Evolutionary dynamics of 3D genome architecture following polyploidization in cotton.

The formation of polyploids significantly increases the complexity of transcriptional regulation, which is expected to be reflected in sophisticated higher-order chromatin structures. However, knowledge of three-dimensional (3D) genome structure and its dynamics during polyploidization remains poor. Here, we characterize 3D genome architectures for diploid and tetraploid cotton, and find the existence of A/B compartments and topologically associated domains (TADs).

Improving Flue Gas Mercury Removal in Waste Incinerators by Optimization of Carbon Injection Rate.

This study tested the mercury emission characteristics of six municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and recommended future mercury control via adjusting operational parameters. The results indicated that over 99% of the mercury in solid wastes ended in fly ash and flue gas, of which 3.3-66.

A Highly Resolved Mercury Emission Inventory of Chinese Coal-Fired Power Plants.

As the largest coal consumer in China, the coal-fired power plants have come under increasing public concern in regard to atmospheric mercury pollution. This study developed an up-to-date and high-resolution mercury emission inventory of Chinese coal-fired power plants using a unit-based method that combined data from individual power plants, provincial coal characteristics, and industry removal efficiencies. National mercury emissions in 2015 were estimated at 73 tons, including 54 tons of elemental mercury, 18 tons of gaseous oxidized mercury and 1 ton of particle-bound mercury.

Multipolar Nanocube Plasmon Mode-Mixing in Finite Substrates.

Facile control of the radiative and nonradiative properties of plasmonic nanostructures is of practical importance to a wide range of applications in the biological, chemical, optical, information, and energy sciences. For example, the ability to easily tune not only the plasmon spectrum but also the degree of coupling to light and/or heat, quality factor, and optical mode volume would aid the performance and function of nanophotonic devices and molecular sensors that rely upon plasmonic elements to confine and manipulate light at nanoscopic dimensions. While many routes exist to tune these properties, identifying new approaches-especially when they are simple to apply experimentally-is an important task.

Functional characterization of a type 2 metallothionein gene, SsMT2, from alkaline-tolerant Suaeda salsa.

A type 2 metallothionein gene, SsMT2, was cloned from Suaeda salsa, a salt- and alkali-tolerant plant, which is dominant species on the saline/alkali soil of northeast China. The SsMT2 gene was expressed in all organs except the flower and its expression was induced by various stresses such as CdCl, NaCl, NaHCO, and HO treatments. SsMT2-transgenic yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed significantly increased resistance to metal, salt and oxidant stresses.

[Changes in the expression of EphA5/ephrinA5 in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in rats with epilepsy and their role in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy].

Objective: To investigate the changes in the expression of EphA5 and its ligand ephrinA5 in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy and their role in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: A total of 240 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group and TLE group, with 120 rats in each group. A rat model of lithium-pilocarpine TLE was established, and then the rats were divided into subgroups at 12 and 24 hours and 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after epilepsy was induced.

Probing Nanoparticle Plasmons with Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy.

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) performed in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has demonstrated unprecedented power in the characterization of surface plasmons. The subangstrom spatial resolution achieved in EELS and its capability of exciting the full set of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) modes supported by a metallic nanostructure makes STEM/EELS an ideal tool in the study of LSPRs. The plasmonic properties characterized using EELS can be associated with geometric or structural features collected simultaneously in a STEM to achieve a deeper understanding of the plasmonic response.

Younger age at surgery and lesser seizure frequency as prognostic factors for favorable seizure-related outcome after glioma resection in adults.

The identification of variables predictive of good seizure control following surgical tumor resection in adult glioma patients with tumor-related epilepsy would greatly benefit treatment decisions. Therefore, we analyzed the clinical data of adult patients with tumor-related epilepsy who underwent tumor resection at our institute between November 2011 and August 2013. Patients were divided into seizure-free (Engel Ia) and unfavorable outcome groups (Engel Ib-IV), and potential prognostic factors were analyzed.

A two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe for the synergistic detection of the mitochondrial SO/HClO crosstalk in cells and in vivo.

Known as a new member of the reactive sulphur species (RSS), endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO) plays potentially reductive roles such as antioxidation, anti-aging, anti-inflammation, and cytoprotection; however, SO is also a metabolite of antioxidation. Hypochlorous acid (HClO) has powerful bio-effects on the innate immune system, and its uncontrolled production leads to adverse damage in cells. To illuminate the potential crosstalk between SO and HClO in redox homeostasis, we designed a two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe for dual-response to mitochondrial SO/HClO crosstalk in cells and in vivo.

Could lung cancer exosomes induce apoptosis of natural killer cells through the p75NTR-proNGF-sortilin axis?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Tumor exosomes play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Previous studies indicated that tumor exosomes derived from lung cancer cells contained abundant sortilin.

The Epstein-Barr Virus Regulome in Lymphoblastoid Cells.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforms B cells to continuously proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), which represent an experimental model for EBV-associated cancers. EBV nuclear antigens (EBNAs) and LMP1 are EBV transcriptional regulators that are essential for LCL establishment, proliferation, and survival. Starting with the 3D genome organization map of LCL, we constructed a comprehensive EBV regulome encompassing 1,992 viral/cellular genes and enhancers.

Brain iron deposition analysis using susceptibility weighted imaging and its association with body iron level in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

The aim of the present study was to analyze brain and body iron levels among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and normal controls (NCs). A total of 90 participants (30 MCI, 30 AD, 30 NC) were enrolled. Brain iron content was quantified using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI).

1,2-Dichloroethane Induces Reproductive Toxicity Mediated by the CREM/CREB Signaling Pathway in Male NIH Swiss Mice.

1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) is a widely used chlorinated organic toxicant but little is known about the reproductive disorders induced by its excessive exposure. To reveal 1,2-DCE-induced male reproductive toxicity and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we exposed male National Institutes of Health Swiss mice to 1,2-DCE by inhalation at 0, 100, 350, and 700 mg/m3 for 6 h/day, for 1 and 4 weeks. Our findings showed a significant decrease in body weight with increased testis/body weight ratio, reduced sperm concentration and induced malformation of spermatozoa, and vacuolar degeneration of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of testes in mice exposed to 1,2-DCE.

Aberrant expression of miR-451a contributes to 1,2-dichloroethane-induced hepatic glycerol gluconeogenesis disorder by inhibiting glycerol kinase expression in NIH Swiss mice.

The identification of aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression during chemical-induced hepatic dysfunction will lead to a better understanding of the substantial role of miRNAs in liver diseases. 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), a chlorinated organic toxicant, can lead to hepatic abnormalities in occupationally exposed populations. To explore whether aberrant miRNA expression is involved in liver abnormalities mediated by 1,2-DCE exposure, we examined alterations in miRNA expression patterns in the livers of NIH Swiss mice after dynamic inhalation exposure to 350 or 700 mg m 1,2-DCE for 28 days.

Sterols from the Green Alga Ulva australis.

Three new sterols, (24)-5,28-stigmastadiene-3β,24-diol-7-one (), (24)-5,28-stigmastadiene-3β,24-diol-7-one (), and 24 and 24-vinylcholesta-3β,5α,6β,24-tetraol (), together with three known sterols (-) were isolated from the green alga . The structures of the new compounds (-) were elucidated through 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. Compounds - were identified as isofucoterol (), 24,28 and 24,28-epoxy-24-ethylcholesterol (), and (24)-stigmastadiene-3β,24-diol () on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with those reported in the literature.

Genome-wide association study Identified multiple Genetic Loci on Chilling Resistance During Germination in Maize.

Maize (Zea mays, L.) cultivation has expanded greatly from tropical to temperate zones; however, its sensitivity to chilling often results in decreased germination rates, weak seedlings with reduced survival rates, and eventually lower yields. We conducted germination tests on the maize-282-diverse-panel (282 inbred lines) under normal (25 °C) and chilling (8 °C) conditions.

PD-L1 expression in lung cancer and its correlation with driver mutations: a meta-analysis.

Although many studies have addressed the prognostic value of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung cancer, the results remain controversial. A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify the correlation between PD-L1 expression and driver mutations and overall survival (OS). This meta-analysis enrolled a total of 11,444 patients for 47 studies, and the pooled results showed that increased PD-L1 expression was associated with poor prognosis (HR = 1.

Robust hybrid enzyme nanoreactor mediated plasmonic sensing strategy for ultrasensitive screening of anti-diabetic drug.

Enzyme inhibition based drug screening strategy has been widely employed for new drug discovery. But this strategy faces some challenges in practical application especially for the trace active compound screening from natural products such as the stability of enzyme and the sensitivity of screening approach. Inspired by the above, we for the first time demonstrate the self-assembly of α-glucosidase (GAA) and glucose oxidase (GOx) into one multi-enzymes-inorganic nanoreactor with hierarchical structure (flower shape).

Direct observation of multiple rotational stacking faults coexisting in freestanding bilayer MoS.

Electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) MoS semiconductors can be modulated by introducing specific defects. One important type of defect in 2D layered materials is known as rotational stacking fault (RSF), but the coexistence of multiple RSFs with different rotational angles was not directly observed in freestanding 2D MoS before. In this report, we demonstrate the coexistence of three RSFs with three different rotational angles in a freestanding bilayer MoS sheet as directly observed using an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (TEM).

Large manipulative experiments reveal complex effects of food supplementation on population dynamics of Brandt's voles.

Although food supplementation is well known to increase population density, there is still debate on the causative effects of food supplementation on reproduction, survival, and immigration. Large manipulative experiments, which exclude any confounding effects of dispersal and predation, are essential for clarifying the debate. In this study, we investigated the effects of food supplementation on Brandt's vole population dynamics and plant community in eight large enclosures (0.

Wide-Acidity-Range pH Fluorescence Probes for Evaluation of Acidification in Mitochondria and Digestive Tract Mucosa.

The cells control their pH change in a very accurate range. pH plays important roles in cell autophagy and apoptosis. Previous evidence implies that the internal milieu of a tumor is acidified.

The water dimer reaction OH + (HO) → (HO)-OH + HO.

The stationary points, including the entrance complex, transition states, and the exit complex, for the reaction OH + (HO) → (HO)OH + HO have been carefully examined using the "gold standard" CCSD(T) method with the correlation-consistent basis sets up to cc-pVQZ. The complex (HO)OH is found to lie 10.8 kcal mol below the separated reactants.

Facile and sensitive determination of N-nitrosamines in food samples by high-performance liquid chromatography via combining fluorescent labeling with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction.

The intake of N-nitrosamines (NAs) from foodstuffs is considered to be an important influence factor for several cancers. But the rapid and sensitive screening of NAs remains a challenge in the field of food safety. Inspired by that, a sensitive and rapid method was demonstrated for determination of five NAs (Nitrosopyrrolidine, Nitrosodimethylamine, Nitrosodiethylamine, Nitrosodipropylamine and Nitrosodibutylamine) using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD).