Dendritic morphology of developing hippocampal neurons in Cyp11a1 null mice.

INTRODUCTION: Neurosteroids have a variety of neurological functions, such as neurite growth, neuroprotection, myelination, and neurogenesis. P450scc, encoded by CYP11A1 gene, is the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate limiting step in the steroidogenesis. In this study, we examine the dendritic morphology in developing hippocampal neurons of Cyp11a1 null mice at P15, a critical period for synapse formation and maturation. METHODS: Knockout mice were maintained until P15 with hormone administration. The Golgi-Cox method stained CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus to reveal dendritic morphology. RESULTS: We demonstrated that Cyp11a1 null mice usually die within 7 days after birth and thus collected brain samples at postnatal day 5 (P5) for examination. There were significant shrinkage of dendrite size and diminishment of dendritic branching in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus of Cyp11a1 null mice, suggesting a developmental delay. We wonder if this delay may catch up later in life. Since the age of P15 is a critical period for synapse formation and maturation, the Cyp11a1 null mice were rescued by receiving hormone administration until P15 that the dendritic morphology in the developing hippocampal neurons could be examined. The results indicated that the total dendritic length, number of dendritic branches, as well as dendritic arborization in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons are significantly decreased in P15 knockout mice when compared to the wild type. The spine densities were also significantly decreased. In addition, the western blot analysis revealed decrease PSD-95 expression levels in the knockout mice compared to the wild type at P15. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that Cyp11a1 deficiency impairs the dendritic structures in the developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons.

CD87-targeted BiTE and CAR-T cells potently inhibit invasive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas.

Recently, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) and chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-Ts) have been shown to have high therapeutic efficacy in hematological tumors. CD87 is highly expressed in solid tumors with an oncogenic function. To assess their cytotoxic effects on invasive nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (iNFPAs), we first examined CD87 expression and its effects on the metabolism of iNFPA cells. We generated CD87-specific BiTE and CAR/IL-12 T cells, and their cytotoxic effects on iNFPAs cells and in mouse models were determined. CD87 had high expression in iNFPA tissue and cell samples but was undetected in noncancerous brain samples. CD87×CD3 BiTE and CD87 CAR/IL-12 T-cells showed antigenic specificity and exerted satisfactory cytotoxic effects, decreasing tumor cell proliferation in vitro and reducing existing tumors in experimental mice. Overall, the above findings suggest that CD87 is a promising target for the immunotherapeutic management of iNFPAs using anti-CD87 BiTE and CD87-specific CAR/IL-12 T cells.

Comparative Transcriptomics of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana Grown on Aerial Surface and in Liquid Environment.

Beauveria bassiana, the causative agent of arthropod, proliferates in the host hemolymph (liquid environment) and shits to saprotrophic growth on the host cadaver (aerial surface). In this study, we used transcriptomic analysis to compare the gene expression modes between these two growth phases. Of 10,366 total predicted genes in B. bassiana, 10,026 and 9985 genes were expressed in aerial (AM) and submerged (SM) mycelia, respectively, with 9853 genes overlapped. Comparative analysis between two transcriptomes indicated that there were 1041 up-regulated genes in AM library when compared with SM library, and 1995 genes were down-regulated, in particular, there were 7085 genes without significant change in expression between two transcriptomes. Furthermore, of 25 amidase genes (AMD), BbAMD5 has high expression level in both transcriptomes, and its protein product was associated with cell wall in aerial and submerged mycelia. Disruption of BbAMD5 significantly reduced mycelial hydrophobicity, hydrophobin translocation, and conidiation on aerial plate. Functional analysis also indicated that BbAmd5 was involved in B. bassiana blastospore formation in broth, but dispensable for fungal virulence. This study revealed the high similarity in global expression mode between mycelia grown under two cultivation conditions.

Processing Optimization for Halbach Array Magnetic Field-Assisted Magnetic Abrasive Particles Polishing of Titanium Alloy.

To extend the working life of products made of titanium alloy, it is necessary to improve the polishing method to diminish the remaining defects on the workpiece surface. The Halbach array-assisted magnetic abrasive particle polishing method for titanium alloy was employed in this work. The distribution of magnetic field strength was simulated and verified at first to learn the characteristics of the Halbach array used in this work. Then, the polishing performance of the polishing tool was studied by conducting the polishing test, which aimed to display the relationship between shear force and surface roughness with polishing time, and the surface morphology during polishing was also analyzed. Following the establishment of the response surface model, a study on the optimal polishing parameters was conducted to obtain the suitable parameters for maximum shear force and minimum surface roughness. The results show that the maximum shear force 6.11 N and minimum surface roughness Sa 88 nm can be attained, respectively, under the conditions of (1) polishing tool speed of 724.254 r·min-1, working gap of 0.5 mm, and abrasive particle size of 200 µm; and (2) polishing tool speed of 897.87 r·min-1, working gap of 0.52 mm, and abrasive particle size of 160 µm.

Dual-tracer PET/CT in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 11C-acetate (dual-tracer) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is being increasingly performed for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although its role is not well defined. Therefore, we evaluated its effectiveness in (i) staging, (ii) characterization of indeterminate lesions on conventional imaging, and (iii) detection of HCC in patients with unexplained elevations in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 525 consecutive patients from three tertiary centers between 2014 and 2020. For staging, we recorded new lesion detection rates, changes in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification, and treatment allocation due to dual-tracer PET/CT. To characterize indeterminate lesions and unexplained elevation of serum AFP levels, the sensitivity and specificity of dual-tracer PET/CT in diagnosing HCC were evaluated. A multidisciplinary external review and a cost-benefit analysis of patients for metastatic screening were also performed. Results: Dual-tracer PET/CT identified new lesions in 14.3% of 273 staging patients, resulting in BCLC upstaging in 11.7% and treatment modifications in 7.7%. It upstaged 8.1% of 260 patients undergoing metastatic screening, with estimated savings of US$495 per patient. It had a sensitivity and specificity of 80.7% (95% CI 71.2-88.6%) and 94.8% (95% CI 90.4-98.6%), respectively, for diagnosing HCC in 201 indeterminate lesions. It detected HCC in 45.1% of 51 patients with unexplained elevations in serum AFP concentrations. External review revealed substantial agreement between local and external image interpretation and patient assessment (n = 273, κ = 0.822; 95% CI 0.803-0.864). Conclusions: Dual-tracer PET/CT provides added value beyond conventional imaging in patients with HCC by improving staging, confirming HCC diagnosis with high accuracy in patients with indeterminate lesions, and detecting HCC in patients with unexplained elevation of serum AFP. Impact and implications: Compared to CT or MRI, dual-tracer positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) led to upstaging in 12% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing staging, resulting in treatment modification in 8% of cases and a cost saving of US$495 per patient. It also accurately detected HCC in high-risk cases where CT or MRI were equivocal or normal. Dual-tracer PET/CT provides added value beyond conventional imaging in patients with HCC by improving staging, confirming HCC diagnosis with high accuracy in patients with indeterminate lesions, and detecting HCC in patients with unexplained elevation of serum AFP.

Intracranial seeding of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor: a case report.

Background: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are predominantly benign, though a minority may exhibit invasive tendencies. A diagnosis of metastatic PitNETs, in the absence of malignant histology, hinges on the identification of craniospinal and/or systemic metastases. Only a minority of PitNETs exhibit intracranial seeding. Notably, craniotomy for PitNETs excision is a prominent catalyst for iatrogenic seeding. Case Description: This article presented a compelling case that 15 years following craniotomy for the resection of a somatotroph PitNET, a lesion emerged at the left frontal base within the ethmoid sinus. Subsequent post-operative pathology unveiled a mature plurihormonal pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (PIT-1)-lineage PitNET. Growth hormone (GH) levels decreased significantly from 22.8 ng/mL pre-operation to 2 ng/mL post-operative, and concurrently, prolactin (PRL) levels decreased from 26.7 ng/mL pre-operation to 4.5 ng/mL post-operation. Furthermore, in the follow-up examination conducted 5 months after the operation, both GH and PRL levels were found to be within the normal range for the patient. This robustly suggested that the initial surgical procedure played a key role in the development of the lesion. Conclusions: This underscores the paramount significance of strictly adhering to the non-tumor removal during craniotomy for PitNETs excision. Regardless of apparent complete resection on imaging, it remains imperative to conduct routine follow-up evaluations, encompassing both imaging studies and hormone level assessments.

Customizable polarization-selective narrowband meta-filters using a printable UV-curing nanocomposite.

Low-cost nanocomposite metasurfaces have demonstrated attractive potential to replace the equivalent dielectric metasurfaces for light engineering. However, the resonance characteristics of embedded structures in nanocomposite metasurfaces have not been further analyzed beyond the effective refractive index. Herein, we have proposed customizable polarization-selective narrowband meta-filters using ultraviolet-curable (UV) nanocomposites. As an additional degree of freedom, near-field effects between highly concentrated doped nanoparticles can enhance the Mie resonance of the low aspect ratio (AR = 0.2) meta-units. The surface lattice resonances (SLRs) of meta-filters can be coupled with enhanced Mie resonances of individual meta-units to realize tunable narrowband (FWHM ∼0.007λ) reflections with intensities near unity. Meanwhile, the polarization-selective properties of the reflection peaks can be tuned by optimizing the asymmetric lattice. Such proposed new-generation customizable meta-filters will offer, to our knowledge, novel strategies for filtering specific near-infrared polarized fluorescence in the integrated imaging systems.

Photoreactivation Activities of Rad5, Rad16A and Rad16B Help Beauveria bassiana to Recover from Solar Ultraviolet Damage.

In budding yeast, Rad5 and Rad7-Rad16 play respective roles in the error-free post-replication repair and nucleotide excision repair of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage; however, their homologs have not yet been studied in non-yeast fungi. In the fungus Beauveria bassiana, a deficiency in the Rad7 homolog, Rad5 ortholog and two Rad16 paralogs (Rad16A/B) instituted an ability to help the insect-pathogenic fungus to recover from solar UVB damage through photoreactivation. The fungal lifecycle-related phenotypes were not altered in the absence of rad5, rad16A or rad16B, while severe defects in growth and conidiation were caused by the double deletion of rad16A and rad16B. Compared with the wild-type and complemented strains, the mutants showed differentially reduced activities regarding the resilience of UVB-impaired conidia at 25 °C through a 12-h incubation in a regime of visible light plus dark (L/D 3:9 h or 5:7 h for photoreactivation) or of full darkness (dark reactivation) mimicking a natural nighttime. The estimates of the median lethal UVB dose LD50 from the dark and L/D treatments revealed greater activities of Rad5 and Rad16B than of Rad16A and additive activities of Rad16A and Rad16B in either NER-dependent dark reactivation or photorepair-dependent photoreactivation. However, their dark reactivation activities were limited to recovering low UVB dose-impaired conidia but were unable to recover conidia impaired by sublethal and lethal UVB doses as did their photoreactivation activities at L/D 3:9 or 5:7, unless the night/dark time was doubled or further prolonged. Therefore, the anti-UV effects of Rad5, Rad16A and Rad16B in B. bassiana depend primarily on photoreactivation and are mechanistically distinct from those for their yeast homologs.

Intramolecular exciplex featuring a bis-sp3 C-locked acceptor-donor-acceptor sandwich.

Intramolecular exciplex systems featuring thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) have garnered significant attention in the realm of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Nonetheless, the occurrence of organic sandwich intramolecular exciplexes remains rare due to structural limitations and synthetic challenges. Herein, we present a novel rigid acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) sandwich complex, dSFQP, characterized by two sp3 C-locking moieties. This compound exhibits TADF characteristics facilitated by a multiple through-space charge-transfer process. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirms the distinctive sandwich configuration. The parallel spatial arrangement and minimized A-D-A configuration enhance electronic interactions, resulting in a high photoluminescence quantum yield, rapid reverse intersystem crossing rate, and sluggish nonradiative decay rate. OLEDs employing dSFQP as the dopant achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 28.5% with a low efficiency roll-off of merely 2.8% at 1000 cd m-2. Even at a high brightness of 10 000 cd m-2, the EQE remains notably high at 17.5%. Our current results provide an effective way to further innovate the design of new organic charge-transfer complexes.

Adipocyte Progenitor Pools Composition and Cellular Niches Affect Adipogenesis Divergence in Porcine Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Fat.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) contributed positively to pork quality, whereas subcutaneous fat (SCF) was often considered to be a detrimental factor impacting growth and carcass traits. Reducing SCF while maintaining optimal IMF levels requires a thorough understanding of the adipogenic differences between these two adipose depots. Our study explored the differences in adipogenesis between porcine IMF and SCF, and the results showed that subcutaneous adipocytes (SCAs) demonstrate a greater potential for adipogenic differentiation, both in vivo and in vitro. Lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses suggested that intramuscular adipocytes (IMAs) are more inclined to biosynthesize unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to dissect the intrinsic and microenvironmental discrepancies in adipogenesis between porcine IMF and SCF. Comparative analysis indicated that SCF was enriched with preadipocytes, exhibiting an enhanced adipogenic potential, while IMF was characterized by a higher abundance of stem cells. Furthermore, coculture analyses of porcine intramuscular adipogenic cells and myogenetic cells indicated that the niche of IMAs inhibited its adipogenic differentiation. Cell communication analysis identified 160 ligand-receptor pairs and channels between adipogenic and myogenetic cells in IMF. Collectively, our study elucidated two intrinsic and microenvironmental novel mechanisms underpinning the divergence in adipogenesis between porcine SCF and IMF.

Two ferrous iron transporter-like proteins independently participate in asexual development under iron limitation and virulence in Beauveria bassiana.

Reductive assimilation pathway involves ferric reductase and ferrous iron transporter, which is integral for fungal iron acquisition. A family of ferric reductase-like proteins has been functionally characterized in the filamentous entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. In this investigation, two ferrous iron transporter-like proteins (Ftr) were functionally annotated in B. bassiana. BbFtr1 and BbFtr2 displayed high similarity in structure and were associated with the plasma and nuclear membrane. Their losses had no negatively influence on fungal growth on various nutrients and development under the iron-replete condition. Single mutants of BbFTR1 and BbFTR2 displayed the iron-availability dependent developmental defects, and double mutant exhibited the significantly impaired developmental potential under the iron-limited conditions. In insect bioassay, the double mutant also showed the weaker virulence than either of two single disruption mutants. These results suggested that two ferrous iron transporter-like proteins function independently in fungal physiologies under the iron-deficient condition. Intriguingly, a bZIP transcription factor BbHapX was required for expression of BbFTR1 and BbFTR2 under iron-depleted conditions. This study enhances our understanding of the iron uptake system in the filamentous entomopathogenic fungi.

Homeostatic measure of insulin resistance is associated with future asthma exacerbations: a 1-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent evidence suggests that insulin resistance affects asthma outcomes; however, the effect of the homeostatic measure of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) on airway inflammation and asthma exacerbations (AEs) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between HOMA-IR and clinical and inflammatory characteristics in patients with asthma, and the association between HOMA-IR and asthma exacerbations (AEs) in the following year. METHODS: A prospective cohort study recruited participants with asthma, who were classified into the HOMA-IRhigh group and HOMA-IRlow group based on the cutoff value of 3.80 for HOMA-IR and were observed within 12 months. We evaluated the clinical and inflammatory features, and a 1-year follow-up was conducted to study the exacerbations. A negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the association between HOMA-IR and AEs. RESULTS: Compared with the patients in the HOMA-IRlow group (n = 564), patients in the HOMA-IRhigh group (n = 61) had higher levels of BMI, higher waist circumference and waist/hip ratio, higher triglycerides, lower cholesterol high-density lipoproteins (HDL), more neutrophils in the peripheral blood, and elevated IL-5 levels in the induced sputum. Furthermore, patients in the HOMA-IRhigh group had a significantly increased risk for moderate-to-severe AEs (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) = 2.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.38, 3.70]), severe AEs (aIRR = 2.42, 95% CI = [1.26, 4.67]), hospitalization(aIRR = 2.54, 95% CI = [1.20, 5.38]), and emergency visits (aIRR = 3.04, 95% CI = [1.80, 8.53]). CONCLUSION: HOMA-IR was associated with asthma-related clinical features, and airway inflammation, as well as being an independent risk factor for future AEs. Therefore, insulin resistance may have important implications for managing asthma as a potential treatable trait.

Modulation of electronic structure of Ni3S2 via Fe and Mo co-doping to enhance the bifunctional electrocatalytic activities for HER and OER.

Heazlewoodite nickel sulfide (Ni3S2) is advocated as a promising nonnoble catalyst for electrochemical water splitting because of its unique structure configuration and high conductivity. However, the low active sites and strong sulfur-hydrogen bonds (S-Hads) formed on Ni3S2 surface greatly inhibit the desorption of Hads and reduce the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER and OER) activity. Doping is a valid strategy to stimulate the intrinsic catalytic activity of pristine Ni3S2 via modifying the active site. Herein, the Ni foam supported Fe and Mo co-doped Ni3S2 electrocatalysts (Fe-MoS2/Ni3S2@NF) have been constructed using Keplerate polyoxomolybdate {Mo72F30} as precursor through a facile hydrothermal process. Experimental results certificate that Fe and Mo co-doping can effectively tune the local electronic structure, facilitate the interfacial electron transfer, and improve the intrinsic activity. Consequently, the Fe-MoS2/Ni3S2@NF display more excellent HER and OER activity than MoS2/Ni3S2@NF and bare Ni3S2@NF by delivering the 10 and 50 mA cm-2 current densities at ultra-low overpotentials of 74/175 and 80/160 mV for HER and OER. Moreover, when coupled in an alkaline electrolyzer, Fe-MoS2/Ni3S2@NF approached the current of 10 mA cm-2 under a cell voltage of 1.60 V and exhibit excellent stability. The strategy to realize tunable catalytic behaviors via foreign metal doping provides a new avenue to optimize the water splitting catalysts.

Black rice diet alleviates colorectal cancer development through modulating tryptophan metabolism and activating AHR pathway.

Consumption of dietary fiber and anthocyanin has been linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study scrutinizes the potential antitumorigenic attributes of a black rice diet (BRD), abundantly rich in dietary fiber and anthocyanin. Our results demonstrate notable antitumorigenic effects in mice on BRD, indicated by a reduction in both the size and number of intestinal tumors and a consequent extension in life span, compared to control diet-fed counterparts. Furthermore, fecal transplants from BRD-fed mice to germ-free mice led to a decrease in colonic cell proliferation, coupled with maintained integrity of the intestinal barrier. The BRD was associated with significant shifts in gut microbiota composition, specifically an augmentation in probiotic strains Bacteroides uniformis and Lactobacillus. Noteworthy changes in gut metabolites were also documented, including the upregulation of indole-3-lactic acid and indole. These metabolites have been identified to stimulate the intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway, inhibiting CRC cell proliferation and colorectal tumorigenesis. In summary, these findings propose that a BRD may modulate the progression of intestinal tumors by fostering protective gut microbiota and metabolite profiles. The study accentuates the potential health advantages of whole-grain foods, emphasizing the potential utility of black rice in promoting health.

The Enhanced Photoluminescence Properties of Carbon Dots Derived from Glucose: The Effect of Natural Oxidation.

The investigation of the fluorescence mechanism of carbon dots (CDs) has attracted significant attention, particularly the role of the oxygen-containing groups. Dual-CDs exhibiting blue and green emissions are synthesized from glucose via a simple ultrasonic treatment, and the oxidation degree of the CDs is softly modified through a slow natural oxidation approach, which is in stark contrast to that aggressively altering CDs' surface configurations through chemical oxidation methods. It is interesting to find that the intensity of the blue fluorescence gradually increases, eventually becoming the dominant emission after prolonging the oxidation periods, with the quantum yield (QY) of the CDs being enhanced from ~0.61% to ~4.26%. Combining the microstructure characterizations, optical measurements, and ultrafiltration experiments, we hypothesize that the blue emission could be ascribed to the surface states induced by the C-O and C=O groups, while the green luminescence may originate from the deep energy levels associated with the O-C=O groups. The distinct emission states and energy distributions could result in the blue and the green luminescence exhibiting distinct excitation and emission behaviors. Our findings could provide new insights into the fluorescence mechanism of CDs.

[Response of radial growth of Pinus wallichiana to climate change in Mount Qomolangma, Tibet, China]. / è¥¿è—ç å³°åœ°åŒºä¹”æ¾å¾„å‘ç”Ÿé•¿å¯¹æ°”å€™å˜åŒ–çš„å“åº”.

Global warming would significantly impact tree growth in the Tibetan Plateau. However, the specific effects of climate change on the radial growth of Pinus wallichiana in Mount Qomolangma are still uncertain. To investigate the responses of radial growth of P. wallichiana to climate change, we analyzed tree-ring samples in Mount Qomolangma. We removed the age-related growth trends and established three chronologies by using the modified negative exponential curve, basal area index, and regional curve standardization, and conducted Pearson correlation and moving correlation analyses to examine the association between radial growth of P. wallichiana and climatic factors. The results showed that this region had experienced a significant upward trend in temperature and that the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) indicated a decreasing trend since 1980s, while the relative humi-dity changed from a significant upward to a downward trend around 2004, implying the climate shifted toward warmer and drier. Results of Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant and positive relationship between the radial growth of P. wallichiana and the minimum temperature of April-June and July-September, and precipitation of January-April in the current year. The radial growth of P. wallichiana was significantly and negatively associated with the relative humidity of June, July, and August in the current year. As temperature rose after 1983, the relationship between radial growth of P. wallichiana and the minimum temperature in July and September of the current year increased from a non-significant association to a significant and positive association, while the relationship between radial growth of P. wallichiana and relative humidity in August and precipitation in September of the current year changed from non-significant correlation to a significant and negative correlation. Results of the moving correlation analysis suggested that the radial growth of P. wallichiana showed a significant and stable correlation with the July-September minimum temperature of the current year. Under the background of climate warming, the rapid increases of temperature would accelerate the radial growth of P. wallichiana in Mount Qomolangma.

[Assessment of carbon reduction and sink enhancement potential of photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration model]. / å ‰ä¼+矿山生态修复模式的减碳增汇潜力评估.

The energy oriented mine ecological restoration mode of photovoltaic+ecological restoration provides a breakthrough for alleviating the dilemma of photovoltaic land development and solving the urgent need for restoration of abandoned mining land. Taking a mining area in central Liaoning Province as an example, we established three photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration modes, including forest-photovoltaic complementary, agriculture-photovoltaic, and grass photovoltaic complementation. Combined with the life cycle assessment method, we calculated and assessed the potential of photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration in carbon reduction and sink enhancement. The average annual carbon reduction and sink increase was 514.93 t CO2·hm-2 under the photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration mode, while the average annual carbon reduction per megawatt photovoltaic power station was 1242.94 t CO2. The adoption of photovoltaic+ecological restoration mode in this mining area could make carbon reduction and sink enhancement 6.30-7.79 Mt CO2 during 25 years. The carbon reduction and sink increment mainly stemmed from the photovoltaic clean power generation induced carbon reduction, accounting for 96.4%-99.4%, while the contribution of ecosystem carbon sink increment was small, accounting for only 0.6%-3.7% of the total. Among different photovoltaic+ecological restoration modes, the carbon reduction and sink increment was the largest in forest-photovoltaic complementary (7.11 Mt CO2), followed by agriculture-photovoltaic (7.04 Mt CO2), and the least in grass photovoltaic complementation (6.98 Mt CO2). Constructing the development mode of "photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration" could effectively leverage the dual benefits of reducing emissions from photovoltaic power generation and increase sinks from mining ecological restoration, which would be helpful for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in China.

Cla4A, a Novel Regulator of Gene Expression Networks Required for Asexual and Insect-Pathogenic Lifecycles of Beauveria bassiana.

Cla4, an orthologous p21-activated kinase crucial for non-entomopathogenic fungal lifestyles, has two paralogs (Cla4A/B) functionally unknown in hypocrealean entomopathogens. Here, we report a regulatory role of Cla4A in gene expression networks of Beauveria bassiana required for asexual and entomopathogenic lifecycles while Cla4B is functionally redundant. The deletion of cla4A resulted in severe growth defects, reduced stress tolerance, delayed conidiation, altered conidiation mode, impaired conidial quality, and abolished pathogenicity through cuticular penetration, contrasting with no phenotype affected by cla4B deletion. In ∆cla4A, 5288 dysregulated genes were associated with phenotypic defects, which were restored by targeted gene complementation. Among those, 3699 genes were downregulated, including more than 1300 abolished at the transcriptomic level. Hundreds of those downregulated genes were involved in the regulation of transcription, translation, and post-translational modifications and the organization and function of the nuclear chromosome, chromatin, and protein-DNA complex. DNA-binding elements in promoter regions of 130 dysregulated genes were predicted to be targeted by Cla4A domains. Samples of purified Cla4A extract were proven to bind promoter DNAs of 12 predicted genes involved in multiple stress-responsive pathways. Therefore, Cla4A acts as a novel regulator of genomic expression and stability and mediates gene expression networks required for insect-pathogenic fungal adaptations to the host and environment.

Realization of fractional quantum Hall state with interacting photons.

Fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states are known for their robust topological order and possess properties that are appealing for applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing. An engineered quantum platform would provide opportunities to operate FQH states without an external magnetic field and enhance local and coherent manipulation of these exotic states. We demonstrate a lattice version of photon FQH states using a programmable on-chip platform based on photon blockade and engineering gauge fields on a two-dimensional circuit quantum electrodynamics system. We observe the effective photon Lorentz force and butterfly spectrum in the artificial gauge field, a prerequisite for FQH states. After adiabatic assembly of Laughlin FQH wave function of 1/2 filling factor from localized photons, we observe strong density correlation and chiral topological flow among the FQH photons. We then verify the unique features of FQH states in response to external fields, including the incompressibility of generating quasiparticles and the smoking-gun signature of fractional quantum Hall conductivity. Our work illustrates a route to the creation and manipulation of novel strongly correlated topological quantum matter composed of photons and opens up possibilities for fault-tolerant quantum information devices.

Auxin signaling in the cambium promotes tissue adhesion and vascular formation during Arabidopsis graft healing.

The strong ability of plants to regenerate wounds is exemplified by grafting when two plants are cut and joined together to grow as one. During graft healing, tissues attach, cells proliferate, and the vasculatures connect to form a graft union. The plant hormone auxin plays a central role, and auxin-related mutants perturb grafting success. Here, we investigated the role of individual cell types and their response to auxin during Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) graft formation. By employing a cell-specific inducible misexpression system, we blocked auxin response in individual cell types using the bodenlos mutation. We found that auxin signaling in procambial tissues was critical for successful tissue attachment and vascular differentiation. In addition, we found that auxin signaling was required for cell divisions of the procambial cells during graft formation. Loss of function mutants in cambial pathways also perturbed attachment and phloem reconnection. We propose that cambial and procambial tissues drive tissue attachment and vascular differentiation during successful grafting. Our study thus refines our knowledge of graft development and furthers our understanding of the regenerative role of the cambium.