Protocol for the purification of the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase from transplastomic tobacco plants.

The plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) plays an essential role in the transcription of the chloroplast genome. Here, we present a strategy to purify the transcriptionally active protein complex from transplastomic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) lines in which one of the PEP core subunits is fused to an epitope tag. We describe experimental procedures for designing transformation constructs for PEP purification, selection, and analysis of transplastomic tobacco plants.

Efficient Gene Delivery Admitted by small Metabolites Specifically Targeting Astrocytes in the Mouse Brain.

The development of efficient and targeted methods for delivering DNA in vivo has long been a major focus of research. In this study, we introduce a gene Delivery approach Admitted by small Metabolites, named gDAM, for the efficient and targeted delivery of naked DNA into astrocytes in the adult brains of mice. gDAM utilizes a straightforward combination of DNA and small metabolites, including glycine, L-proline, L-serine, L-histidine, D-alanine, Gly-Gly, and Gly-Gly-Gly, to achieve astrocyte-specific delivery of naked DNA, resulting in transient and robust gene expression in these cells.

Possible linking and treatment between Parkinson's disease and inflammatory bowel disease: a study of Mendelian randomization based on gut-brain axis.

Background: Mounting evidence suggests that Parkinson's disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are closely associated and becoming global health burdens. However, the causal relationships and common pathogeneses between them are uncertain. Furthermore, they are uncurable.

Influence of buccal mucosa width/height ratio, emergence profile and buccal bone width on peri-implant tissues: a prospective one-year study.

Background: The stability of soft and hard tissues surrounding the implant is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also affects the long-term stability of the implant. The present study was to explore the influence of buccal mucosa width/height (W/H) ratio, emergence profile and buccal bone width on peri-implant soft and hard tissue changes in the posterior region.

Methods: Fifty-eight posterior implant restoration cases were recruited in this study.

Bayesian network for predicting mandibular third molar extraction difficulty.

Background: This study aimed to establish a model for predicting the difficulty of mandibular third molar extraction based on a Bayesian network to meet following requirements: (1) analyse the interaction of the primary risk factors; (2) output quantitative difficulty-evaluation results based on the patient's personal situation; and (3) identify key surgical points and propose surgical protocols to decrease complications.

Methods: Relevant articles were searched to identify risk factors. Clinical knowledge and experience were used to analyse the risk factors to establish the Bayesian network.

Health utility scores of six common cancers in China measured by SF-6Dv2.

Purpose: Given the recent update of SF-6Dv2, detailed data on utility scores for cancer patients by cancer type remain scarce in China and other regions, which limits the precision of cost-utility analyses (CUA) in cancer interventions. The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate utility scores of six common cancers in China measured using SF-6Dv2, and identify the potential factors associated with utility scores.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2022 to December 2023.

Targeting KRAS: from metabolic regulation to cancer treatment.

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) protein plays a key pathogenic role in oncogenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. Numerous studies have explored the role of metabolic alterations in KRAS-driven cancers, providing a scientific rationale for targeting metabolism in cancer treatment. The development of KRAS-specific inhibitors has also garnered considerable attention, partly due to the challenge of acquired treatment resistance.

Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric arterial stenosis associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting multiple systems. However, arterial stenosis is a rare manifestation in patients with NF1. Since the symptoms of arterial stenosis caused by NF1 are often atypical and have a high under-diagnosis rate, this can lead to serious complications such as hypertension, ischemic stroke, or even death.

Public awareness, attitudes, and motivation toward biobanks: a survey of China.

Background: Biobanks are vital for advancing medical research, and public participation is a crucial determinant of their success. This study uses a survey to assess the awareness, attitudes, and motivation of the public in China with regard to participating in biobanks.

Methods: We conducted an online survey that yielded 616 responses from participants with diverse demographic backgrounds.

Causal effects of retinol and vitamin D on tongue cancer risk: a mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous studies have indicated that retinol and vitamin D may be associated with the oncogenesis of tongue cancer. Therefore, we aimed to assess the causal relationships of retinol and vitamin D with the risk of tongue cancer using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method.

Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to retinol, vitamin D and tongue cancer were obtained from the up-to-date genome-wide association study (GWAS) catalogue, which was screened for instrumental variables (IVs).

A Native LH1-RC-HiPIP Supercomplex from an Extremophilic Phototroph.

Halorhodospira (Hlr.) halophila strain BN9622 is an extremely halophilic and alkaliphilic purple phototrophic bacterium and has been widely used as a model for exploring the osmoadaptive and photosynthetic strategies employed by phototrophic extreme halophiles that enable them to thrive in hypersaline environments. Here we present the cryo-EM structures of (1) a unique native Hlr.

Chinese herbal medicine recognition network based on knowledge distillation and cross-attention.

In order to reduce the number of parameters in the Chinese herbal medicine recognition model while maintaining accuracy, this paper takes 20 classes of Chinese herbs as the research object and proposes a recognition network based on knowledge distillation and cross-attention - ShuffleCANet (ShuffleNet and Cross-Attention). Firstly, transfer learning was used for experiments on 20 classic networks, and DenseNet and RegNet were selected as dual teacher models. Then, considering the parameter count and recognition accuracy, ShuffleNet was determined as the student model, and a new cross-attention mechanism was proposed.

The integration of optimizing train timetables with EMU route plans.

Generally, to address the resource management issues in high-speed railway operations, particularly in the context of large-scale networked high-speed train transportation organizations, a phased optimization approach is introduced. This approach divides the problem into two stages: the high-speed train timetabling and the planning of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) route. The lack of direct integration between these stages has hindered the flexible and efficient utilization of line capacity and EMU resources based on large-scale network, limiting the potential for mutual compensation and coordination among different types of resources across different regions.

Interpretable flash flood susceptibility mapping in Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin using H2O Auto-ML.

Flash flood susceptibility mapping is essential for identifying areas prone to flooding events and aiding decision-makers in formulating effective prevention measures. This study aims to evaluate the flash flood susceptibility in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin (YTRB) using multiple machine learning (ML) models facilitated by the H2O automated ML platform. The best-performing model was used to generate a flash flood susceptibility map, and its interpretability was analyzed using the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) tree interpretation method.

Efficient amine-assisted CO hydrogenation to methanol co-catalyzed by metallic and oxidized sites within ruthenium clusters.

Amine-assisted two-step CO hydrogenation is an efficient route for methanol production. To maximize the overall catalytic performance, both the N-formylation of amine with CO (i.e.

Study on the mechanical response characteristics of sandstone under elasticity plasticity and full path unloading after peak stress.

When underground tunnels in coal mines traverse geological structurally abnormal zones (faults, collapse columns, fractured zones, etc.), excavation-induced unloading leads to instability and failure of the engineering rock mass. Rock masses in fractured zones are in elastic, plastic, and post-peak stress states, and the process of excavation through these zones essentially involves unloading under full stress paths.

Chromosome-level genome assembly, annotation, and population genomic resource of argali (Ovis ammon).

Argali stands as the largest species among wild sheep in Central and East Asia, with a concerning rate of decline estimated at 30%. The intraspecific taxonomy of argali remains contentious due to limited genomic data and unclear geographic separation. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation for the Tibetan argali (O.

Inhibited peroxidase activity of peroxiredoxin 1 by palmitic acid exacerbates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in male mice.

Reactive oxygen species exacerbate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by oxidizing macromolecules; yet how they promote NASH remains poorly understood. Here, we show that peroxidase activity of global hepatic peroxiredoxin (PRDX) is significantly decreased in NASH, and palmitic acid (PA) binds to PRDX1 and inhibits its peroxidase activity. Using three genetic models, we demonstrate that hepatic PRDX1 protects against NASH in male mice.

Northern Scandinavian mountains supported by a low-grade eclogitic crustal keel.

Plate tectonics predicts that mountain ranges form by tectono-magmatic processes at plate boundaries, but high topography is often observed along passive margins far from any plate boundary. The high topography of the Scandes range at the Atlantic coast of Fennoscandia is traditionally assumed isostatically supported by variation in crustal density and thickness. Here we demonstrate, by our Silverroad seismic profile, that the constantly ~44 km thick crust instead is homogenous above the Moho, and Pn-velocity abruptly change from 7.

Rolling schedule design for the ESP rolling process based on NSGA-II-DE.

Multiple processes connected closely during the endless strip production (ESP) rolling, it is difficult to obtain the global optimal solution by multi-objective modelling of a single process, and the parameters to be optimized coupled with each other. To obtain the optimal solution, a multi-objective optimization model combining the power consumption, product quality, and loading balance was proposed for the design of an ESP rolling schedule. The thickness and heating temperature were simultaneously taken as the decision variables for coupling the temperature and loading in the rolling process, and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) based on differential evolution (NSGA-II-DE) was applied to obtain the Pareto solutions.