The co-production of xylose, fermentable glucose and β-O-4 linkage-rich lignin through efficiently dismantling sugarcane bagasse.

As an "upstream" process in biorefinery, biomass dismantling can dismantle the natural stable structure of lignocellulosic biomass and separate its three major components. To increase the value of the entire biomass by fully utilizing the three main components (cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose), this study proposes a two-step decomposition system combining formic acid (FA) pretreatment and ethylene glycol-NaOH (EGA) dismantling, aiming to effectively convert sugarcane bagasse into xylose, fermentable glucose, and high-value lignin. In the first step, FA pretreatment removed 79.

Insights into the accumulation and hepatobiliary transport of bisphenols (BPs) in liver and bile.

Bisphenols (BPs) are widely distributed in daily life as typical endocrine disruptors. In this study, we examined the distribution of bisphenol A (BPA) and BPA alternatives in liver (n = 149) and bile (n = 102) tissues from the patients with liver cancer, and calculated the hepatobiliary transport efficiency of BPs (T). Seven BPs were detected in both liver (median: 0.

Microinvasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: predictive factor and application for definition of clinical target volume for radiotherapy.

Background: To investigate the correlation between microinvasion and various features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to clarify the microinvasion distance from visible HCC lesions to subclinical lesions, so as to provide clinical basis for the expandable boundary of clinical target volume (CTV) from gross tumor volume (GTV) in the radiotherapy of HCC.

Methods: HCC patients underwent hepatectomy of liver cancer in our hospital between July 2019 and November 2021 were enrolled. Data on various features and tumor microinvasion distance were collected.

Synergistic Effect of 2-(Trifluoromethyl) Benzimidazole on the Stability and Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells.

The quality of the perovskite active layer directly impacts the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Unfortunately, perovskite films produced through solution methods often have a significant number of defects on their surface, which lead to a substantial degradation in the performance of devices. For this reason, a multifunctional additive 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzimidazole (TFMBI) is introduced into perovskite films.

Generation of neural organoids for spinal-cord regeneration via the direct reprogramming of human astrocytes.

Organoids with region-specific architecture could facilitate the repair of injuries of the central nervous system. Here we show that human astrocytes can be directly reprogrammed into early neuroectodermal cells via the overexpression of OCT4, the suppression of p53 and the provision of the small molecules CHIR99021, SB431542, RepSox and Y27632. We also report that the activation of signalling mediated by fibroblast growth factor, sonic hedgehog and bone morphogenetic protein 4 in the reprogrammed cells induces them to form spinal-cord organoids with functional neurons specific to the dorsal and ventral domains.

SOX9 and SOX10 control fluid homeostasis in the inner ear for hearing through independent and cooperative mechanisms.

The in vivo mechanisms underlying dominant syndromes caused by mutations in SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9 () and () transcription factors, when they either are expressed alone or are coexpressed, are ill-defined. We created a mouse model for the campomelic dysplasia mutation, which truncates the transactivation domain but leaves DNA binding and dimerization intact. Here, we find that causes deafness via distinct mechanisms in the endolymphatic sac (ES)/duct and cochlea.

Fluorogenic RNA aptamers to probe transcription initiation and co-transcriptional RNA folding by multi-subunit RNA polymerases.

Transcription is the first and most highly regulated step in gene expression. Experimental techniques for monitoring transcription are, thus, important for studying gene expression and gene regulation as well as for translational research and drug development. Fluorescence methods are often superior to other techniques for real-time monitoring of biochemical processes.

Dual-specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation-regulated Kinase Inhibitor ID-8 Promotes Human Somatic Cell Reprogramming by Activating PDK4 Expression.

Background: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great potentials in disease modeling, drug screening and cell therapy. However, efficiency and costs of hiPSCs preparation still need to be improved.

Methods: We screened the compounds that target signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications or metabolic-process regulation to replace the growth factors.

Changes in Retinal Perfusion in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: An Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography Study.

Introduction: We aimed to study the change in the retinal perfusion in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Methods: Fourteen patients (28 eyes) diagnosed with LHON and 14 healthy controls (28 eyes) were enrolled. The retinal vessel densities in the parafoveal and peripapillary areas were measured with optical coherence tomography-angiography.

Comparison of the retinal vascular network and structure in patients with optic neuritis associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein or aquaporin-4 antibodies: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

Objective: To compare the retinal vascular network and structure of optic neuritis associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-ON) or aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-ON).

Methods: Nineteen patients with MOG-ON (29 eyes), 24 patients with AQP4-ON (43 eyes), and 25 healthy participants (50 eyes) were enrolled. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean deviation (MD), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, parafoveal ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, and vessel densities in the peripapillary and parafoveal areas were measured.

Alterations in the Retinal Vascular Network and Structure in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Optic Neuritis: A Longitudinal OCTA Study.

Purpose: To investigate the longitudinal microstructural and microvascular changes in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated optic neuritis (MOG-ON) without new attacks.

Methods: We included 20 eyes of 12 MOG-ON patients without new attacks during the follow-up and 24 eyes of 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Results: The BCVA, retinal vessels and structure were significantly lower in MOG-ON eyes than in healthy eyes(all < .

The δ subunit and NTPase HelD institute a two-pronged mechanism for RNA polymerase recycling.

Cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) can become trapped on DNA or RNA, threatening genome stability and limiting free enzyme pools, but how RNAP recycling into active states is achieved remains elusive. In Bacillus subtilis, the RNAP δ subunit and NTPase HelD have been implicated in RNAP recycling. We structurally analyzed Bacillus subtilis RNAP-δ-HelD complexes.

Alterations in the Retinal Vascular Network and Structure in MOG Antibody-Associated Disease: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Background: To determine retinal vessel density in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).

Methods: Twenty-five patients with MOGAD and 20 healthy participants were enrolled. Patients with MOGAD were divided into myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab)-positive eyes with a history of optic neuritis (ON; MOG-Ab-ON+ group) or without a history of ON (MOG-Ab-ON- group).

Structure-Based Mechanisms of a Molecular RNA Polymerase/Chaperone Machine Required for Ribosome Biosynthesis.

Bacterial ribosomal RNAs are synthesized by a dedicated, conserved transcription-elongation complex that transcribes at high rates, shields RNA polymerase from premature termination, and supports co-transcriptional RNA folding, modification, processing, and ribosomal subunit assembly by presently unknown mechanisms. We have determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of complete Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA transcription elongation complexes, comprising RNA polymerase; DNA; RNA bearing an N-utilization-site-like anti-termination element; Nus factors A, B, E, and G; inositol mono-phosphatase SuhB; and ribosomal protein S4. Our structures and structure-informed functional analyses show that fast transcription and anti-termination involve suppression of NusA-stabilized pausing, enhancement of NusG-mediated anti-backtracking, sequestration of the NusG C-terminal domain from termination factor ρ, and the ρ blockade.

Targeted next-generation sequencing extends the mutational spectrums for mutations in Chinese families with optic atrophy.

Purpose: We aim to reveal the disease-causing mutations in 15 Chinese families with optic atrophy (OA).

Methods: In total, 15 families with OA were recruited in the present study. Medical histories were carefully reviewed and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were received by all recruited patients.

Structural basis for the function of SuhB as a transcription factor in ribosomal RNA synthesis.

Ribosomal RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli involves a transcription complex, in which RNA polymerase is modified by a signal element on the transcript, Nus factors A, B, E and G, ribosomal protein S4 and inositol mono-phosphatase SuhB. This complex is resistant to ρ-dependent termination and facilitates ribosomal RNA folding, maturation and subunit assembly. The functional contributions of SuhB and their structural bases are presently unclear.

Structural Basis for the Action of an All-Purpose Transcription Anti-termination Factor.

Bacteriophage λN protein, a model anti-termination factor, binds nascent RNA and host Nus factors, rendering RNA polymerase resistant to all pause and termination signals. A 3.7-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure and structure-informed functional analyses reveal a multi-pronged strategy by which the intrinsically unstructured λN directly modifies RNA polymerase interactions with the nucleic acids and subverts essential functions of NusA, NusE, and NusG to reprogram the transcriptional apparatus.

Bacterial indicator reduction in dairy manure using hybrid zero-valent iron (h-ZVI) system.

Novel and efficient animal wastewater treatment technologies of bacteria reduction are needed for preventing disease outbreak in animal herds and safeguarding environmental health. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been used to treat bacteria contaminated water for the past decades, but its passivation issue has been a major challenge. In this study, batch tests were performed to evaluate the effect of a hybrid zero-valent iron (h-ZVI) or a mixed ZVI/FeO media system on reduction of Escherichia coli (E.

Kinetics and mechanism of selenite reduction by zero valent iron under anaerobic condition activated and enhanced by dissolved Fe(II).

Batch test was conducted to investigate Se(IV) removal kinetics and mechanism by zero valent iron (ZVI) in presence of Fe(II) under anaerobic condition. Dissolved Fe(II) activated and enhanced Se(IV) reduction by ZVI, which also determined the removal efficiency, reduction rate, final corrosion products and their structures. Se(IV) was completely removed at initial Fe(II)/Se(IV) ≥ 1.

A simple and novel method to enhance As (V) removal by zero valent iron and activated iron media through air injection at intervals.

A simple and novel method was developed at first time to enhance As (V) removal by zero valent iron (ZVI) and activated ZVI/FeO media (AIM) through air injection at intervals. Fe (II) was essential to trigger As (V) removal by ZVI and AIM, and magnetite did not improve As (V) removal. In presence of 0.

Peripapillary and parafoveal vascular network assessment by optical coherence tomography angiography in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Background/aims: Current understanding of the alterations in the retinal vascular network in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) is limited. We aim to assess the peripapillary and parafoveal vessel density in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD patients by optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

Methods: A total of 55 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD patients with or without a history of optic neuritis (ON) and 33 healthy controls underwent spectral domain OCT and OCT angiography.

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Optic Neuritis With Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Seropositive: A Cohort Study.

Background: The clinical characteristics of patients with pediatric optic neuritis with seropositive myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in Asia have not been reported.

Methods: Patients ≤18 years-old with acute-onset optic neuritis were enrolled. Serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and aquaporin-4 antibodies were detected and patients were followed for at least six months.

Synergistic co-regulation and competition by a SOX9-GLI-FOXA phasic transcriptional network coordinate chondrocyte differentiation transitions.

The growth plate mediates bone growth where SOX9 and GLI factors control chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation and entry into hypertrophy. FOXA factors regulate hypertrophic chondrocyte maturation. How these factors integrate into a Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) controlling these differentiation transitions is incompletely understood.

Cerebral cortical encephalitis followed by recurrent CNS demyelination in a patient with concomitant anti-MOG and anti-NMDA receptor antibodies.

We report the case of a patient who initially presented with fever, headache and seizure. MRI revealed a fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) high-intensity lesion involving the right temporal, parietal and occipital cortex. Afterwards, the patient developed three recurrent episodes, manifested as brainstem encephalitis, optic neuritis and ADEM-like illness successively, indicating demyelination.