Pentatricopeptide-repeat proteins (PPRs) are characterized by tandem arrays of a degenerate 35-amino-acid (PPR motifs), which can bind RNA strands and participate in post-transcription. PPR proteins ...family is one of the largest families in land plants and play important roles in organelle RNA metabolism and plant development. However, the functions of PPR genes involved in biotic and abiotic stresses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) remain largely unknown.
In the present study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of PPR genes was performed. A total of 491 PPR genes were found in the rice genome, of which 246 PPR genes belong to the P subfamily, and 245 genes belong to the PLS subfamily. Gene structure analysis showed that most PPR genes lack intron. Chromosomal location analysis indicated that PPR genes were widely distributed in all 12 rice chromosomes. Phylogenetic relationship analysis revealed the distinct difference between the P and PLS subfamilies. Many PPR proteins are predicted to target chloroplasts or mitochondria, and a PPR protein (LOC_Os10g34310) was verified to localize in mitochondria. Furthermore, three PPR genes (LOC_Os03g17634,LOC_Os07g40820,LOC_Os04g51350) were verified as corresponding miRNA targets. The expression pattern analysis showed that many PPR genes could be induced under biotic and abiotic stresses. Finally, seven PPR genes were confirmed with their expression patterns under salinity or drought stress.
We found 491 PPR genes in the rice genome, and our genes structure analysis and syntenic analysis indicated that PPR genes might be derived from amplification by retro-transposition. The expression pattern present here suggested that PPR proteins have crucial roles in response to different abiotic stresses in rice. Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the PPR gene family and will facilitate further studies on their roles in rice growth and development.
Ship collision avoidance is a complex process that is influenced by numerous factors. In this study, we propose a novel method called the Optimal Collision Avoidance Point (OCAP) for unmanned surface ...vehicles (USVs) to determine when to take appropriate actions to avoid collisions. The approach combines a model that accounts for the two degrees of freedom in USV dynamics with a velocity obstacle method for obstacle detection and avoidance. The method calculates the change in the USV's navigation state based on the critical condition of collision avoidance. First, the coordinates of the optimal collision avoidance point in the current ship encounter state are calculated based on the relative velocities and kinematic parameters of the USV and obstacles. Then, the increments of the vessel's linear velocity and heading angle that can reach the optimal collision avoidance point are set as a constraint for dynamic window sampling. Finally, the algorithm evaluates the probabilities of collision hazards for trajectories that satisfy the critical condition and uses the resulting collision avoidance probability value as a criterion for course assessment. The resulting collision avoidance algorithm is optimized for USV maneuverability and is capable of handling multiple moving obstacles in real-time. Experimental results show that the OCAP algorithm has higher and more robust path-finding efficiency than the other two algorithms when the dynamic obstacle density is higher.
The vertical detachment energy (VDE) is a vital factor for predicting the stability of anions that have important applications in the atom, molecule and cluster science. Due to the synthetic or ...characterization difficulty of anions, accurate and efficient predictions of VDE independent of laboratory data have always been an appealing task to remedy the experimental deficiencies. Unfortunately, the generally adopted CCSD(T) and electron propagator theory (EPT) methods have respectively been proven to be reliable but very cost‐expensive, and cost‐effective but sometimes problematic when Koopman's theorem is invalid. Here, we for the first time introduced and benchmarked a series of model chemistry composite methods (e. g., CBS‐QB3, G4 and W1BD) on calculating VDE for 57 molecular anions. Notably, CBS‐QB3 exceeds the accuracy of CCSD(T) while approaching the economy of EPT. Therefore, we highly recommend the composite method CBS‐QB3 to compute VDEs for molecular anions in the attractive “killing two birds with one stone” manner.
This work for the first time benchmarked the performance of the composite methods on VDEs of molecular anions in comparison with the widely applied CCSD(T) and electron propagator theory (EPT) methods.
Nanostructured polyion complexes (PICs) are appealing in biomaterials applications. Yet, conventional assembly suffers from the weakness in scale‐up and reproducibility. Only a few low‐dimensional ...PICs are available to date. Herein we report an efficient and scalable strategy to prepare libraries of low‐dimensional PICs. It involves a visible‐light‐mediated RAFT polymerization of ionic monomer in the presence of a polyion of the opposite charge at 5–50 % w/w total solids concentration in water at 25 °C, namely, polymerization‐induced electrostatic self‐assembly (PIESA). A Vesicle, multi‐compartmental vesicle, and large‐area unilamellar nanofilm can be achieved in water. A long nanowire and porous nanofilm can be prepared in methanol/water. An unusual unimolecular polyion complex (uPIC)‐sphere‐branch/network‐film transition is reported. This green chemistry offers a general platform to prepare various low‐dimensional PICs with high reproducibility on a commercially viable scale under eco‐friendly conditions.
Shape up: An efficient and scalable strategy allows the preparation of libraries of low‐dimensional polyion complexes. It proceeds via in situ polyion complexation in a visible‐light‐mediated polymerization‐induced electrostatic self‐assembly in water at 25 °C. A nanosphere, nanowire, large‐area nanofilm, porous nanofilm, vesicle, and multi‐compartmental vesicle can be prepared.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the third leading cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. In recent years, the emergency of immune checkpoint ...inhibitor (ICI) has revolutionized the management of HCC. Especially, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD1) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has been approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. Despite great breakthrough in systemic therapy, HCC continues to portend a poor prognosis owing to drug resistance and frequent recurrence. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC is a complex and structured mixture characterized by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, collectively contributing to the immunosuppressive milieu that in turn prompts HCC proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment coexists and interacts with various immune cells to maintain the development of HCC. It is widely accepted that a dysfunctional tumor-immune ecosystem can lead to the failure of immune surveillance. The immunosuppressive TME is an external cause for immune evasion in HCC consisting of 1) immunosuppressive cells; 2) co-inhibitory signals; 3) soluble cytokines and signaling cascades; 4) metabolically hostile tumor microenvironment; 5) the gut microbiota that affects the immune microenvironment. Importantly, the effectiveness of immunotherapy largely depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Also, the gut microbiota and metabolism profoundly affect the immune microenvironment. Understanding how TME affects HCC development and progression will contribute to better preventing HCC-specific immune evasion and overcoming resistance to already developed therapies. In this review, we mainly introduce immune evasion of HCC underlying the role of immune microenvironment, describe the dynamic interaction of immune microenvironment with dysfunctional metabolism and the gut microbiome, and propose therapeutic strategies to manipulate the TME in favor of more effective immunotherapy.
Li2O–MgO–TiO2 ternary system is an important microwave dielectric ceramic material with excellent properties and prospect in both scientific research and application. A phase diagram of the ...Li2O–MgO–TiO2 ternary system was established in this article, based on earlier research results and our present work. Microwave dielectric properties with compositions in different regions of the phase diagram have been analyzed. We found that the 0.33 Li2MgTi3O8–0.67 Li2TiO3 ceramics sintered at 1200°C exhibited excellent dielectric properties: Q × f value = 80 476 GHz (at 7.681 GHz), εr = 24.7, τf = +3.2 ppm/°C. We also designed two ceramic systems in the Li‐rich region of the Li2O–MgO–TiO2 ternary system, which received little attention in the past decades, because many excellent single‐phase ceramics, such as Li2MgTiO4, Li2MgTi3O8 and MgTiO3, have been found in the Ti‐rich region. The ceramic systems have low sintering temperatures but also relatively poor dielectric properties.
A dual‐site catalyst allows for a synergetic reaction in the close proximity to enhance catalysis. It is highly desirable to create dual‐site interfaces in single‐atom system to maximize the effect. ...Herein, we report a cation‐deficient electrostatic anchorage route to fabricate an atomically dispersed platinum–titania catalyst (Pt1O1/Ti1−xO2), which shows greatly enhanced hydrogen evolution activity, surpassing that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst in mass by a factor of 53.2. Operando techniques and density functional calculations reveal that Pt1O1/Ti1−xO2 experiences a Pt−O dual‐site catalytic pathway, where the inherent charge transfer within the dual sites encourages the jointly coupling protons and plays the key role during the Volmer–Tafel process. There is almost no decay in the activity of Pt1O1/Ti1−xO2 over 300 000 cycles, meaning 30 times of enhancement in stability compared to the commercial Pt/C catalysts (10 000 cycles).
Atomically dispersed Pt embedded in Ti1−xO2 (Pt1O1/Ti1−xO2) was engineered via a cation‐deficient electrostatic anchorage route. The inherent charge transfer within the Pt−O realm thus evolved the catalytic matrix into the dual Pt−OPt catalytic sites towards high‐efficient and durable hydrogen evolution.
The long term effect of biochar application on soil microbial biomass is not well understood. We measured soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) in a field experiment during a winter ...wheat growing season after four consecutive years of no (CK), 4.5 (B4.5) and 9.0 t biochar ha(-1) yr(-1) (B9.0) applied. For comparison, a treatment with wheat straw residue incorporation (SR) was also included. Results showed that biochar application increased soil MBC significantly compared to the CK treatment, and that the effect size increased with biochar application rate. The B9.0 treatment showed the same effect on MBC as the SR treatment. Treatments effects on soil MBN were less strong than for MBC. The microbial biomass C∶N ratio was significantly increased by biochar. Biochar might decrease the fraction of biomass N mineralized (KN), which would make the soil MBN for biochar treatments underestimated, and microbial biomass C∶N ratios overestimated. Seasonal fluctuation in MBC was less for biochar amended soils than for CK and SR treatments, suggesting that biochar induced a less extreme environment for microorganisms throughout the season. There was a significant positive correlation between MBC and soil water content (SWC), but there was no significant correlation between MBC and soil temperature. Biochar amendments may therefore reduce temporal variability in environmental conditions for microbial growth in this system thereby reducing temporal fluctuations in C and N dynamics.
Described herein is an imidazole ring formation strategy for the synthesis of axially chiral N‐arylbenzimidazoles by means of chiral phosphoric acid catalysis. Two sets of conditions were developed ...to transform two classes of 2‐naphthylamine derivatives into structurally diverse N‐arylbenzimidazole atropisomers with excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity as well as high levels of enantiocontrol. It is worth reflecting on the unique roles played by the nitroso group in this domino reaction. It functions as a linchpin by first offering an electrophilic site (N) for the initial C−N bond formation while the resulting amine performs the nucleophilic addition to form the second C−N bond. Additionally, it could facilitate the final oxidative aromatization as an oxidant. The atropisomeric products could be conveniently elaborated to a series of axially chiral derivatives, enabling the exploitation of N‐arylbenzimidazoles for their potential utilities in asymmetric catalysis.
A benzimidazole ring formation strategy for the synthesis of axially chiral N‐arylbenzimidazoles by means of chiral phosphoric acid catalysis is presented. Two sets of conditions were developed to transform two classes of 2‐naphthylamine derivatives into structurally diverse N‐arylbenzimidazole atropisomers with excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity as well as high levels of enantiocontrol.
There is little evidence that adjuvant therapy after radical surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS). We conducted a ...multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase IV trial evaluating the benefit of an aqueous extract of
Murr (Huaier granule) to address this unmet need.
A total of 1044 patients were randomised in 2:1 ratio to receive either Huaier or no further treatment (controls) for a maximum of 96 weeks. The primary endpoint was RFS. Secondary endpoints included OS and tumour extrahepatic recurrence rate (ERR). The Huaier (n=686) and control groups (n=316) had a mean RFS of 75.5 weeks and 68.5 weeks, respectively (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.81). The difference in the RFS rate between Huaier and control groups was 62.39% and 49.05% (95% CI 6.74 to 19.94; p=0.0001); this led to an OS rate in the Huaier and control groups of 95.19% and 91.46%, respectively (95% CI 0.26 to 7.21; p=0.0207). The tumour ERR between Huaier and control groups was 8.60% and 13.61% (95% CI -12.59 to -2.50; p=0.0018), respectively.
This is the first nationwide multicentre study, involving 39 centres and 1044 patients, to prove the effectiveness of Huaier granule as adjuvant therapy for HCC after curative liver resection. It demonstrated a significant prolongation of RFS and reduced extrahepatic recurrence in Huaier group.
NCT01770431; Post-results.
PDF
