Materials informatics platform with three dimensional structures, workflow and thermoelectric applications.

Since the proposal of the "Materials Genome Initiative", several material databases have emerged and advanced many materials fields. In this work, we present the Materials Informatics Platform with Three-Dimensional Structures (MIP-3d). More than 80,000 structural entries, mainly from the inorganic crystal structural database, are included in MIP-3d.

Prediction of the COVID-19 infectivity and the sustainable impact on public health under deep learning algorithm.

The aim is to explore the development trend of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) and predict the infectivity of 2019-nCoV (2019 Novel Coronavirus), as well as its impact on public health. First, the existing data are analyzed through data pre-processing to extract useful feature factors. Then, the LSTM (Long-Short Term Memory) prediction model in the deep learning algorithm is used to predict the epidemic situation in Hubei Province, outside Hubei nationwide, and the whole country, respectively.

Depth-Dependent Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Overwintering Pelagic in a Temperate Water Body.

Cyanobacteria in the genus are dominant components of many harmful algal blooms worldwide. Their pelagic-benthic life cycle helps them survive periods of adverse conditions and contributes greatly to their ecological success. Many studies on overwintering have focused on benthic colonies and suggest that sediment serves as the major inoculum for subsequent summer blooms.

TPEN attenuates amyloid-β-induced neuronal damage with changes in the electrophysiological properties of voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels.

To understand the role of intracellular zinc ion (Zn) dysregulation in mediating age-related neurodegenerative changes, particularly neurotoxicity resulting from the generation of excessive neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, this study aimed to investigate whether N, N, N', N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), a Zn-specific chelator, could attenuate Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and the underlying electrophysiological mechanism. We used the 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay to measure the viability of hippocampal neurons and performed single-cell confocal imaging to detect the concentration of Zn in these neurons. Furthermore, we used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to detect the evoked repetitive action potential (APs), the voltage-gated sodium and potassium (K) channels of primary hippocampal neurons.

Dynamical Water Ingress and Dissolution at the Amorphous-Crystalline Cellulose Interface.

The use of cellulose has considerable promise in a wide range of industrial applications but is hampered by degradation in mechanical properties due to ambient moisture uptake. Existing models of equilibrium moisture content can predict the impact of these effects, but at present, the dynamical, atomic-scale picture of water ingress into cellulose is lacking. The present work reports nonequilibrium molecular simulations of the interface between cellulose and water aimed at capturing the initial stages of two simultaneous dynamical processes, water ingress into cellulose and cellulose dissolution into water.

Lower androgen levels promote abnormal cartilage development in female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a disease characterized by changes in the three-dimensional structure of the spine. Studies have shown that the development of AIS might be associated with genetic, biomechanics, endocrine factors and abnormal bone or cartilage development.

Methods: Blood samples collected from 301 female patients (161 females with AIS and 140 females without AIS) were used for genotyping.

C/EBP-α induces autophagy by binding to Beclin1 through its own acetylation modification in activated hepatic stellate cells.

The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a key role in the occurrence of liver fibrosis，and promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs or reducing the number of activated HSCs can reverse the development of liver fibrosis. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated that the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBP-α) played an important role in promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs, thereby exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect. Unlike apoptosis, autophagy, as a caspase-independent programmed cell death, can promptly remove the abnormal accumulation of substances or damaged organelles in cells and play a key role in regulating the homeostasis of intracellular environment.

Heterogeneous postassembly modification of zirconium metal-organic cages in supramolecular frameworks.

We report a heterogeneous postassembly modification (PAM) to synthesize a zirconium metal-organic cage decorated with acrylate functional groups, ZrT-1-AA, which cannot be synthesized by direct coordination-driven self-assembly owing to the reactivity and instability of the ligand. The PAM process is carried out in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency, which is confirmed by ESI-TOF-MS and 1H NMR. In addition, ZrT-1-AA is crosslinked into shaped materials to demonstrate its potential applications.

Screening of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR in Chicken Adipose Tissue and Adipocytes.

Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR is the most commonly used method to detect gene expression levels. In experiments, it is often necessary to correct and standardize the expression level of target genes with reference genes. Therefore, it is very important to select stable reference genes to obtain accurate quantitative results.

Genome-wide identification of the DUF668 gene family in cotton and expression profiling analysis of GhDUF668 in Gossypium hirsutum under adverse stress.

Background: Domain of unknown function 668 (DUF668) may play a crucial role in the plant growth and developmental response to adverse stress. However, our knowledge of the function of the DUF668 gene family is limited.

Results: Our study was conducted based on the DUF668 gene family identified from cotton genome sequencing.

Optimal Pore Chemistry in an Ultramicroporous Metal-Organic Framework for Benchmark Inverse CO /C H Separation.

Isolation of CO from acetylene (C H ) via CO -selective sorbents is an energy-efficient technology for C H purification, but a strategic challenge due to their similar physicochemical properties. There is still no specific methodology for constructing sorbents that preferentially trap CO over C H . We report an effective strategy to construct optimal pore chemistry in a Ce -based ultramicroporous metal-organic framework Ce -MIL-140-4F, based on charge-transfer effects, for efficient inverse CO /C H separation.

Solubilized Cartilage ECM Facilitates the Recruitment and Chondrogenesis of Endogenous BMSCs in Collagen Scaffolds for Enhancing Microfracture Treatment.

Articular cartilage has very poor intrinsic healing ability and its repair remains a significant clinical challenge. To promote neocartilage regeneration, we fabricated two collagen (Col) scaffolds functionalized with a porcine decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) in the forms of particle and solution named pE-Col and sE-Col, respectively. Their differences were systematically compared, including the biochemical compositions, scaffold properties, cell-material interactions, and cartilage regeneration.

Tetrazole-Functionalized Zirconium Metal-Organic Cages for Efficient C H /C H and C H /CO Separations.

Isoreticular functionalization is a well-elucidated strategy for pore environment tuning and the basis of gas separation performance in extended frameworks. The extension of this approach to discrete porous molecules such as metal-organic cages (MOCs) is conceptually straightforward but hindered by synthetic complications, especially stability concerns. We report the successful isoreticular functionalization of a zirconium MOC with tetrazole moiety by bottom-up synthesis.

Celastrol Attenuates Lipid Accumulation and Stemness of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma via CAV-1/LOX-1 Pathway.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by abnormal lipid accumulation. Celastrol is a pentacyclic triterpene extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F with anti-cancer activity. In the present study, the anticancer effects of celastrol on ccRCC and the underlying mechanisms were studied.

Survival risk prediction model for patients with pT NM esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after R0 esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy for therapeutic purposes.

Background: The overall survival (OS) remains unsatisfactory in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after extended esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to identify the risk factors that contribute to the low survival of patients with pTNM ESCC.

Methods: Patients with pTNM ESCC who only underwent R0 esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy in our department from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively enrolled in this study and medical records were reviewed.

A novel method based on membrane distillation for treating acid mine drainage: Recovery of water and utilization of iron.

Rapid and highly efficient treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) is still challenging due to the low pH and high metal concentrations in it. This research focuses on a novel treatment method of AMD using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and photocatalysis to recover water and utilize iron. In the DCMD process without pretreatment, the flux decreased by 93.

Deformed Complex Vertebral Osteotomy Technique for Management of Severe Congenital Spinal Angular Kyphotic Deformity.

Objectives: To (i) introduce the deformed complex vertebral osteotomy (DCVO) technique for the treatment of severe congenital angular spinal kyphosis; (ii) evaluate the sagittal correction efficacy of the DCVO technique; and (iii) discuss the advantages and limitations of the DCVO technique.

Methods: Multiple malformed vertebrae were considered a malformed complex, and large-range and angle wedge osteotomy was performed within the complex using the DCVO technique. Patients with local kyphosis greater than 80° who were treated with DCVO and did not have tumors, infections, or a history of surgery were included.

SAF-248, a novel PI3Kδ-selective inhibitor, potently suppresses the growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PI3Kδ is expressed predominately in leukocytes and overexpressed in B-cell-related malignances. PI3Kδ has been validated as a promising target for cancer therapy, and specific PI3Kδ inhibitors were approved for clinical practice. However, the substantial toxicity and relatively low efficacy as a monotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) limit their clinical use.

Calcineurin Immune Signaling in Response to Zinc Challenge in the Naked Carp Gymnocypris eckloni.

Zinc pollution impairs neural processes and protein function and also effects calcium-related transcriptional regulation and enzyme activity. In this study, we investigated pathways that potentially respond to calcium signaling under Zn stress. Specifically we measured relative expressions of GeCNAα, GeCNB, GeMT, GeTNF-α, GeIL-1β, and GeHsp90 in gills, livers, and kidneys of the indicator species Gymnocypris eckloni and found wide variation in their expression between tissues during the course of Zn exposure.

Conjugated Microporous Polymer with C≡C and C-F Bonds: Achieving Remarkable Stability and Super Anhydrous Proton Conductivity.

Introducing nonvolatile liquid acids into porous solids is a promising solution to construct anhydrous proton-conducting electrolytes, but due to weak coordination or covalent bonds building these solids, they often suffer from structural instability in acidic environments. Herein, we report a series of steady conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) linked by robust alkynyl bonds and functionalized with perfluoroalkyl groups and incorporate them with phosphoric acid. The resulting composite electrolyte exhibits high anhydrous proton conductivity at 30-120 °C (up to 4.

Single dose of a replication-defective vaccinia virus expressing Zika virus-like particles is protective in mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus transmitted primarily by infected mosquitos, can cause neurological symptoms such as Guillian-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. We developed several vaccinia virus (VACV) vaccine candidates for ZIKV based on replication-inducible VACVs (vINDs) expressing ZIKV pre-membrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins (vIND-ZIKVs). These vIND-ZIKVs contain elements of the tetracycline operon and replicate only in the presence of tetracyclines.

An elasticity-curvature illusion decouples cutaneous and proprioceptive cues in active exploration of soft objects.

Our sense of touch helps us encounter the richness of our natural world. Across a myriad of contexts and repetitions, we have learned to deploy certain exploratory movements in order to elicit perceptual cues that are salient and efficient. The task of identifying optimal exploration strategies and somatosensory cues that underlie our softness perception remains relevant and incomplete.

The effect of LyPRP/collagen composite hydrogel on osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs.

Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a significant role in the orthopedic clinical application, it still faces two major problems, namely, uncontrollable factors release, frequent preparation and extraction processes as well as the inconvenient form of usage. To overcome these shortcomings, freeze-dried PRP (LyPRP) was encapsulated into bioactive Col I hydrogel to induce osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). And PRP/Col І composite hydrogel was prepared as a control.