The CDPK-related protein kinase HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 interact with HvCML32 to negatively regulate drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

Calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) as one of calcium sensors were play important roles in stress responses. CDPK-related protein kinase (CRK) was identified as subgroup III of CDPK has been characterized in many plants, but the members and functions of CRK genes in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has not been clarified. Here, we identified four HvCRK genes and named HvCRK1-4 according to chromosomes localization. Moreover, the physiological function of highly induced genes of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 were investigated in drought stress tolerance by examining their overexpression transgenic lines functions generated in Arabidopsis thaliana. Under drought stress, both overexpression HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 displayed reduced drought resistance, and accompanied by higher accumulation levels of ROS. Notably, overexpression of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 reduced sensitivity to exogenous ABA, meanwhile the expression of ABA-responsive genes in transgenic plants were down-regulated compared to the wild type in response to drought stress. Furthermore, the physically interaction of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 with calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-like (CML) proteins were determined in vivo, the further results showed that HvCML32 binds to HvCRK2/4 S_TKC structural domains and negatively regulates drought tolerance. In summary, this study identified HvCRK members and indicated that HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 genes play negative roles in drought tolerance, and provide insight into potential molecular mechanism of HvCRK2 and HvCRK4 in response to drought stress.

Identification and functional analysis of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and metabolites response to mowing in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum hook. f.).

BACKGROUND: Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) is a significant cereal crop and a substantial source of forage for livestock. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and metabolites play crucial roles in the nutrient accumulation and regeneration of hulless barley plants following mowing. The study aimed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and metabolites in hulless barley plants by analyzing transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets at 2 h, 24 h, and 72 h following mowing. RESULTS: The study revealed that 190, 90, and 438 lncRNA genes were differentially expressed at the 2 h, 24 h, and 72 h time points compared to the non-mowing control. We identified 14 lncRNA genes-11 downregulated and 3 upregulated-showing consistently significant differential expression across all time points after mowing. These differentially expressed lncRNAs target genes involved in critical processes such as cytokinin signaling, cell wall degradation, storage protein accumulation, and biomass increase. In addition, we identified ten differentially expressed metabolites targeting diverse metabolic pathways, including plant hormones, alkaloids, and flavonoids, before and after mowing at various time points. Endogenous hormone analysis revealed that cytokinin most likely played a crucial role in the regeneration of hulless barley after mowing. CONCLUSIONS: This study created a comprehensive dataset of lncRNAs, metabolites, and hormones in hulless barley after mowing, revealing valuable insights into the functional characteristics of lncRNAs, metabolites, and hormones in regulating plant regeneration. The results indicated that cytokinin plays a significant role in facilitating the regeneration process of hulless barley after mowing. This comprehensive dataset is an invaluable resource for better understanding the complex mechanisms that underlie plant regeneration, with significant implications for crop improvement.

Investigating the regulatory role of HvANT2 in anthocyanin biosynthesis through protein-motif interaction in Qingke.

Background: Currently, there are no reports on the HvbHLH gene family in the recent barley genome (Morex_V3). Furthermore, the structural genes related to anthocyanin synthesis that interact with HvANT2 have yet to be fully identified. Methods: In this study, a bioinformatics approach was used to systematically analyze the HvbHLH gene family. The expression of this gene family was analyzed through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and the gene with the most significant expression level, HvANT2, was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in different tissues of two differently colored varieties. Finally, structural genes related to anthocyanin synthesis and their interactions with HvANT2 were verified using a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay. Results: The study identified 161 bHLH genes, designated as HvbHLH1 to HvbHLH161, from the most recent barley genome available. Evolutionary tree analysis categorized barley bHLH TFs into 21 subfamilies, demonstrating a pronounced similarity to rice and maize. Through RNA-Seq analysis of purple and white grain Qingke, we discovered a significant transcription factor (TF), HvANT2 (HvbHLH78), associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis. Subsequently, HvANT2 protein-motifs interaction assays revealed 41 interacting motifs, three of which were validated through Y1H experiments. These validated motifs were found in the promoter regions of key structural genes (CHI, F3'H, and GT) integral to the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. These findings provide substantial evidence for the pivotal role of HvANT2 TF in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Unveiling the mysteries of HvANS: a study on anthocyanin biosynthesis in qingke (hordeum vulgare L. var. Nudum hook. f.) seeds.

BACKGROUND: Based on our previous research, a full-length cDNA sequence of HvANS gene was isolated from purple and white Qingke. The open reading frame (ORF) in the purple variety Nierumuzha was 1320 base pairs (bp), encoding 439 amino acids, while the ORF in the white variety Kunlun 10 was 1197 bp, encoding 398 amino acids. A nonsynonymous mutation was found at the position of 1195 bp (T/C) in the coding sequence (CDS) of the HvANS gene. We carried out a series of studies to further clarify the relationship between the HvANS gene and anthocyanin synthesis in Qingke. RESULTS: The conservative structural domain prediction results showed that the encoded protein belonged to the PLN03178 superfamily. Multiple comparisons showed that this protein had the highest homology with Hordeum vulgare, at 88.61%. The approximately 2000 bp promoter sequence of the HvANS gene was identical in both varieties. The real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) results revealed that HvANS expression was either absent or very low in the roots, stems, leaves, and awns of Nierumuzha. In contrast, the HvANS expression was high in the seed coats and seeds of Nierumuzha. Likewise, in Kunlun 10, HvANS expression was either absent or very low, indicating a tissue-specific and variety-specific pattern for HvANS expression. The subcellular localization results indicated that HvANS was in the cell membrane. Metabolomic results indicated that the HvANS gene is closely related to the synthesis of three anthocyanin substances (Idaein chloride, Kinetin 9-riboside, and Cyanidin O-syringic acid). Yeast single hybridization experiments showed that the HvANS promoter interacted with HvANT1, which is the key anthocyanin regulatory protein. In a yeast two-hybrid experiment, we obtained two significantly different proteins (ZWY2020 and POMGNT2-like) and verified the results by qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a basis for further studies on the regulatory mechanism of HvANS in the synthesis of anthocyanins in Qingke purple grains.

Genome-wide identification of the CNGC gene family and negative regulation of drought tolerance by HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs), as non-selective cation channels, play essential roles in plant growth and stress responses. However, they have not been identified in Qingke (Hordeum vulgare L.). Here, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide identification and function analysis of the HvCNGC gene family to determine its role in drought tolerance. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 27 HvCNGC genes were divided into four groups and unevenly located on seven chromosomes. Transcription analysis revealed that two closely related members of HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 were highly induced and the expression of both genes were distinctly different in two extremely drought-tolerant materials. Transient expression revealed that the HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 proteins both localized to the plasma membrane and karyotheca. Overexpression of HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 in Arabidopsis thaliana led to impaired seed germination and seedling drought tolerance, which was accompanied by higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline accumulation and increased cell damage. In addition, HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16-overexpression lines reduced ABA sensitivity, as well as lower expression levels of some ABA biosynthesis and stress-related gene in transgenic lines. Furthermore, Yeast two hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays revealed that HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 interacted with calmodulin/calmodulin-like proteins (CaM/CML), which, as calcium sensors, participate in the perception and decoding of intracellular calcium signaling. Thus, this study provides information on the CNGC gene family and provides insight into the function and potential regulatory mechanism of HvCNGC3 and HvCNGC16 in drought tolerance in Qingke.

Bioinformatics, expression analysis, and functional verification of allene oxide synthase gene HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 in qingke.

Allene oxide synthase (AOS) is a key enzyme involved in the jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis pathway in plants. To explore its function on the regulatory mechanism of JA synthesis, we screened and identified two AOS genes HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 in qingke. Both HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 contained conserved heme-binding motif, which is most closely related to AtsAOS2, indicating controlled dehydration of fatty acid hydroperoxides to allene oxides. Molecular docking simulations identified the key amino acid sites that were important for heme binding and interaction with 13(S)-HPOT, respectively. The expression pattern also indicated that HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 were highly induced by JA, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid. Subcellular localization of HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 using transient expression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed the green fluorescent protein signal in the cell cytoplasm of the N. benthamiana leaves. Overexpression of HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 in Arabidopsis aos mutant restored male fertility and plant resistance to Botrytis cinerea, indicating that HvnAOS1 and HvnAOS2 can restore the functions of AOS in Arabidopsis aos mutant.

Decarbonylative borylation of aryl anhydrides via rhodium catalysis.

Decarbonylative borylation of aryl anhydrides by rhodium catalysis has been reported. A base-free system with Rh(PPh3)3Cl as a catalyst enables the efficient synthesis of various arylboronate esters from readily available aryl anhydrides. The reaction involves the cleavage of C(O)-O bonds and the formation of C-B bonds. The experimental results demonstrated that compared with carboxylic acids, amides, and esters, anhydrides have higher reactivity in the decarbonylative borylation reaction under the current conditions. Furthermore, compared with the reported palladium-catalyzed borylation reaction of aryl anhydrides, the present rhodium-catalyzed method has the advantages of a shorter reaction time and a lower reaction temperature.

Dishevelled Segment Polarity Protein 3: A Novel Prognosis-related Marker in Pan-driver-gene-negative Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential prognostic molecular marker in patients with "pan-driver-gene-negative" lung adenocarcinoma (PDGN-LUAD). LUAD patients who were negative for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, MET, ALK, RET and ROS1 were identified as PDGN-LUAD. Methods: In the screening phase, we profiled the mRNA expression levels in 52 paired PDGN-LUAD tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues using a genome-wide microarray, and the results revealed that the expression level of dishevelled segment polarity protein 3 (DVL3) was higher in PDGN-LUAD tumor tissues than in normal lung tissues. Then, we enrolled 626 PDGN-LUAD patients from three independent hospital centers and divided them into a training cohort, an internal validation cohort and two external validation cohorts. In the training cohort, tissue microarrays (TMAs) were used to confirm the protein expression level of DVL3. Statistical methods were applied to explore the prognostic role of DVL3. Results: The results indicated that the level of DVL3 could be used to classify patients with PDGN-LUAD in the training cohort into a high-risk group (high expression level of DVL3) and a low-risk group (low expression level of DVL3). In the training cohort, high-risk patients had shorter overall survival (OS) times (hazard ratio [HR] 2.27; 95% CI, 1.57-2.97; p<0.001) than low-risk patients. In the validation phase, the performance of DVL3 as a prognostic marker was successfully validated in the internal and external cohorts. Conclusions: In conclusion, DVL3 is an important prognostic indicator for PDGN-LUAD and may provide new insights into the treatment of PDGN-LUAD.

Can the China's environmental tax reform improve the enterprises sustainable environmental protection practice?-from the perspective of ISO14001 certification.

From the perspective of ISO14001 certification, we explored the impact of environmental protection tax on enterprises' long-term environmental practice decisions based on the differential-in-difference model. Our results show that environmental protection tax reform can promote enterprise ISO14001 certification behavior. This positive effect comes from increased enforcement intensity and compliance costs. When the external supervision and governance environment of enterprises is better (i.e., higher degree of marketization and media attention), the shock of environmental tax reform on enterprises' ISO14001 certification behavior is more significant. Heterogeneity analysis found that the promotion of environmental protection fees-to-tax conversion to ISO14001 certification behavior of enterprises is mainly reflected in non-state-owned key enterprises, small-scale enterprises, and high financing constraints enterprises. Economic consequences test shows that environmental tax policy can improve the green innovation of enterprises in the current and subsequent years, but it does not improve the financial performance in the short term. Our study provides supporting evidence to identify whether environmental tax is a long-term mechanism to promote voluntary environmental management by enterprises.

Under the different sectors: the relationship between low-carbon economic development, health and GDP.

Developing a modern low-carbon economy while protecting health is not only a current trend but also an urgent problem that needs to be solved. The growth of the national low-carbon economy is closely related to various sectors; however, it remains unclear how the development of low-carbon economies in these sectors impacts the national economy and the health of residents. Using panel data on carbon emissions and resident health in 28 province-level regions in China, this study employs unit root tests, co-integration tests, and regression analysis to empirically examine the relationship between carbon emissions, low-carbon economic development, health, and GDP in industry, construction, and transportation. The results show that: First, China's carbon emissions can promote economic development. Second, low-carbon economic development can enhance resident health while improving GDP. Third, low-carbon economic development has a significant positive effect on GDP and resident health in the industrial and transportation sector, but not in the construction sector, and the level of industrial development and carbon emission sources are significant factors contributing to the inconsistency. Our findings complement existing insights into the coupling effect of carbon emissions and economic development across sectors. They can assist policymakers in tailoring low-carbon policies to specific sectors, formulating strategies to optimize energy consumption structures, improving green technology levels, and aiding enterprises in gradually reducing carbon emissions without sacrificing economic benefits, thus achieving low-carbon economic development.

Cloning, subcellular localization and expression of phosphate transporter gene HvPT6 of hulless barley.

Deficiency of phosphate (Pi) is one of the main growth-limiting factors for crops. Generally, phosphate transporters play a key role in the uptake of P in the crops. However, current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism underlying Pi transport is still limited. In this study, a phosphate transporter (PT) gene, designated HvPT6, was isolated from a cDNA library constructed from hulless barley "Kunlun 14." The promoter of HvPT6 showed a large number of elements related to plant hormones. The expression pattern also indicated that HvPT6 was highly induced by low phosphorus, drought, abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate and gibberellin. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that HvPT6 belongs to the same subfamily of the major facilitator superfamily as OsPT6 from Oryza sativa. Subcellular localization of HvPT6:GFP using transient expression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed the green fluorescent protein signal in the membrane and nucleus of the Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Overexpressing HvPT6 led to a longer and higher lateral root length and dry matter yield in the transgenic Arabidopsis lines under low Pi conditions, indicating that HvPT6 improves plant tolerance under Pi-deficient conditions. This study will lay a molecular basis for phosphate absorption mechanism in barley and breeding barley with high-efficient phosphate uptake.

Genome-wide identification of WD40 transcription factors and their regulation of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex related to anthocyanin synthesis in Qingke (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.).

BACKGROUND: WD40 transcription factors, a large gene family in eukaryotes, are involved in a variety of growth regulation and development pathways. WD40 plays an important role in the formation of MYB-bHLH-WD (MBW) complexes associated with anthocyanin synthesis, but studies of Qingke barley are lacking. RESULTS: In this study, 164 barley HvWD40 genes were identified in the barley genome and were analyzed to determine their relevant bioinformatics. The 164 HvWD40 were classified into 11 clusters and 14 subfamilies based on their structural and phylogenetic protein profiles. Co-lineage analysis revealed that there were 43 pairs between barley and rice, and 56 pairs between barley and maize. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that the molecular function, biological process, and cell composition were enriched. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results showed that the RNA transport pathway was mainly enriched. Based on the identification and analysis of the barley WD40 family and the transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) results, we found that HvWD40-140 (WD40 family; Gene ID: r1G058730), HvANT1 (MYB family; Gene ID: HORVU7Hr1G034630), and HvANT2 (bHLH family; Gene ID: HORVU2Hr1G096810) were important components of the MBW complex related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in Qingke, which was verified via quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), subcellular location, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), and bimolecular fluorescent complimentary (BiFC) and dual-luciferase assay analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified 164 HvWD40 genes in barley and found that HvnANT1, HvnANT2, and HvWD40-140 can form an MBW complex and regulate the transcriptional activation of the anthocyanin synthesis related structural gene HvDFR. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further study of the mechanism of HvWD40-140 in the MBW complex related to anthocyanin synthesis in Qingke.

Identification of Essential Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells and Relevant Genes in Left-Sided and Right-Sided Colon Cancers.

BACKGROUNDS: Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. A right-sided colon cancer patient typically has a worse prognosis than one who has a left-sided colon cancer. There is an unclear understanding of how left-sided colon cancer differs from right-sided colon cancer in tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and relevant genes. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas provided RNA-seq data and clinical information regarding colon adenocarcinoma. We conducted a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to quantify the level of 24 immune cells infiltrating the tissues. Based on an analysis of univariate Cox regression, immune cell types associated with survival were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify hub genes related to location and critical immune cells. Based on the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING), interaction potential was predicted among the hub genes. Hub genes that influence outcomes through immune infiltration were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Then, we used the TISIDB database (a repository portal for tumor-immune system interactions) to validate the correlation between hub genes and immune cell infiltration. Finally, immunohistochemical assays were conducted to determine the levels of proteins expressed by critical TIICs and cancer cells. RESULTS: Colon cancers on the right side of the body had higher levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) than on the left side. There were three key genes: LCP1, ITGB2, and IKZF1. It was found that their expression was linked to poor prognosis and an increased level of MDSC infiltration. An immunohistochemical study confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher rate of MDSC infiltration in right-sided colon cancer when compared with left-sided colon cancer. COAD outcomes are associated with changes in MDSC infiltration, and therefore LCP1, ITGB2, and IKZF1 may be novel targets for immunotherapy.

Accumulation and regulation of anthocyanins in white and purple Tibetan Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) revealed by combined de novo transcriptomics and metabolomics.

BACKGROUND: Colored barley, which may have associated human health benefits, is more desirable than the standard white variety, but the metabolites and molecular mechanisms underlying seedcoat coloration remain unclear. RESULTS: Here, the development of Tibetan hulless barley was monitored, and 18 biological samples at 3 seedcoat color developmental stages were analyzed by transcriptomic and metabolic assays in Nierumuzha (purple) and Kunlun10 (white). A total of 41 anthocyanin compounds and 4186 DEGs were identified. Then we constructed the proanthocyanin-anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of Tibetan hulless barley, including 19 genes encoding structural enzymes in 12 classes (PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'H, DFR, ANS, ANR, GT, and ACT). 11 DEGs other than ANR were significantly upregulated in Nierumuzha as compared to Kunlun10, leading to high levels of 15 anthocyanin compounds in this variety (more than 25 times greater than the contents in Kunlun10). ANR was significantly upregulated in Kunlun10 as compared to Nierumuzha, resulting in higher contents of three anthocyanins compounds (more than 5 times greater than the contents in Nierumuzha). In addition, 22 TFs, including MYBs, bHLHs, NACs, bZips, and WD40s, were significantly positively or negatively correlated with the expression patterns of the structural genes. Moreover, comparisons of homologous gene sequences between the two varieties identified 61 putative SNPs in 13 of 19 structural genes. A nonsense mutation was identified in the coding sequence of the ANS gene in Kunlun10. This mutation might encode a nonfunctional protein, further reducing anthocyanin accumulation in Kunlun10. Then we identified 3 modules were highly specific to the Nierumuzha (purple) using WGCNA. Moreover, 12 DEGs appeared both in the putative proanthocyanin-anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and the protein co-expression network were obtained and verified. CONCLUSION: Our study constructed the proanthocyanin-anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of Tibetan hulless barley. A series of compounds, structural genes and TFs responsible for the differences between purple and white hulless barley were obtained in this pathway. Our study improves the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation and biosynthesis in barley seeds. It provides new targets for the genetic improvement of anthocyanin content and a framework for improving the nutritional quality of barley.

Fine-needle Aspiration Washout Precipitation Specimens: An Acceptable Supplement to Genetic Mutation Detection of Thyroid Nodules.

Objectives: Thyroid nodules are common in adults, but only some of them are malignant. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is widely applied as a reliable and minimally invasive technique for evaluating thyroid nodules. However, the scarcity of FNA biopsy specimens poses a challenge to molecular diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of FNA washout precipitation specimens as an effective supplement to the thyroid genetic test. Methods: A total of 115 patients with thyroid nodules were enrolled in our study. The BRAF V600E mutation status was detected in all FNA washout precipitation specimens and biopsy formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens using an amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR). All patients underwent cytological diagnoses; 79 patients also underwent surgery for histopathological analysis. Results: All the 115 samples were successfully analyzed using both FNA washout precipitation and biopsy FFPE specimens. The results showed that the BRAF V600E status detected in 96 FNA washout precipitation specimens were consistent with that in FNA biopsy FFPE specimens, including 41 BRAF V600E positive and 55 BRAF V600E negative, achieving a concordance rate of 84.4% (kappa = 0.689). Furthermore, the BRAF V600E mutation status using FNA washout precipitation specimens provided a 100.0% positive predictive value for diagnosing papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients with The Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC) V. Besides, the BRAF V600E mutation status was positive in 90.9% (10/11) FNA washout precipitation specimens from patients with capsule invasion, achieving a higher overall sensitivity of 100.0%, compared with 57.1% of FNA washout precipitation specimens from patients without capsule invasion. Conclusion: These results suggested that FNA washout precipitation specimens might be a valuable supplementary sample type for detecting the BRAF V600E mutation in patients with thyroid nodules, especially with thyroid capsule invasion.

A Myeloid Signature-Based Nomogram Predicts the Postoperative Recurrence of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common cancer in liver, with a high recurrence rate after surgery. Recently, we identified a CD11b-CD169-based myeloid response score (MRS), which showed remarkable prognostic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we aimed to verify the prognostic value of the MRS in iCCA and establish an MRS-based nomogram to predict the postoperative prognosis of iCCA patients. From April 2005 to March 2017, a total of 84 patients from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were enrolled. Preoperative clinical information and surgical specimens of enrolled patients were collected. Among these, tissues from 75 patients passed the clinical data quality control and the staining quality control. The protein expression of CD11b and CD169 in iCCA samples were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed that the MRS had a high discriminatory ability for predicting the time to recurrence (TTR) of iCCA patients after surgery. Three independent risk factors selected by a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, namely, the MRS, the tumor size and the status of vascular invasion, were included to construct a nomogram to predict the recurrence of iCCA after resection surgery. ROC curves, calibration analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) suggested that this nomogram had notable discriminatory power, stability and clinical usefulness in predicting the postoperative recurrence. Together, we explored the prognostic value of the MRS in iCCA, and constructed an MRS-based nomogram which may help to predict postoperative recurrence and aid clinical decisions for iCCA patients.

Synthesis and BK channel-opening activity of 2-amino-1,3-thiazole derivatives.

A series of 2-amino-5-arylmethyl- or 5-heteroarylmethyl-1,3-thiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for BK channel-opening activities in cell-based fluorescence assay and electrophysiological recording. The assay results indicated that the activities of the investigated compounds were influenced by the physicochemical properties of the substituent at benzene ring.

Cu2Se nanowires shelled with NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets for overall water-splitting.

It is imperative but challenging to develop non-noble metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Our work reports a core-shell nanostructure that is constructed by the electrodeposition of ultrathin NiFe-LDH nanosheets (NiFe-LDHNS) on Cu2Se nanowires, which are obtained by selenizing Cu(OH)2 nanowires in situ grown on Cu foam. The obtained Cu2Se@NiFe-LDHNS electrocatalyst provides more exposed edges and catalytic active sites, thus exhibiting excellent OER and HER electrocatalytic performance in alkaline electrolytes. This catalyst needs only an overpotential of 197 mV for OER at 50 mA cm-2 and 195 mV for HER at 10 mA cm-2. Besides, when employed as a bifunctional catalyst for overall water-splitting, it requires a cell voltage of 1.67 V to reach 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline media. Furthermore, the corresponding water electrolyzer demonstrates robust durability for at least 40 h. The excellent performance of Cu2Se@NiFe-LDHNS might be ascribed to the synergistic effect from the ultrathin NiFe-LDHNS, the Cu2Se nanowires anchored on the Cu foam, and the formed core-shell nanostructure, which offers large surface area, ample active sites, and sufficient channels for gas and electrolyte diffusion. This work provides an efficient strategy for the fabrication of self-supported electrocatalysts for efficient overall water-splitting.

Novel micron-thick brick cladding of polyfluorosilicone acrylates, a case study of conservation of historic brick wall in Hongcun village.

A micron-thick (3-5 µm) and transparent cladding technique based on the environment friendly dimethyl carbonate solution of newly developed polyfluorosilicone acrylates was successfully applied to restore the surface of brick walls of a historic house which has been severely eroded by damp and mildew for more than 300 years in Hongcun village, one of the World Heritage sites in China. The restoration followed the rule of repairing old as old before. The cladding made from the copolymerized polyfluorosilicone acrylate resin, which mainly contained the chain fragments of dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, permeated through the surface of old brick with an average depth of 14.5 mm in this case study, and provided an ultrathin and efficient covering of the microstructure of the shallow surface layer of old bricks and resulted excellent water-proof, moisture-proof, mildew-proof and long-lasting weather resistance effects. The water contact angle of the treated surface of the old bricks reached 133°, the water absorption of treated bricks was reduced from 16.1 wt% to 2.8 wt% after soaking in water for 24 h.