a quantitative trait locus,
Thermo-tolerance ...3
(
TT3
), consisting of two genes,
TT3.1
and
TT3.2
, that interact together to enhance rice thermotolerance and reduce grain-yield losses caused by heat stress. Upon heat stress, plasma membrane–localized E3 ligase TT3.1 translocates to the endosomes, on which TT3.1 ubiquitinates chloroplast precursor protein TT3.2 for vacuolar degradation, implying that TT3.1 might serve as a potential thermosensor. Lesser accumulated, mature TT3.2 proteins in chloroplasts are essential for protecting thylakoids from heat stress. Our findings not only reveal a
TT3.1-TT3.2
genetic module at one locus that transduces heat signals from plasma membrane to chloroplasts but also provide the strategy for breeding highly thermotolerant crops.
Heat tolerance in rice
Too much heat can damage a plant’s chloroplasts, driving yield down when temperatures exceed a crop’s normal tolerance. Zhang
et al
. identified a locus with two genes that together enhance rice thermotolerance. The ubiquitin ligase activity of Thermo-tolerance 3.1 (TT3.1) drove degradation of TT3.2, a chloroplast precursor protein that can trigger chloroplast damage in the context of heat stress. Together, these protein products respond to heat and control the damage. —PJH
A tag team of protein degradation protects rice plants from excess heat.
The spillover of hydrogen species and its role in tuning the activity and selectivity in catalytic hydrogenation have been investigated in situ using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with ...10 nm spatial resolution through the precise fabrication of Au/TiO2/Pt sandwich nanostructures. In situ SERS study reveals that hydrogen species can efficiently spillover at Pt‐TiO2‐Au interfaces, and the ultimate spillover distance on TiO2 is about 50 nm. Combining kinetic isotope experiments and density functional theory calculations, it is found that the hydrogen spillover proceeds via the water‐assisted cleavage and formation of surface hydrogen–oxygen bond. More importantly, the selectivity in the hydrogenation of the nitro or isocyanide group is manipulated by controlling the hydrogen spillover. This work provides molecular insights to deepen the understanding of hydrogen activation and boosts the design of active and selective catalysts for hydrogenation.
Spillover of hydrogen species at Pt‐TiO2‐Au interfaces has been investigated in situ using SERS with nanoscale spatial resolution through the precise fabrication of Au/TiO2/Pt sandwich nanostructures. The fundamental mechanism of hydrogen spillover and its influence on selective hydrogenation are revealed.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
To assess the effects of cetuximab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CLMs).
After resection of their primary tumors, patients with KRAS wild-type ...synchronous nonresectable liver-limited metastases from colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy (FOLFIRI fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan or mFOLFOX6 modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) plus cetuximab (arm A) or chemotherapy alone (arm B). The primary end point was the rate of patients converted to resection for liver metastases. Secondary end points included tumor response and survival.
The intent-to-treat population comprised 138 patients; 70 patients were randomly assigned to arm A and 68 to arm B. After a median of 25.0 months of follow-up, the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate and median survival time (MST) for all patients were 30% and 24.4 months, respectively. The R0 resection rates for liver metastases were 25.7% (18 of 70 patients) in arm A and 7.4% (five of 68 patients) in arm B, which were significantly different (P < .01). Patients in arm A had improved objective response rates (57.1% v 29.4%; P < .01), increased 3-year OS rate (41% v 18%; P = .013) and prolonged MST (30.9 v 21.0 months; P = .013) compared with those in arm B. In addition, in arm A, patients who had resection of liver metastases had a significantly improved MST (46.4 v 25.7 months; P < .01) compared with those who did not undergo surgery.
For patients with initially unresectable KRAS wild-type CLMs, cetuximab combined with chemotherapy improved the resectability of liver metastases and improved response rates and survival compared with chemotherapy alone.
As a member of the deoxyribonuclease 1 family, DNASE1L3 plays a significant role both inside and outside the cell. However, the role of DNASE1L3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its molecular ...basis remains to be further investigated. In this study, we report that DNASE1L3 is downregulated in clinical HCC samples and evaluate the relationship between its expression and HCC clinical features. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that DNASE1L3 negatively regulates the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC cells. Mechanistic studies showed that DNASE1L3 recruits components of the cytoplasmic β‐catenin destruction complex (GSK‐3β and Axin), promotes the ubiquitination degradation of β‐catenin, and inhibits its nuclear transfer, thus, decreasing c‐Myc, P21 and P27 level. Ultimately, cell cycle and EMT signals are restrained. In general, this study provides new insight into the mechanism for HCC and suggests that DNASE1L3 can become a considerable target for HCC.
Decreased expression of DNASE1L3 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC
DNASE1L3 inhibits the proliferation and cell cycle of HCC cells in vitro and promotes the invasion and metastasis of HCC cells
DNASE1L3 inhibits the tumorigenicity and metastasis of HCC cells in vivo
DNASE1L3 interacts with β‐catenin and promotes its binding to the β‐catenin destroying complex
DNASE1L3 interacts with P21 and stabilizes P21 by mediating the deubiquitin activity
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Air pollution has become a major concern in cities worldwide. The present study explores the spatial-temporal patterns of PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5μm) and the variation in ...the attainment rate (the number of cities attaining the national PM2.5 standard each day) at different time-scales based on PM2.5 concentrations. One-year of monitoring was conducted in 338 cities at or above the prefectural level in China. Spatial hot spots of PM2.5 were analyzed using exploratory spatial data analysis. Meteorological factors affecting PM2.5 distributions were analyzed. The results indicate the following: (1) Diurnal variations of PM2.5 exhibited a W-shaped trend, with the lowest value observed in the afternoon. The peak concentrations occurred after the ends of the morning and evening rush hours. (2) Out of 338 cities, 235 exceeded the national annual PM2.5 standards (≤35μg/m3), with slightly polluted (75–115μg/m3) cities occupying the greatest proportion. (3) The attainment rate showed an inverted U-shape, while there was a U-shaped pattern observed for daily and monthly mean PM2.5. (4) The spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentrations varied greatly, PM2.5 has significant spatial autocorrelation and clustering characteristics. Hot spots for pollution were mainly concentrated in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area and neighboring regions, in part because of the large amount of smoke and dust emissions in this region. However, weather factors (temperature, humidity, and wind speed) also had an effect. In addition, southwest Xinjiang experienced heavy PM2.5 pollution that was mainly caused by the frequent occurrence of sandstorms, although no significant relationship was observed between PM2.5 and meteorological elements in this region.
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•Spatiotemporal patterns of PM2.5 in 338 Chinese cities are explored at different time-scales.•Diurnal variations of PM2.5 exhibited a W-shaped trend, while the daily PM2.5 presented a U-shape.•Only 103 cities met the national annual PM2.5 standards (≤35 μg/m3) in 2016.•PM2.5 has significant spatial autocorrelation and clustering characteristics.•Hot spot areas were found in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and southwest Xinjiang.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Interleukin-6 is an inflammatory cytokine with wide-ranging biological effects. It has been widely demonstrated that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development of pathological pain. ...Recently, various pathological pain models have shown elevated expression levels of interleukin-6 and its receptor in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Additionally, the administration of interleukin-6 could cause mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and an intrathecal injection of anti-interleukin-6 neutralizing antibody alleviated these pain-related behaviors. These studies indicated a pivotal role of interleukin-6 in pathological pain. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the roles and mechanisms of interleukin-6 in mediating pathological pain associated with bone cancer, peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, complete Freund's adjuvant injection, and carrageenan injection. Understanding and regulating interleukin-6 could be an interesting lead to novel therapeutic strategies for pathological pain.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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