Unlocking the potential of genome editing in agriculture with tissue culture-free techniques.

Genome editing holds great promise for enhancing crop traits; however, progress has been slow due to inefficient delivery methods and reliance on tissue culture for regenerating edited plants, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address these limitations, innovative tissue culture-free techniques have been developed, including meristem editing through biolistic-mediated delivery and RNA virus-mediated delivery. New methods for de novo gene-edited meristem induction and root suckering-based cut-dip-budding have also been established.

Prevalence and clinical correlates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in heart failure patients: a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Despite chronic obstructive pulmonary disease's (COPD)'s prevalence in the general populace, its incidence in heart failure (HF) patients is understudied. This study aimed to assess COPD prevalence and clinical associations in Chinese HF patients.

Methods: From the Chinese Heart Failure Study, demographic and clinical details of 2008 HF patients were analyzed.

Molecular characterization of a rare TP63 variant associated with split-hand/split-foot malformation 4 and incomplete penetrance: disruption of the p63-Dlx signaling pathway.

Background: Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a congenital disability characterized by the absence or hypoplasia of the central ray of the hands and/or feet. This study reports a causative variant in the TP63 gene in a Chinese family exhibiting limb anomalies associated with SHFM4.

Methods: Enrolled in this study was a Chinese family with limb anomalies without any other clinical features.

Cross-diffusion waves by cellular automata modeling: Pattern formation in porous media.

Porous earth materials exhibit large-scale deformation patterns, such as deformation bands, which emerge from complex small-scale interactions. This paper introduces a cross-diffusion framework designed to capture these multiscale, multiphysics phenomena, inspired by the study of multi-species chemical systems. A microphysics-enriched continuum approach is developed to accurately predict the formation and evolution of these patterns.

Inverse design workflow discovers hole-transport materials tailored for perovskite solar cells.

The inverse design of tailored organic molecules for specific optoelectronic devices of high complexity holds an enormous potential but has not yet been realized. Current models rely on large data sets that generally do not exist for specialized research fields. We demonstrate a closed-loop workflow that combines high-throughput synthesis of organic semiconductors to create large datasets and Bayesian optimization to discover new hole-transporting materials with tailored properties for solar cell applications.

Effects of blanching cultivation on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of Chinese chive.

Blanching is an agricultural practice where vegetables are cultivated in darkness to prevent photosynthesis, thereby modifying their colour, texture, and flavor. The technique is popularly employed in Chinese chive (CC). Blanched Chinese chive (BCC) is renowned for its pale-yellow appearance, delicate flavor, and culinary-medicinal values; nonetheless, how blanching alters the chemical composition largely remains intangible.

Deciphering immunodiffusion: In silico optimization for faster protein diagnostics.

Immunodiffusion tests offer a simple yet powerful method for detecting protein antigens, but their long assay times hinder clinical utility. We unveil the complex interplay of parameters governing this process using finite element simulations. By meticulously validating our model against real-world data, we elucidate how initial concentrations and diffusivities of antigen and antibody shape the intensity, size, and formation time of the precipitin ring.

Unraveling the Influence of Solvent on Side Reactions between Formamidinium Lead Triiodide and Methylammonium Cations.

Formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI) perovskite thin films are commonly deposited through a solution process, often incorporating a specific amount of methylammonium halide to stabilize the α-phase or enhance their crystallinity. The precursor solution for such coatings significantly influences the fabrication of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), involving time-dependent aging and byproduct formation. The chemical principle underlying this behavior is believed to be related to the deprotonation of methylamine cations (MA) and subsequent chemical reactions with FA to generate -methylformamidinium.

Emergence of precursor instabilities in geo-processes: Insights from dense active matter.

We present the hypothesis that investigation of precursor mechanisms to large scale instabilities, that have so far been overlooked in geo-processes, is possible. These precursor processes are evident in multicomponent materials, such as granular matter, when driven far from equilibrium on its microscale. The material is then classified as "dense active matter" with unexpected behaviour by non-local dissipation of internal energy releasing its dynamic incompatibility with the macroscopic gradients as self-excitation waves under external forcing.

Deciphering Reaction Products in Formamidine-Based Perovskites with Methylammonium Chloride Additive.

The fabrication of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) involves the addition of methylammonium chloride (MACl) to promote low-temperature α-phase formation and grain growth. However, as the added MACl deprotonates and volatilizes into methylamine (MA) and HCl for removal, MA can chemically interact with formamidinium (FA), forming methyl formamidinium (MFA) as a byproduct. Despite its significance, the chemical interactions among FAPbI perovskites, MACl additives, and their byproducts remain poorly understood.

Integrated System Built for Small-Molecule Semiconductors via High-Throughput Approaches.

High-throughput synthesis of solution-processable structurally variable small-molecule semiconductors is both an opportunity and a challenge. A large number of diverse molecules provide a possibility for quick material discovery and machine learning based on experimental data. However, the diversity of the molecular structure leads to the complexity of molecular properties, such as solubility, polarity, and crystallinity, which poses great challenges to solution processing and purification.

Favorable mid-term performance of fully biodegradable implantable device for ventricular septal defect closure.

Objectives: To assess the mid-term safety and efficacy of transthoracic perimembranous ventricular septal defect (Pm-VSD) closure using a new biodegradable device. Implantation entailed right subaxillary minithoracotomy under transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

Methods: Between October 2019 and January 2020, 13 patients (males, 5; mean age, 3.

Physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolic analyses reveal that mild salinity improves the growth, nutrition, and flavor properties of hydroponic Chinese chive ( Rottler ex Spr).

Environmental stressors such as salinity have pronounced impacts on the growth, productivity, nutrition, and flavor of horticultural crops, though yield loss sometimes is inevitable. In this study, the salinity influences were evaluated using hydroponic Chinese chive () treated with different concentrations of sodium chloride. The results demonstrated that lower salinity could stimulate plant growth and yield.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Auxin Response Factors in Lettuce ( L.) Reveals the Positive Roles of LsARF8a in Thermally Induced Bolting.

Warm temperatures induce plant bolting accompanied by flower initiation, where endogenous auxin is dynamically associated with accelerated growth. Auxin signaling is primarily regulated by a family of plant-specific transcription factors, AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs), which either activate or repress the expression of downstream genes in response to developmental and environmental cues. However, the relationship between ARFs and bolting has not been completely understood in lettuce yet.

Intrinsic Phase Stability and Inherent Bandgap of Formamidinium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Single Crystals.

Understanding the intrinsic phase stability and inherent band gap of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI ) perovskites is crucial to further improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we explored the α- to δ-phase transition and band gap of FAPbI single crystals grown by an inverse temperature solubility method. We found that the residual γ-butyrolactone solvents in the inner empty space of the FAPbI single crystal accelerate the phase transition at kinetics.

Determination of reliable reference genes for gene expression studies in Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) based on the transcriptome profiling.

Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) is widely cultivated around the world for its unique flavor, nutrient, and medicinal values, yet its molecular mechanism on flavor formation and other metabolic pathways remains intangible. The elucidation of these complex processes begins with investigating the expression of the genes of interest, however the appropriate reference genes (RGs) for normalizing the gene expression are still unavailable in A. tuberosum.

Exploration and validation of hub genes and pathways in the progression of hypoplastic left heart syndrome via weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

Background: Despite significant progress in surgical treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), its mortality and morbidity are still high. Little is known about the molecular abnormalities of the syndrome. In this study, we aimed to probe into hub genes and key pathways in the progression of the syndrome.

Knockdown of Long Noncoding RNA Abhd11os Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Apoptosis in Cardiomyocytes.

Long noncoding RNA is one potential target for the treatment of various disorders. Here, we explored the role of Abhd11os in ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury, and preliminarily explored the regulatory mechanisms. Relative Abhd11os expression level was examined by qRT-PCR.

Transcriptome landscapes of multiple tissues highlight the genes involved in the flavor metabolic pathway in Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum).

The unique flavor of Allium tuberosum is primarily associated with the hydrolysis of a series of organosulfur compounds, S-alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxides (CSOs), upon tissue bruising or maceration. To obtain the tissue-specific transcriptomes, 18 RNA-Seq libraries representing leaf, root, stem, mature flower, inflorescence, and seed tissues of A. tuberosum were sequenced, finally yielding 133.

Efficient and Stable Antimony Selenoiodide Solar Cells.

Although antimony selenoiodide (SbSeI) exhibits a suitable bandgap as well as interesting physicochemical properties, it has not been applied to solar cells. Here the fabrication of SbSeI solar cells is reported for the first time using multiple spin-coating cycles of SbI solutions on SbSe thin layer, which is formed by thermal decomposition after depositing a single-source precursor solution. The performance exhibits a short-circuit current density of 14.

Efficacy of rapid on-site cytological evaluation (ROSE) by a pulmonologist in determining specimen adequacy and diagnostic accuracy in interventional diagnosis of lung lesions.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of rapid on-site cytological evaluation (ROSE) in determining specimen adequacy and diagnostic accuracy in the interventional diagnosis of lung lesions.

Methods: This retrospective study included 127 consecutive cases of lung lesions, which were sampled by bronchoscopy or transthoracic fine needle aspiration, and diagnosed on ROSE followed by histopathology. ROSE was performed by a trained pulmonologist and the diagnosis of ROSE was compared with the final diagnosis.

Strain Tuning via Larger Cation and Anion Codoping for Efficient and Stable Antimony-Based Solar Cells.

Strain induced by lattice distortion is one of the key factors that affect the photovoltaic performance via increasing defect densities. The unsatisfied power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of solar cells based on antimony chalcogenides (Sb-Chs) are owing to their photoexcited carriers being self-trapped by the distortion of SbS lattice. However, strain behavior in Sb-Chs-based solar cells has not been investigated.

Role of metformin in treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Metformin is a first-line treatment for most patients with T2DM, and may have antiaging, antioxidant, and anti-tumour effects. A few published studies report the use of metformin for the treatment of COPD in patients with or without T2DM, but the results are inconsistent.

Side-Chain Polymers as Dopant-Free Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells-The Impact of Substituents' Positions in Carbazole on Device Performance.

Side-chain polymers have the potential to be excellent dopant-free hole-transporting materials (HTMs) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) because of their unique characteristics, such as tunable energy levels, high charge mobility, good solubility, and excellent film-forming ability. However, there has been less research focusing on side-chain polymers for PSCs. Here, two side-chain polystyrenes with triphenylamine substituents on carbazole moieties were designed and characterized.

Organic Monomolecular Layers Enable Energy-Level Matching for Efficient Hole Transporting Layer Free Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

High-efficiency hole transport layer free perovskite solar cells (HTL-free PSCs) with economical and simplified device structure can greatly facilitate the commercialization of PSCs. However, eliminating the key HTL in PSCs results usually in a severe efficiency loss and poor carrier transfer due to the energy-level mismatching at the indium tin oxide (ITO)/perovskite interface. In this study, we solve this issue by introducing an organic monomolecular layer (ML) to raise the effective work function of ITO with the assistance of an interface dipole created by Sn-N bonds.