RGA1 regulates grain size, rice quality and seed germination in the small and round grain mutant srg5.

BACKGROUND: Generating elite rice varieties with high yield and superior quality is the main goal of rice breeding programs. Key agronomic traits, including grain size and seed germination characteristics, affect the final yield and quality of rice. The RGA1 gene, which encodes the α-subunit of rice G-protein, plays an important role in regulating rice architecture, seed size and abiotic stress responses. However, whether RGA1 is involved in the regulation of rice quality and seed germination traits is still unclear. RESULTS: In this study, a rice mutant small and round grain 5 (srg5), was identified in an EMS-induced rice mutant library. Systematic analysis of its major agronomic traits revealed that the srg5 mutant exhibited a semi-dwarf plant height with small and round grain and reduced panicle length. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of rice showed that the difference in rice eating and cooking quality (ECQ) between the srg5 mutant and its wild-type control was small, but the appearance quality was significantly improved. Interestingly, a significant suppression of rice seed germination and shoot growth was observed in the srg5 mutant, which was mainly related to the regulation of ABA metabolism. RGA1 was identified as the candidate gene for the srg5 mutant by BSA analysis. A SNP at the splice site of the first intron disrupted the normal splicing of the RGA1 transcript precursor, resulting in a premature stop codon. Additional linkage analysis confirmed that the target gene causing the srg5 mutant phenotype was RGA1. Finally, the introduction of the RGA1 mutant allele into two indica rice varieties also resulted in small and round rice grains with less chalkiness. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that RGA1 is not only involved in the control of rice architecture and grain size, but also in the regulation of rice quality and seed germination. This study sheds new light on the biological functions of RGA1, thereby providing valuable information for future systematic analysis of the G-protein pathway and its potential application in rice breeding programs.

Gene editing of non-coding regulatory DNA and its application in crop improvement.

The development of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system has provided precise and efficient strategies to edit target genes and generate transgene-free crops. Significant progress has been made in the editing of protein-coding genes; however, studies on the editing of non-coding DNA with regulatory roles lags far behind. Non-coding regulatory DNAs, including those which can be transcribed into long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and miRNAs, together with cis-regulatory elements (CREs), play crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development. Therefore, the combination of CRISPR/Cas technology and non-coding regulatory DNA has great potential to generate novel alleles that affect various agronomic traits of crops, thus providing valuable genetic resources for crop breeding. Herein, we review recent advances in the roles of non-coding regulatory DNA, attempts to edit non-coding regulatory DNA for crop improvement, and potential application of novel editing tools in modulating non-coding regulatory DNA. Finally, the existing problems, possible solutions, and future applications of gene editing of non-coding regulatory DNA in modern crop breeding practice are also discussed.

[Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs to predict biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a cuproptosis-related lncRNA model and obtain some new ideas and methods for predicting the biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa. METHODS: We identified cuproptosis-related lncRNAs from the gene expression data, mutation load data and clinical data on PCa patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and divided the patients into a training group and a verification group. We constructed a prognostic risk scoring model based on the cuproptosis -related lncRNAs, verified the validity of the model by BCR-free survival analysis, logistic regression analysis and independent prognosis analysis, and visualized the results using ROC curve analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the correlation heat map. We performed differential analysis and survival analysis of the tumor mutation burden (TMB), and assessed the value of the model and TMB in predicting the BCR of PCa. RESULTS: A prognostic risk scoring model was successfully constructed based on the 6 cuproptosis -related lncRNAs identified from the PCa cases in the training group, which were divided into a high- and a low-risk groups according to the median value. The incidence of BCR rose with the increase of the risk score, and the BCR-free time was significantly shorter in the high-risk group (P < 0.05). The model also exhibited a high differentiation value in different age groups (P < 0.05), which was shown to be a reliable and independent prognostic indicator for predicting the BCR of PCa, even more valuable than other clinicopathological indicators. TMB was differentially expressed in the high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.01) and significantly correlated with BCR. The highest rate of BCR-free survival was found in the patients with low risk scores and low TMB (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A cuproptosis -related lncRNA model was successfully constructed, which can accurately predict the risk of BCR in PCa patients. The higher the prognostic risk score, the greater the possibility of BCR. TMB is high in patients with a high risk, and the TMB level has certain suggestive significance for BCR.

[Difference between prostate cancer patients' Gleason scores from preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consistency of the Gleason scores of PCa patients based on preoperative biopsy with those from postoperative pathology, identify the possible factors influencing results of scoring, and construct a risk scoring model. METHODS: We collected the demographic and clinical data on the patients with PCa confirmed by preoperative prostate biopsy or postoperative pathology and treated by radical prostatectomy within 6 months after diagnosis. Using paired sample t-test, we identified the difference between the Gleason scores based on preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology, analyzed the demographic and clinical data on the patients for relevant factors affecting the consistency of the Gleason scores, and calculated and visualized the relative risk values of the factors through Poisson regression. From the continuous variables with statistical significance, we screened independent risk factors for the difference in the Gleason scores by Lasso regression analysis, established a risk scoring model, generated risk coefficients, and evaluated the predictive ability of the model using the ROC curve. Based on the results of imaging examination with statistically significant differences, we constructed a column chart by logistic regression and evaluated the predictive validity of the chart using calibration curves, decision curves and ROC curves. RESULTS: The results of paired sample t-test for 210 PCa patients showed statistically significant differences between the Gleason scores from preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the body weight, BMI and PSA level as well as in all other factors but prostate calcification between the patients with consistent and those with inconsistent Gleason scores (all P < 0.05). An 8-factor prediction model was successfully constructed, which could predict the consistency of Gleason scores, with a better predicting performance than the single indicator within the model. The nomogram exhibited a C-index value of 0.85, with the calibration curve similar to the standard one, the threshold of the decision curve 0.10－0.92, and the area under the ROC curve higher than other predictive indicators. CONCLUSION: Based on the demographic and clinical data on PCa patients, a risk prediction model and a column chart were successfully constructed, which could effectively predict the difference between the Gleason scores from preoperative prostate biopsy and those from postoperative pathology.

[Clinical study of artificial intelligence-guided image fusion assisted transperineal prostate biopsy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion assisted transperineal systematic biopsy, targeted biopsy and combined biopsy in the diagnosis of PCa, and to evaluate the clinical application value of combined biopsy. METHODS: From April 2022, the general personal information and clinical data of patients with suspicious prostate lesions (PI-RADS≥3) detected by 3.0T mpMRI were collected, then underwent AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion-assisted transperineal prostate biopsy. The data included age, PSA level, PV, PSAD, PI-RADS score, Gleason score of biopsy tissue, etc. The mpMRI image data were imported into the real-time fusion imaging system before biopsy. After image fusion, the suspected PCa lesion was taken as the target, 2 to 3 cores of targeted biopsy were first performed, then 12 cores of systematic biopsy were continued. The results of targeted biopsy + systematic biopsy were defined as the results of combined biopsy. The detection rate of PCa, CsPCa and pathological Gleason score were compared among different biopsy methods, and the diagnostic efficacy in different PI-RADS score groups was further evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 118 PCa cases were detected in 220 patients enrolled in this study. The PCa detection rates of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 40.45% and 43.64%, the result reveals no statistical significance (P=0.562). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 53.64%, higher than single biopsy method and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The detection rates of CsPCa in systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 28.18% and 37.27% which reveals significant statistical difference (P=0.042). The CsPCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 41.82%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.003), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.330). In PI-RADS score 3 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 39.29% and 21.43%, which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.146). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 50%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.026), but was not compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.420). In PI-RADS 4 ~5 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 40.10%, and 46.88% which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.181). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 54.17%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.006), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.153). Among PCa patients detected by both systematic and targeted biopsy, 39 had concordant pathologic Gleason scores, 13 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for systematic biopsy, and 18 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for targeted biopsy. CONCLUSION: Compared with systematic biopsy, AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS image fusion assisted transperineal targeted prostate biopsy has a higher detection rate of CsPCa and is probably closer to the true pathological Gleason score. Compared with single biopsy, combined biopsy has higher diagnostic efficiency for PCa, which can be used as one of the options of prostate biopsy in clinical practice.

[Basement membrane-related gene signature to predict biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To construct and verify a key gene signature of the basement membrane of prostate cancer (PCa) to predict the progression and biochemical recurrence of the malignancy after radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Based on the PCa-related transcriptome, gene mutation and clinical data from the Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) database, we analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEG) related to the basement membrane in the PCa and adjacent normal prostate tissues, and subjected them to GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. We identified prognosis-related genes from the DEGs and analyzed their mutations. According to the follow-up data and biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy, we established a prognostic risk scoring model, verified its accuracy using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and performed survival analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), independent prognostic analysis and ROC curve analysis of the model. We constructed a protein-protein interaction network after verifying the correctness of the model by immunohistochemistry. We also established a nomogram and tested its accuracy using ROC and calibration curves. RESULTS: Totally, 85 DEGs were identified, among which 18 were up-regulated and 67 down-regulated. The prognostic risk scoring model was established with 11 of the genes. The risk of biochemical recurrence PCa was significantly higher in the high-risk than in the low-risk group (HR: 3.51, 95% CI: 2.32－5.32, P < 0.01), which was verified with the GEO database data (P < 0.01). In addition, the patients in the high-risk group were older with higher clinical T-stage, higher Gleason score, higher positive rate, larger numbers of positive lymph nodes, and a larger proportion of residual tumors than those in the low-risk group (P < 0.05). The nomogram constructed with the patients' age, pN, pT and cT stages, Gleason score and prognostic risk score manifested that the area under the ROC curve was higher than the other predictors. The calibration chart showed consistency of the predicted outcomes to the actual results. CONCLUSION: A prognostic risk scoring model of basement membrane-related genes and an effective nomogram were successfully constructed, which can predict the risk of biochemical recurrence in PCa patients after radical prostatectomy.

[Erectile function of renal failure patients after hemodialysis or kidney transplantation: A comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in the erectile function of the male patients with renal failure after hemodialysis (HD) or kidney transplantation (KT) and explore the causes of these changes. METHODS: From January 2015 to January 2021, 160 male patients with renal failure complaining of ED underwent HD (n = 80) or KT (n = 80) in the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command. The patients were aged 25－45 (31.7 ± 4.8) years, 32 ± 4.5 years in the HD group and 31.4 ± 5.1 years in the KT group. We recorded the levels of serum T, E2, FSH and LH and the scores on IIEF-5, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) of the patients, and compared them between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the patients in the HD group, those in the KT group showed a significantly higher T level (ï¼»7.45 ± 3.54ï¼½ vs ï¼»17.75 ± 7.32ï¼½ nmol/L, P < 0.01) and a lower E2 level (ï¼»151.37 ± 20.89ï¼½ vs ï¼»94.17 ± 40.79ï¼½ pmol/L, P < 0.01), but no statistically significant difference from the former group in the levels of FSH (ï¼»8.12 ± 5.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.97 ± 2.36ï¼½ IU/L, P > 0.05) and LH (ï¼»5.16 ± 3.87ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.69 ± 2.18ï¼½ IU/L, P > 0.05). There were fewer cases of severe ED in the KT than in the HD group (3.75% vs 16.25%, P < 0.05). Different degrees of anxiety and depression were observed in both groups, with fewer severe cases of anxiety (6.25% vs 30.00%, P < 0.05) and depression (6.25% vs 31.25%, P < 0.05) and more mild cases of anxiety (68.75% vs 47.50%, P < 0.05) and depression (70.00% vs 48.75%, P < 0.05) in the KT than in the HD group, but no statistically significant difference in the incidence of moderate anxiety (25.00% vs 22.50%, P > 0.05) and depression (23.75% vs 20.00%, P > 0.05) between the KT and HD groups. CONCLUSION: For male patients with renal failure, kidney transplantation can evidently improve erectile function, while hemodialysis has a poorer effect. The altered hormone levels, anxiety and depression of the patients are important causes of the changes in their erectile function.

Effect of Growth Temperature on the Characteristics of CsPbI3-Quantum Dots Doped Perovskite Film.

In this study, adding CsPbI3 quantum dots to organic perovskite methylamine lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) to form a doped perovskite film filmed by different temperatures was found to effectively reduce the formation of unsaturated metal Pb. Doping a small amount of CsPbI3 quantum dots could enhance thermal stability and improve surface defects. The electron mobility of the doped film was 2.5 times higher than the pristine film. This was a major breakthrough for inorganic quantum dot doped organic perovskite thin films.

Association between cranial asymmetry severity and chronic subdural hematoma laterality.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between cranial asymmetry severity and chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) laterality. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 120 patients with surgically treated unilateral CSDH from January 2009 to December 2018. Preoperative computed tomography images were used to determine occipital vault angles, bilateral cranium areas, and cranial index of symmetry (CIS) ratios. RESULTS: The male sex (70%) was the predominant factor promoting CSDH pathogenesis. In the overall study population (mean age, 71.3 years; left-sided CSDH, 58/120 [48%] patients; right-sided CSDH due to right-sided flat cranium, 38 patients; left-sided CSDH due to right-sided flat cranium, 37 patients). Flat cranial asymmetry was nonsignificantly associated with CSDH laterality (p-value=.689). However, most CSDH patients (86.7% of 120 patients) presented dominant-sided nonoverlapping areas on the left side. Thirteen (81.3%) patients presenting right-dominant nonoverlapping areas had right-sided CSDH, and 55 (52.9%) patients had left-dominant nonoverlapping area had left-sided CSDH (p-value=0.01). The CIS ratio was significantly higher in patients with right-dominant nonoverlapping areas than in those with left-dominant nonoverlapping areas (97.2% vs 95.9%, p-value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Left-sided hematoma predominance is not associated with a flat cranium and laterality of unilateral CSDH. Moreover, more asymmetric crania with lower CIS ratios may predict left-sided CSDHs, whereas the right-sided CSDHs may be more common in symmetric crania with higher CIS ratios. The CSDH laterality is potentially attributable to cranial asymmetry severity.

Acute hemiparesis. A rare presentation of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma mimicking acute stroke.

Acute hemiparesis is an extremely rare presentation of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma, which may be misdiagnosed as acute ischemic stroke and improperly treated with an intravenous thrombolytic agent. Here, we report a case of a 54-year-old woman who presented with acute neck pain and right-sided weakness. She was initially suspected of having ischemic stroke and therefore treated with an intravenous thrombolytic agent. However, she developed progressive tetraparesis, and subsequent magnetic resonance images confirmed cervical spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma.

Gastric perforation by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in an adult.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt operation is a common neurosurgical procedure applied for managing intracranial hydrocephalus. Migration of a distal catheter is an uncommon complication, and related gastric perforation is rarely reported. Herein, we report the case of gastric perforation in a patient with VP shunt who presented with fever. The distal catheter within the stomach was confirmed by preoperative computed tomographic scan of abdomen and gastric endoscopy. Surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotics management enabled patient recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and surgical intervention in this rare complication related to the shunt procedure.

Study on a New Ultraviolet Sterilizer to the Surface Disinfection of the Ultrasound Probe.

We studied the disinfection effect of a new ultraviolet (UV) sterilizer and its utilization on ultrasound probe surfaces. Carrier quantitative germicidal tests, simulated on-the-spot trials, and organic substance influence tests were used to carry out experimental observation. Artificially infected probes were disinfected using the sterilizer or a germicidal lamp for comparison. The total number and types of bacteria were determined and identified. Our results demonstrated the sterilizer had the best disinfection effect among three different disinfection methods in hospital. The sterilizer has been used in a hospital setting for 2 years with no notable damage to the ultrasound probe instrument. It has the advantages of fast disinfection, high disinfection effect, and good compatibility with the ultrasound instrument, worthy of being a promoted application in medical institutions.

Broad temperature range of cubic blue phase present in simple binary mixture systems containing rodlike Schiff base mesogens with tolane moiety.

Four simple rodlike Schiff base mesogens with tolane moiety were synthesized and applied to stabilize cubic blue phases (BPs) in simple binary mixture systems for the first time. When the chiral additive or was added into a chiral salicylaldimine-based compound, the temperature range of the cubic BP could be extended by more than 20 °C. However, when the chiral Schiff base mesogen was blended with chiral dopant possessing opposite handedness, , BPs could not be observed. Interestingly, the widest temperature range of the cubic BPs (∼35 °C) could be induced by adding the rodlike chiral dopant or into the rodlike racemic Schiff base mesogen with hydroxyl group. On the basis of our experimental results and molecular modeling, the appearance and temperature range of the BPs are affected by the dipole moment and the biaxiality of the molecular geometry. Accordingly, we demonstrated that the hydroxyl group and the methyl branch in this type of Schiff base mesogen play an important role in the stabilization of BPs.

Optimal gestational weight gain in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are believed to be associated with fetal conditions and maternal complications. The aim of this study was investigating the influence of maternal prepregnancy BMI and GWG on pregnancy outcomes and exploring the optimal GWG in Taiwanese singleton women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective records of 8146 singleton pregnant women between 2017 and 2019, obtained from a tertiary center in Taiwan were reviewed, and the associations between maternal prepregnancy BMI, GWG, and perinatal outcomes were analyzed. The patients were divided into five groups based on prepregnancy BMIs, defined by Taiwan Health Promotion Administration, as underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal-weight (18.5 ≤ BMI <24 kg/m2), overweight (24.0 ≤ BMI <27.0 kg/m2), mild obese (27.0 ≤ BMI <30 kg/m2) and moderate-to-severe obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2), and the lowest risks of different complications were summarized in each group. Also, using the Institute of Medicine and Japanese guidelines as reference, the Taiwanese recommendations for GWG were revised. RESULTS: The rate of cesarean section, hypertensive disorder, preeclampsia, preeclampsia with severe features, and preterm birth were higher in prepregnancy overweight and obese women than in normal-weight women (p < 0.05). In the Taiwanese population, the recommended GWG for underweight pregnant women is 11-15 kg, for normal-weight pregnant women, it is 9.4-13.5 kg, for overweight pregnant women, it is 7.9-11.4 kg, for mild obese pregnant women, it is 7.3-10 kg, and for moderate-to-severe obese pregnant women, it is 4.9-9 kg with lowest perinatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Unsatisfactory controlled prepregnancy weight (BMI ≥24) and inappropriate body weight gain during pregnancy can increase the risk of adverse pregnancy complications. Taiwanese GWG guidelines should be revised based on the characteristics and clinical data of the local population.

Bioinspired Quantum Oracle Circuits for Biomolecular Solutions of the Maximum Cut Problem.

Given an undirected, unweighted graph with n vertices and m edges, the maximum cut problem is to find a partition of the n vertices into disjoint subsets V1 and V2 such that the number of edges between them is as large as possible. Classically, it is an NP-complete problem, which has potential applications ranging from circuit layout design, statistical physics, computer vision, machine learning and network science to clustering. In this paper, we propose a biomolecular and a quantum algorithm to solve the maximum cut problem for any graph G. The quantum algorithm is inspired by the biomolecular algorithm and has a quadratic speedup over its classical counterparts, where the temporal and spatial complexities are reduced to, respectively, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. With respect to oracle-related quantum algorithms for NP-complete problems, we identify our algorithm as optimal. Furthermore, to justify the feasibility of the proposed algorithm, we successfully solve a typical maximum cut problem for a graph with three vertices and two edges by carrying out experiments on IBM's quantum simulator.

Local Renal Treatments for Acute Kidney Injury: A Review of Current Progress and Future Translational Opportunities.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) constitutes a significant public health concern, with limited therapeutic options to mitigate injury or expedite recovery. A novel therapeutic approach, local renal treatment, encompassing pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions, has exhibited positive outcomes in AKI management. Peri-renal administration, employing various delivery routes, such as the renal artery, intrarenal, and subcapsular sites, has demonstrated superiority over peripheral intravenous infusion. This review evaluates different drug delivery methods, analyzing their benefits and limitations, and proposes potential improvements. Renal decapsulation, particularly with the availability of minimally invasive techniques, emerges as an effective procedure warranting renewed consideration for AKI treatment. The potential synergistic effects of combined drug delivery and renal decapsulation could further advance AKI therapies. Clinical studies have already begun to leverage the benefits of local renal treatments, and with ongoing technological advancements, these modalities are expected to increasingly outperform systemic intravenous therapy.

Aging-Associated Thyroid Dysfunction Contributes to Oxidative Stress and Worsened Functional Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

The incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases dramatically with advanced age and accumulating evidence indicates that age is one of the important predictors of an unfavorable prognosis after brain trauma. Unfortunately, thus far, evidence-based effective therapeutics for geriatric TBI is limited. By using middle-aged animals, we first confirm that there is an age-related change in TBI susceptibility manifested by increased inflammatory events, neuronal death and impaired functional outcomes in motor and cognitive behaviors. Since thyroid hormones function as endogenous regulators of oxidative stress, we postulate that age-related thyroid dysfunction could be a crucial pathology in the increased TBI severity. By surgically removing the thyroid glands, which recapitulates the age-related increase in TBI-susceptible phenotypes, we provide direct evidence showing that endogenous thyroid hormone-dependent compensatory regulation of antioxidant events modulates individual TBI susceptibility, which is abolished in aged or thyroidectomized individuals. The antioxidant capacity of melatonin is well-known, and we found acute melatonin treatment but not liothyronine (T3) supplementation improved the TBI-susceptible phenotypes of oxidative stress, excitotoxic neuronal loss and promotes functional recovery in the aged individuals with thyroid dysfunction. Our study suggests that monitoring thyroid function and acute administration of melatonin could be feasible therapeutics in the management of geriatric-TBI in clinic.

Rational construction of graphitic carbon nitride composited Li-rich Mn-based oxide cathode materials toward high-performance Li-ion battery.

Li-rich Mn-based oxides (LRMOs) are considered as one of the most-promising cathode materials for next generation Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high energy density. Nevertheless, the intrinsic shortcomings, such as the low first coulomb efficiency, severe capacity/voltage fade, and poor rate performance seriously limit its commercial application in the future. In this work, we construct successfully g-C3N4 coating layer to modify Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 (LMNC) via a facile solution. The g-C3N4 layer can alleviate the side-reaction between electrolyte and LMNC materials, and improve electronic conduction of LMNC. In addition, the g-C3N4 layer can suppress the collapse of structure and improve cyclic stability of LMNC materials. Consequently, g-C3N4 (4 wt%)-coated LMNC sample shows the highest initial coulomb efficiency (78.5%), the highest capacity retention ratio (78.8%) and the slightest voltage decay (0.48 V) after 300 loops. Besides, it also can provide high reversible capacity of about 300 and 93 mAh g-1 at 0.1 and 10C, respectively. This work proposes a novel approach to achieve next-generation high-energy density cathode materials, and g-C3N4 (4 wt%)-coated LMNC shows an enormous potential as the cathode materials for next generation LIBs with excellent performance.

Computed tomography texture analysis combined with preoperative clinical factors serve as a predictor of early efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate a pre-therapeutic radiomics nomogram to accurately predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesion responses to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: This retrospective study from January 2012 to 2022 included 92 TACE-treated patients who underwent liver contrast-enhanced CT scan 7 days before treatment, having complete clinical information. We extracted quantitative texture parameters and clinical factors for the largest tumors on the baseline arterial and portal venous phase CT images. An adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-penalized logistic regression identified independent predictors of tumor activity after TACE. RESULTS: We fitted an adaptive LASSO regression model to narrow down the texture features and clinical risk factors of the tumor activity status. The selected texture features were used to construct radiomic scores (RadScore), which demonstrated superior performance in predicting tumor activity on both the training (area under the curve (AUC): 0.881, 95% CI: 0.799-0.963) and testing sets (AUC: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.726-1). A logistic regression-based nomogram was developed using RadScore and four selected clinical features. In the testing set, nomogram total points were significant predictors (P = 0.034), and the training set showed no departure from perfect fit (P = 0.833). Internal validation of the nomogram was obtained for the training (AUC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.837-0.984) and testing (AUC: 0.889, 95% CI: 0.746-1) sets. CONCLUSION: We propose a nomogram to predict the early response of HCC lesions to TACE treatment with high accuracy, which may serve as an additional criterion in multidisciplinary decision-making treatment.

Genes and Their Molecular Functions Determining Seed Structure, Components, and Quality of Rice.

With the improvement of people's living standards and rice trade worldwide, the demand for high-quality rice is increasing. Therefore, breeding high quality rice is critical to meet the market demand. However, progress in improving rice grain quality lags far behind that of rice yield. This might be because of the complexity of rice grain quality research, and the lack of consensus definition and evaluation standards for high quality rice. In general, the main components of rice grain quality are milling quality (MQ), appearance quality (AQ), eating and cooking quality (ECQ), and nutritional quality (NQ). Importantly, all these quality traits are determined directly or indirectly by the structure and composition of the rice seeds. Structurally, rice seeds mainly comprise the spikelet hull, seed coat, aleurone layer, embryo, and endosperm. Among them, the size of spikelet hull is the key determinant of rice grain size, which usually affects rice AQ, MQ, and ECQ. The endosperm, mainly composed of starch and protein, is the major edible part of the rice seed. Therefore, the content, constitution, and physicochemical properties of starch and protein are crucial for multiple rice grain quality traits. Moreover, the other substances, such as lipids, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals, included in different parts of the rice seed, also contribute significantly to rice grain quality, especially the NQ. Rice seed growth and development are precisely controlled by many genes; therefore, cloning and dissecting these quality-related genes will enhance our knowledge of rice grain quality and will assist with the breeding of high quality rice. This review focuses on summarizing the recent progress on cloning key genes and their functions in regulating rice seed structure and composition, and their corresponding contributions to rice grain quality. This information will facilitate and advance future high quality rice breeding programs.