Deciphering a global source of non-genetic heterogeneity in cancer cells.

Cell-to-cell variability within a clonal population, also known as non-genetic heterogeneity, has created significant challenges for intervening with diseases such as cancer. While non-genetic heterogeneity can arise from the variability in the expression of specific genes, it remains largely unclear whether and how clonal cells could be heterogeneous in the expression of the entire transcriptome. Here, we showed that gene transcriptional activity is globally modulated in individual cancer cells, leading to non-genetic heterogeneity in the global transcription rate.

CaZn(HPO) and BaZn(HPO): novel alkaline-earth zincophosphites with diversified anionic frameworks.

Two novel alkaline-earth zincophosphites, namely CaZn(HPO) and BaZn(HPO), were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. CaZn(HPO) exhibits a three-dimensional (3D) anionic framework with a 6-connected uni-nodal pcu α-Po primitive cubic topology, constructed by unique ZnO dimers and HPO pseudo-tetrahedra, while BaZn(HPO) displays one-dimensional (1D) [Zn(HPO)] anionic chains. It is worth mentioning that CaZn(HPO) represents the first example of an alkaline-earth zincophosphite compound with a 3D framework structure.

From Centrosymmetry to Noncentrosymmetry: Precise Structural Regulation and Characterization on ZnHPO·2HO Polymorphs.

Polymorphs of ZnHPO·2HO with centrosymmetry () and noncentrosymmetry (2) structures were prepared by modified solution evaporation and seed-crystal-induced secondary nucleation methods. In -ZnHPO·2HO, the zinc atoms are only octahedrally coordinated, while in 2-ZnHPO·2HO, they feature both tetrahedral and octahedral coordination. As a result, -ZnHPO·2HO features a 2D layered structure with lattice water molecules located in the interlayer space, while 2-ZnHPO·2HO features a 3D electroneutral framework of topology connected by Zn(1)O, Zn(2)O, and HPO units.

Bacterial cellulose loaded with silver nanoparticles as a flexible, stable and sensitive SERS-active substrate for detection of the shellfish toxin DTX-1.

Diarrheal shellfish toxins are considered one of the most lethal red tide algae toxins in the worldwide. In this work, we propose an Ag NPs-loaded bacterial cellulose membrane (BCM) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on an aptamer (Apt) for the ultrasensitive detection of dinophysistoxin (DTX-1), a type of diarrheal shellfish toxin. During drying, Ag NPs can be further densified on "gel-like" BCM to form high-density SERS "hot spots".

NFAT and NF-κB dynamically co-regulate TCR and CAR signaling responses in human T cells.

While it has been established that the responses of T cells to antigens are combinatorially regulated by multiple signaling pathways, it remains elusive what mechanisms cells utilize to quantitatively modulate T cell responses during pathway integration. Here, we show that two key pathways in T cell signaling, calcium/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and protein kinase C (PKC)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), integrate through a dynamic and combinatorial strategy to fine-tune T cell response genes. At the cis-regulatory level, the two pathways integrate through co-binding of NFAT and NF-κB to immune response genes.

Preparation of SERS substrate with 2D silver plate and nano silver sol for plasticizer detection in edible oil.

As a widely used industrial additive of plastic products, phthalate ester (PAE) plasticizers can easily migrate into food, threatening human health. In this work, we proposed a rapid, precise, and reliable method to detect PAE plasticizers in edible oils by using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology. A two-dimensional (2D) silver plate synergizing with a nanosilver sol was prepared as a substrate for SERS to detect potassium hydrogen phthalate (PHP), a hydrolysate of a PAE plasticizer.

Genome-Wide Analysis of and Gene Families in and Their Roles in Salt Stress Response.

is a halophyte with exceptional nutritional qualities, and therefore it is potentially an ideal crop to grow in saline soils, not only addressing the problem of land salinization, but also providing nutrient food for the health of humans. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in quinoa are still largely unknown. In , receptor-like kinase (RLK1Ls) FERONIA (FER) and its ligands rapid alkalinization factors (RALFs) have been reported that participate in the regulation of salt tolerance.

CuMnGeS and CuMnGeS: two polar thiogermanates exhibiting second harmonic generation in the infrared and structures derived from hexagonal diamond.

The new, quaternary diamond-like semiconductor (DLS) CuMnGeS was prepared at high-temperature from a stoichiometric reaction of the elements under vacuum. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data were used to solve and refine the structure in the polar space group CuMnGeS features [GeS] units and adopts the CuSiS structure type that can be considered a derivative of the hexagonal diamond structure. The DLS CuMnGeS with the wurtz-stannite structure was similarly prepared at a lower temperature.

Synthesis of γ Phase and Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Glycine from α-Glycine During the Solvent-Free Ball Milling Process.

Nano α-glycine crystals, γ-glycine crystals, and amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of glycine were prepared through solvent-free ball milling of commercial α-glycine. The solid-state polymorph conversion of glycine from α to γ was completely realized by ball milling with 0.2 wt.

A study of composition effects on the bandgaps in a series of new alkali metal aluminum/gallium iodates.

Four new alkali metal aluminum/gallium iodates, namely AM(IO)(HIO) (A = K, Rb and M = Al, Ga), have been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction and structurally characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the P1[combining macron] space group (no. 2) with one formula unit in each unit cell.

Dissecting the regulation and function of ATP at the single-cell level.

Regulation of cellular ATP level is critical for diverse biological processes and may be defective in diseases such as cancer and mitochondrial disorders. While mitochondria play critical roles in ATP level regulation, we still lack a systematic and quantitative picture of how individual mitochondrial-related genes contribute to cellular ATP level and how dysregulated ATP levels may affect downstream cellular processes. Advances in genetically encoded ATP biosensors have provided new opportunities for addressing these issues.

RbSeBO(OH) and CsSeBO(OH): one dimensional boroselenite-based anionic frameworks with second harmonic generation properties.

Two new alkali boroselenites RbSe3B2O9(OH) and CsSe3B2O9(OH) have been synthesized by traditional solid-state reactions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study indicated that they are isostructural and adopt a new type of structure, which crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P212121. Optical diffuse reflectance spectrum studies emphasized that both are indirect optical transitions with values of 3.

Correction: Infrared nonlinear optical properties of lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors LiZnGeSe and LiZnSnSe.

Correction for 'Infrared nonlinear optical properties of lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors LiZnGeSe and LiZnSnSe' by Jian-Han Zhang et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 11212-11222.

A new method for the preparation of a [Sn(HPO)]Br SHG-active polar crystal via surfactant-induced strategy.

Herein, unprecedented NLO-brominated tin hypophosphites, namely [Sn(HPO)]Br, were discovered via a facile surfactant-induced method, which displayed a moderate powder SHG intensity (3.0 × KDP) in type - I phase matching behavior. This complex has high chemical and thermal stability at room temperature.

Infrared nonlinear optical properties of lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors Li2ZnGeSe4 and Li2ZnSnSe4.

Two new lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors, Li2ZnGeSe4 and Li2ZnSnSe4, have been prepared by high-temperature, solid-state synthesis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that both compounds adopt the wurtz-kesterite structure type, crystallizing in the noncentrosymmetric space group Pn. X-ray powder diffraction coupled with Rietveld refinement indicates the high degree of phase purity in which the materials are prepared.

Optical nonlinearity in Cu₂CdSnS₄ and α/β-Cu₂ZnSiS₄: diamond-like semiconductors with high laser-damage thresholds.

Cu2CdSnS4 and α/β-Cu2ZnSiS4 meet several criteria for promising nonlinear optical materials for use in the infrared (IR) region. Both are air-stable, crystallize in noncentrosymmetric space groups, and possess high thermal stabilities. Cu2CdSnS4 and α/β-Cu2ZnSiS4 display wide ranges of optical transparency, 1.

KSbB2O6 and BaSb2B4O12: novel boroantimonates with 3D anionic architectures composed of 1D chains of SbO6 octahedra and B2O5 groups.

Two new boroantimonates, namely, KSbB2O6 and BaSb2B4O12, have been successfully synthesized through high-temperature solid state reactions. Their structures feature two types of novel anionic 3D frameworks composed of 1D chains of corner-sharing SbO6 octahedra that are interconnected by B2O5 groups. The 1D chains of corner-sharing SbO6 octahedra in polar KSbB2O6 (space group Cc) are extended along the c-axis, whereas those in the centrosymmetric BaSb2B4O12 (space group C2/c) are propagated along the [101] direction.

Cs2GeB4O9: a new second-order nonlinear-optical crystal.

A new alkali-metal borogermanate with noncentrosymmetric structure, namely, Cs2GeB4O9, has been discovered, and a large crystal with dimensions of 20 × 16 × 8 mm(3) has been grown by a high-temperature top-seeded solution method using Cs2O-B2O3 as a flux. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4 with a = b = 6.8063(2) Å, c = 9.

Luminescent lanthanide metal-organic frameworks with a large SHG response.

A family of new luminescent lanthanide MOFs have been synthesized and display a strong second-harmonic generation response, which is 6.0 times that of KDP and phase matchable. The LnMOFs also exhibit typical luminescence emissions with high quantum yields (up to 70.

Syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of new lanthanide(III) organoarsonates.

The first examples of lanthanide(III) organoarsonates, Ln(L(1))(H(2)O)(3) (Ln = La (1), H(3)L(1) = 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylarsonic acid), Ln(L(1))(H(2)O)(2) (Ln = Nd (2), Gd (3)), and mixed-ligand lanthanide(III) organoarsonates, Ln(2)(HL(1))(2)(C(2)O(4))(H(2)O)(2) (Ln = Nd (4), Sm (5), Eu (6)), were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1-3 feature a corrugated lanthanide arsonate layer, in which 1D lanthanide arsonate inorganic chains are further interconnected via bridging L(1)(3-) ligands. Compounds 4-6 exhibit a complicated 3D network.

Ca10Ge16B6O51 and Cd12Ge17B8O58: two types of new 3D frameworks based on BO4 tetrahedra and 1D [Ge4O12]n chains.

Two new acentric borogermanates, Ca(10)Ge(16)B(6)O(51) (Pba2) and Cd(12)Ge(17)B(8)O(58) (P4), have been successfully synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions of CaCO(3) (or CdCO(3)), GeO(2), and H(3)BO(3). Both structures display the same one-dimensional (1D) [Ge(4)O(12)](n) chains composed of GeO(4) tetrahedra and GeO(6) octahedra. In Ca(10)Ge(16)B(6)O(51), neighboring 1D [Ge(4)O(12)](n) chains are condensed into a two-dimensional (2D) [Ge(4)O(10.

Ba3[Ge2B7O16(OH)2](OH)(H2O) and Ba3Ge2B6O16: novel alkaline-earth borogermanates based on two types of polymeric borate units and GeO4 tetrahedra.

Two new barium borogermanates with two types of novel structures, namely, Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O) and Ba(3)Ge(2)B(6)O(16), have been synthesized by hydrothermal or high-temperature solid-state reactions. They represent the first examples of alkaline-earth borogermanates. Ba(3)[Ge(2)B(7)O(16)(OH)(2)](OH)(H(2)O) crystallized in a polar space group Cc.

A series of new phases in the alkali metal-Nb(V)/Ta(V)-Se(IV)/Te(IV)-O systems.

Six new phases in the alkali metal-Nb(V)/Ta(V)-Se(IV)/Te(IV)-O systems have been prepared by solid-state reactions at high-temperatures. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. AM(3)O(6)(QO(3))(2) (A = K, Rb, M = Nb, Ta, Q = Te; A = K, M = Nb, Q = Se) are isomorphous and their structures feature a 3D network with 1D 4- and 6-MRs tunnels along the a-axis which is composed of 2D layers of corner-sharing MO(6) octahedra bridged by QO(3) groups.

New second-order NLO materials based on polymeric borate clusters and GeO4 tetrahedra: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Three novel rubidium borogermanates with three types of noncentrosymmetric structures, namely, RbGeB(3)O(7), Rb(2)GeB(4)O(9), and Rb(4)Ge(3)B(6)O(17), have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions in platinum crucibles. The structure of RbGeB(3)O(7) features a three-dimensional (3D) anionic framework composed of cyclic B(3)O(7) groups corner-sharing GeO(4) tetrahedra. The structure of Rb(2)GeB(4)O(9) shows a 3D anionic framework based on B(4)O(9) clusters connected by GeO(4) tetrahedra via corner sharing.