In order to improve the selectivity and stability of melamine–formaldehyde (MF) aerogel, it was composited with TiO
2
aerogel. A TiO
2
-MF hybrid aerogel was in situ prepared on the surface of carbon ...fibers for in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The extraction performance of TiO
2
-MF aerogel was regulated by changing the ratio of TiO
2
sol and MF sol during the material preparation. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC–DAD), the extraction tube filled by TiO
2
-MF aerogel-coated carbon fibers was evaluated with several types of environmental pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), estrogens, and ultraviolet filters. Because of favourable extraction performance of PAHs they were selected as model analytes, and some important influence factors were optimized for satisfactory sensitivity. The detection limits were in the range 0.05–0.10 μg L
−1
, owing to high enrichment factors (653–1007). The online in-tube SPME-HPLC–DAD method was verified for the determination of trace PAHs in environmental water samples, and acceptable recovery (70–118%) was achieved. The analytical methods also displayed some advantages in comparison with other reports. Moreover, the extraction tube exhibited satisfactory chemical stability.
Graphical abstract
Significant efforts have been invested to restore mangrove forests worldwide through reforestation and afforestation. However, blue carbon benefit has not been compared between these two ...silvicultural pathways at the global scale. Here, we integrated results from direct field measurements of over 370 restoration sites around the world to show that mangrove reforestation (reestablishing mangroves where they previously colonized) had a greater carbon storage potential per hectare than afforestation (establishing mangroves where not previously mangrove). Greater carbon accumulation was mainly attributed to favorable intertidal positioning, higher nitrogen availability, and lower salinity at most reforestation sites. Reforestation of all physically feasible areas in the deforested mangrove regions of the world could promote the uptake of 671.5-688.8 Tg CO
-eq globally over a 40-year period, 60% more than afforesting the same global area on tidal flats (more marginal sites). Along with avoiding conflicts of habitat conversion, mangrove reforestation should be given priority when designing nature-based solutions for mitigating global climate change.
Background Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive disease associated with lipid metabolic disorders. Because of its clinical diversity and rarity, the diagnosis is often ...unclear. However, there is still a lack of reports on bibliometric analysis of CTX. The aim of this study was to assess the progress and research developments of CTX over the past three decades, identify emerging trends, and establish novel directions for future research. Methods The eligible literature were screened from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The annual publication, countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords and references were visually analyzed by Microsoft Excel 2019, CiteSpace 6.2.R4, VOSviewer 1.6.18 and online bibliometrics website ( https://bibliometric.com/ ). Results A total of 561 publications from WoSCC were included in this study. The United States is the country with the largest number of publications, and Karolinska Institutet is the institution with the largest number of publications. Björkhem I. ranks as the most published and cited author in the last three decades. Journal of Lipid Research is the most widely published and cited journal. The strongest burst of keywords is “diagnosis.” Conclusion Unraveling the pathogenesis of CTX and improving its diagnosis and treatment continue to be critical challenges that require urgent attention. Future research endeavors will be centered on enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of early diagnosis and intervention.
Ikaros encodes a transcription factor that functions as a tumor suppressor in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The mechanisms through which Ikaros regulates gene expression and cellular ...proliferation in T-ALL are unknown. Re-introduction of Ikaros into Ikaros-null T-ALL cells resulted in cessation of cellular proliferation and induction of T-cell differentiation. We performed dynamic, global, epigenomic, and gene expression analyses to determine the mechanisms of Ikaros tumor suppressor activity. Our results identified novel Ikaros functions in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression: Ikaros directly regulates de novo formation and depletion of enhancers, de novo formation of active enhancers and activation of poised enhancers; Ikaros directly induces the formation of super-enhancers; and Ikaros demonstrates pioneering activity by directly regulating chromatin accessibility. Dynamic analyses demonstrate the long-lasting effects of Ikaros DNA binding on enhancer activation, de novo formation of enhancers and super-enhancers, and chromatin accessibility. Our results establish that Ikaros' tumor suppressor function occurs via global regulation of the enhancer and super-enhancer landscape and through pioneering activity. Expression analysis identified a large number of novel signaling pathways that are directly regulated by Ikaros and Ikaros-induced enhancers, and that are responsible for the cessation of proliferation and induction of T-cell differentiation in T-ALL cells.
Neuromodulation serves as a cornerstone for brain sciences and clinical applications. Recent reports suggest that mid-infrared stimulation (MIRS) causes non-thermal modulation of brain functions. ...Current understanding of its mechanism hampers the routine application of MIRS. Here, we examine how MIRS influences the sensorimotor transformation in awaking-behaving pigeons, from neuronal signals to behavior. We applied MIRS and electrical stimulation (ES) to the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (nLM), an essential retinorecipient structure in the pretectum, and examined their influences on the optokinetic nystagmus, a visually guided eye movement. We found MIRS altered eye movements by modulating a specific gain depending on the strength of visual inputs, in a manner different than the effect of ES. Simultaneous extracellular recordings and stimulation showed that MIRS could either excite and inhibit the neuronal activity in the same pretectal neuron depending on its ongoing sensory responsiveness levels in awake-behaving animals. Computational simulations suggest that MIRS modulates the resonance of a carbonyl group of the potassium channel, critical to the action potential generation, altering neuronal responses to sensory inputs and as a consequence, guiding behavior. Our findings suggest that MIRS could be a promising approach toward modulating neuronal functions for brain research and treating neurological diseases.
Habitats with different features such as soil depth and soil/rock conditions can provide favorable environments for species with different requirements, while anthropogenic disturbances normally ...exert additional effects on species composition. However, specific studies have rarely been conducted in the degraded karst regions of Southwest China despite the high heterogeneity of karst habitats and past human disturbances. In this study, woody species richness and composition on rocky outcrops on a typical karst hillslope were investigated and compared with those of nearby matrices on shallow and rocky soil. Our results showed that matrix vegetation was more diverse in genera and species than vegetation on rocky outcrops. This might relate to the contrasting substrate features and different disturbance histories of these two habitats. Unlike the significant effect of slope on species richness of the matrix vegetation, rocky outcrops exhibited no significant differences between upper and lower slope positions, largely because their microhabitats were similar in different slope positions. Although the study area has been reforested naturally for about 30 years, woody species of the matrix vegetation were still dominated by pioneer shrub species. Rocky outcrops were dominated by late-successional tree species, which was primarily related to their isolated features and resistance to certain disturbances. Most of these late-successional species were not habitat endemics, indicating the possibility for their encroachment into surrounding the matrix. From this aspect, further studies will be necessary to identify and address the limiting factors for the encroachment of these late-successional species into the surrounding environment.
Casein kinase II (CK2) is a pro-oncogenic protein, which is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in cancer. Recent studies have revealed an important role for CK2 in tumorigenesis. High levels ...of CK2 are noted in many malignancies including leukemia. Use of CK2 inhibitors in various malignancies including breast, prostate, and lung cancer are being tested. Although many CK2 inhibitors exist, only a few have emerged as selective inhibitors that are potent and effective. CX-4945 is a selective, orallybioavailable small molecule inhibitor, which has shown encouraging results in pre-clinical models of leukemia.
In this review we will elaborate on the structure and physiological function of the CK2 protein as well as its role in cancer. We will review, in depth, the role of CK2 in leukemia and its mechanisms of tumorigenesis via phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor protein Ikaros. We will discuss both the importance of Ikaros in leukemia suppression and the restoration of Ikaros' tumor suppressor function after CK2 inhibition by CX-4945 (a CK2-specific inhibitor).
CK2 is an oncogene that is overexpressed in hematological malignancies. In high risk Pre-B ALL, CK2 phosphorylates Ikaros tumor suppressor and promotes leukemogenesis. Inhibition of CK2 using CX4945 restores Ikaros function and leads to anti leukemic effects in vitro and in pre-clinical leukemia models.
CK2 is an attractive target in treatment of various cancers. Currently only a few specific CK2 inhibitors are available. Preclinical studies using CK2 inhibitor, CX4945 in high risk pediatric leukemias have shown promising results and warrants further testing in other types of leukemia.
Prain 1894 (
) is a rare herb within the family Papaveraceae of which unique and gorgeous purple flowers are blooming in the flowering phase. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) ...genome of
, which was mainly distributed on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of
was 153,073 bp in size and was characterized by a typical quadripartite structure consisting of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,562 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 178,33 bp and two identical inverted repeats (IR) regions of 25,839 bp. The genome contained 133 genes, including 88 protein-encoding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum-likelihood (ML) method showed that
was closely related to
and
within the genus
.
Background The development of new treatment strategies to improve peripheral nerve repair after injury, especially those that accelerate axonal nerve regeneration, is very important. The aim of this ...study is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes (EXOs) participate in peripheral nerve regeneration and whether the regenerative effect of EXOs is correlated with dose. Method BMSCs were transfected with or without an siRNA targeting Ago2 (SiAgo2). EXOs extracted from the BMSCs were administered to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro. After 48 h of culture, the neurite length was measured. Moreover, EXOs at four different doses were injected into the gastrocnemius muscles of rats with sciatic nerve crush injury. The sciatic nerve functional index (SFI) and latency of thermal pain (LTP) of the hind leg sciatic nerve were measured before the operation and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the operation. Then, the number and diameter of the regenerated fibers in the injured distal sciatic nerve were quantified. Seven genes associated with nerve regeneration were investigated by qRT-PCR in DRG neurons extracted from rats 7 days after the sciatic nerve crush. Results We showed that after 48 h of culture, the mean number of neurites and the length of cultured DRG neurons in the SiAgo2-BMSC-EXO and SiAgo2-BMSC groups were smaller than that in the untreated and siRNA control groups. The average number and diameter of regenerated axons, LTP, and SFI in the group with 0.9 x 10.sup.10 particles/ml EXOs were better than those in other groups, while the group that received a minimum EXO dose (0.4 x 10.sup.10 particles/ml) was not significantly different from the PBS group. The expression of PMP22, VEGFA, NGFr, and S100b in DRGs from the EXO-treated group was significantly higher than that in the PBS control group. No significant difference was observed in the expression of HGF and Akt1 among the groups. Conclusions These results showed that BMSC-derived EXOs can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves and that the mechanism may involve miRNA-mediated regulation of regeneration-related genes, such as VEGFA. Finally, a dose-effect relationship between EXO treatment and nerve regeneration was shown. Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells, Exosome, Neurons, Regeneration
For tree species adapted to shallow soil environments, rooting strategies that efficiently explore rock fractures are important because soil water depletion occurs frequently. However, two questions: ...(a) to what extent shallow soil-adapted species rely on exploring rock fractures and (b) what outcomes result from drought stress, have rarely been tested. Therefore, based on the expectation that early development of roots into deep soil layers is at the cost of aboveground growth, seedlings of three tree species (
, and
) with distinct aboveground growth rates were selected from a typical shallow soil region. In a greenhouse experiment that mimics the basic features of shallow soil environments, 1-year-old seedlings were transplanted into simulated microcosms of shallow soil overlaying fractured bedrock. Root biomass allocation and leaf physiological activities, as well as leaf δ
C values were investigated and compared for two treatments: regular irrigation and repeated cycles of drought stress. Our results show that the three species differed in their rooting strategies in the context of encountering rock fractures, however, these strategies were not closely related to the aboveground growth rate. For the slowest-growing seedling,
, percentages of root mass in the fractures, as well as in the soil layer between soil and bedrock increased significantly under both treatments, indicating a specialized rooting strategy that facilitated the exploration of rock fractures. Early investment in deep root growth was likely critical to the establishment of this drought-vulnerable species. For the intermediate-growing,
, percentages of root mass in the bedrock and interface soil layers were relatively low and exhibited no obvious change under either treatment. This limited need to explore rock fractures was compensated by a conservative water use strategy. For the fast-growing,
, percentages of root mass in the bedrock and interface layers increased simultaneously under drought conditions, but not under irrigated conditions. This drought-induced rooting plasticity was associated with drought avoidance by this species. Although, root development might have been affected by the simulated microcosm, contrasting results among the three species indicated that efficient use of rock fractures is not a necessary or specialized strategy of shallow-soil adapted species. The establishment and persistence of these species relied on the mutual complementation between their species-specific rooting strategies and drought adaptations.
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