Tailoring the interfacial microenvironment of magnetic metal-organic frameworks using amino-acid-based ionic liquids for lipase immobilization.

Modifying the carrier interface is a promising method to improve the microenvironment of immobilized enzymes and enhance their activity and stability. In this work, using proline as amino acid, magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were modified with an amino-acid-based ionic liquid (AAIL) with two hydroxyl groups followed by adsorption of porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). The activity recovery of the prepared immobilized lipase (MMOF-AAIL/PPL) was up to 162 % higher than that of MMOF-PPL (70.8 %). The Michaelis constant of MMOF-AAIL/PPL was 0.0742 mM lower than that of MMOF-PPL, but the catalytic efficiency was 0.0223 min-1 which was higher than MMOF-PPL. Furthermore, MMOF-AAIL/PPL maintained 85.6 % residual activity after stored for 40 days and its residual activity was 71.9 % while that for MMOF-PPL was 58.8 % after incubated in 6 M urea for 2 h. Particularly, after ten consecutive cycles, the residual activity of MMOF-AAIL/PPL still reached 84.4 %. In addition, the magnetic properties of the support facilitate the separation process which improves the utilization efficiency of immobilized enzymes.

Calcium-based MOFs as scaffolds for shielding immobilized lipase and enhancing its stability.

The enzyme immobilization technology has become a key tool in the field of enzyme applications; however, improving the activity recovery and stability of the immobilized enzymes is still challenging. Herein, we employed a magnetic carboxymethyl cellulose (MCMC) nanocomposite modified with ionic liquids (ILs) for covalent immobilization of lipase, and used Ca-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the support skeleton and protective layer for immobilized enzymes. The ILs contained long side chains (eight CH2 units), which not only enhanced the hydrophobicity of the carrier and its hydrophobic interaction with the enzymes, but also provided a certain buffering effect when the enzyme molecules were subjected to compression. Compared to free lipase, the obtained CaBPDC@PPL-IL-MCMC exhibited higher specific activity and enhanced stability. In addition, the biocatalyst could be easily separated using a magnetic field, which is beneficial for its reusability. After 10 cycles, the residual activity of CaBPDC@PPL-IL-MCMC could reach up to 86.9%. These features highlight the good application prospects of the present immobilization method.

Exosomes Derived from Astragaloside IV-pretreated Endothelial Progenitor Cells (AS-IV-Exos) Alleviated Endothelial Oxidative Stress and Dysfunction Via the miR-210/ Nox2/ROS Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes induces oxidative stress, leading to damage to the vascular system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of AS-IV-Exos in alleviating endothelial oxidative stress and dysfunction caused by high glucose (HG). METHODS: Histopathological changes were observed using HE staining, and CD31 expression was assessed through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell proliferation was evaluated through CCK8 and EDU assays. The levels of ROS, SOD, and GSH-Px in the skin tissues of each group were measured using ELISA. Cell adhesion, migration, and tube formation abilities were assessed using adhesion, Transwell, and tube formation experiments. ROS levels in HUVEC cells were measured using flow cytometry. The levels of miR-210 and Nox2 were determined through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression of Nox2, SOD, GSH-Px, CD63, and CD81 was confirmed using WB. RESULTS: The level of miR-210 was reduced in diabetes-induced skin damage, while the levels of Nox2 and ROS increased. Treatment with AS-IV increased the level of miR-210 in EPC-Exos. Compared to Exos, AS-IV-Exos significantly reduced the proliferation rate, adhesion number, migration speed, and tube-forming ability of HGdamaged HUVEC cells. AS-IV-Exos also significantly decreased the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in HG-treated HUVEC cells and reduced the levels of Nox2 and GSH-Px. However, ROS levels and Nox2 could reverse this effect. CONCLUSION: AS-IV-Exos effectively alleviated endothelial oxidative stress and dysfunction induced by HG through the miR-210/Nox2/ROS pathway.

Effect and Mechanism of Sodium Butyrate on Neuronal Recovery and Prognosis in Diabetic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular lesion caused by local ischemia and hypoxia. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic inflammatory disease that disturbs immune homeostasis and predisposes patients to ischemic stroke. The mechanism by which DM exacerbates stroke remains unclear, although it may involve disturbances in immune homeostasis. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a regulatory role in many diseases, but the mechanism of Tregs in diabetes complicated by stroke remains unclear. Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that increases Treg levels. This study examined the role of sodium butyrate in the prognosis of neurological function in diabetic stroke and the mechanism by which Tregs are amplified in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres. We evaluated the brain infarct volume, observed 48-h neuronal injury and 28-day behavioral changes, and calculated the 28-day survival rate in mice. We also measured Treg levels in peripheral blood and brain tissue, recorded changes in the blood‒brain barrier and water channel proteins and neurotrophic changes in mice, measured cytokine levels and peripheral B-cell distribution in bilateral hemispheres and peripheral blood, and examined the polarization of microglia and the distribution of peripheral T-cell subpopulations in bilateral hemispheres. Diabetes significantly exacerbated the poor prognosis and neurological deficits in mice with stroke, and sodium butyrate significantly improved infarct volume, prognosis, and neurological function and showed different mechanisms in brain tissue and peripheral blood. The potential regulatory mechanism in brain tissue involved modulating Tregs/TGF-ß/microglia to suppress neuroinflammation, while that in peripheral blood involved improving the systemic inflammatory response through Tregs/TGF-ß/T cells.

177 Lu-DOTATATE Therapy: Effects of Water Intake and Drinking Duration on Patient Peripheral Dose Equivalent Rates.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the amount and duration of water consumption in neuroendocrine tumor patients after receiving 177 Lu-DOTATATE radionuclide therapy. We recruited 39 patients with neuroendocrine tumors, all of whom were treated with 177 Lu-DOTATATE radionuclide while in the nuclear medicine ward of a tertiary hospital in Nanjing from January 2021 to April 2022. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to investigate their drinking times, water consumption, and urine volumes at 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, 2 h, 24 h, and 48 h after radionuclide treatment. At each timepoint, their radiation dose equivalent rates were monitored at 0 m, 1 m, and 2 m from the middle abdomen. f at 24 h were significantly lower than those at 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 2 h (all p < 0.05). The dose equivalent rates at 48 h were significantly lower than those at 24 h (all p < 0.05). At 1 m or 2 m from the patient, the dose equivalent rate gradually decreased at all six timepoints and was significantly different between groups ( P < 0.05). To achieve lower radiation doses, there was a correlation with 24 h water consumption (P < 0.05) but no correlation with 48 h water consumption (P > 0.05); there were lower peripheral dose equivalents for patients when 24 h water consumption was no less than 2,750 mL. Patients with neuroendocrine tumors should drink at least 2,750 mL of water 24 h after treatment with 177 Lu-DOTATATE radionuclides. Drinking water in the first 24 h after treatment is more critical to reduce the peripheral dose equivalent, which can accelerate the reduction of peripheral radiation dose equivalent in early patients.

KDOAM-25 Overcomes Resistance to MEK Inhibitors by Targeting KDM5B in Uveal Melanoma.

Background: Uveal Melanoma (UM) is a potentially lethal cancer, and epigenetics may participate in the regulation of MEK resistance. This study is aimed at targeting the epigenetic kinase to overcome the resistance to MEK inhibitor. Method: We developed the 92.1 and OMM1 MEK-inhibitor resistant cell lines by culturing them in the trametinib (Tra) mixed medium. We utilized CCK8 analysis for detecting the viability of the cell. Western blot was used to determine the ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Small compound library screening assays were carried out by CCK8 analysis. To test the apoptosis, we employed flow cytometric analysis with Annexin-V/PI. Western blot and CCK8 were used to explore the epigenetic regulation of KDM5B in MEK-resistance cell lines. To knock out the expression level of KDM5B, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 by lentivirus delivering well-validated shRNAs in pLKO.1 vector. The directly binding affinity of KDOAM-25 to KDM5B was determined by drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and microscale thermophoresis (MST). Results: The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt (T308) was inhibited in OMM1 cell lines. However, inhibition of Tra was abolished in OMM1-R cell lines. From a compound screening assay, we identified that KDOAM-25 robustly inhibited the viability and colony formation of MEK-resistance cell lines. Furthermore, KDOAM-25 significantly promoted cell death in OMM1-R cells. H3K4me3 (tri-methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3) and H3K27ac (acetyl of lysine 27 on histone H3) were both upregulated in OMM1-R cells. Tra significantly inhibited the expression of KDM5B in OMM1-P cells. However, the effect on KDM5B was abolished in OMM1-R cells. Knockdown of KDM5B robustly suppressed the cell viability in OMM1-R cells. KDOAM-25 directly interacted with KDM5B. Conclusion: KDOAM-25 inhibited the viability and colony formation and promoted cell death of MEK-resistance cell lines through H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, indicating that KDOAM-25 may be a potential therapeutic agent for MEK resistance in UM patients.

Differential Degradation of TRA2A and PYCR2 Mediated by Ubiquitin E3 Ligase E4B.

E4B belongs to the U-box E3 ligase family and functions as either an E3 or an E4 enzyme in protein ubiquitination. Transformer2A (TRA2A) and Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 2 (PYCR2) are related to cancer development and are overexpressed in many cancer cells. The degradation of TRA2A and PYCR2 mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has not been reported. This study validated that E4B could ubiquitinate TRA2A and PYCR2 as an E3 ligase both in vitro and in the HEK293 cells. E4B mediated the degradation by forming K11- and K48- linked polyubiquitin chains on TRA2A and PYCR2, respectively. E4B regulated the alternative splicing function of TRA2A and affected RSRC2 transcription in the HEK293 cells. Although E4B is highly expressed, it hardly degrades TRA2A and PYCR2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, suggesting other mechanisms exist for degradation of TRA2A and PYCR2 in the HCC cells. We finally reported that E4B interacted with substrates via its variable region.

SFN Enhanced the Radiosensitivity of Cervical Cancer Cells via Activating LATS2 and Blocking Rad51/MDC1 Recruitment to DNA Damage Site.

BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane (SFN) is one kind of phytochemical anticancer drug. It inhibits cancer cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis while the mechanism behind is still uncertain. We aimed to explore its downstream target and the radiotherapy sensitization mechanism in cervical cancer. METHODS: We treated established cervical cancer cells line (SiHa, HeLa, C33A) with SFN followed by irradiation, and explored its survival, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair in vitro and validated the radiosensitivity of SFN treatment in vivo. We conducted mRNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed mRNAs after SFN treatment. We further investigated SFN downstream target and its involvement in DNA damage repair under irradiation. RESULTS: We found that SFN inhibited the survival of cervical cancer cells under radiotherapy treatment in vitro and prolonged the survival period after radiotherapy in the mouse tumorigenic model. SFN increased the protein expression of LATS2 and promoted apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Overexpressed LATS2 decreased the cellular survival rate of cervical cancer cells. Additionally, SFN treatment and LATS2 overexpression prevented MDC1 and Rad51 from accumulating in the nucleus in cervical cancer cells after being exposed to ionized radiation. LATS2 loss intervened with SFN-alleviated RAD51 and MDC1 nucleus accumulation and resumed the repairment of DNA damage. CONCLUSION: We identified SFN as cervical cancer cells radiotherapy sensitizer and LATS2 served as a downstream target of SFN treatment. SFN treatment resulted in the inhibition of the homologous recombination (HR) pathway, and LATS2 has an indispensable contribution to this SFN-facilitated radiotherapy sensitization.

Stellate ganglion block reduces inflammation and improves neurological function in diabetic rats during ischemic stroke.

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Both diabetes mellitus and stroke are linked to systemic inflammation that aggravates patient outcomes. Stellate ganglion block can effectively regulate the inflammatory response. Therefore, it is hypothesized that stellate ganglion block could be a potential therapy for ischemic stroke in diabetic subjects. In this study, we induced diabetes mellitus in rats by feeding them a high-fat diet for 4 successive weeks. The left middle cerebral artery was occluded to establish models of ischemic stroke in diabetic rats. Subsequently, we performed left stellate ganglion block with 1% lidocaine using the percutaneous posterior approach 15 minutes before reperfusion and again 20 and 44 hours after reperfusion. Our results showed that stellate ganglion block did not decrease the blood glucose level in diabetic rats with diabetes mellitus but did reduce the cerebral infarct volume and the cerebral water content. It also improved the recovery of neurological function, increased 28-day survival rate, inhibited Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway and reduced inflammatory response in the plasma of rats. However, injection of Toll like receptor 4 agonist lipopolysaccharide 5 minutes before stellate ganglion block inhibited the effect of stellate ganglion block, whereas injection of Toll like receptor 4 inhibitor TAK242 had no such effect. We also found that stellate ganglion block performed at night had no positive effect on diabetic ischemic stroke. These findings suggest that stellate ganglion block is a potential therapy for diabetic ischemic stroke and that it may be mediated through the Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. We also found that the therapeutic effect of stellate ganglion block is affected by circadian rhythm.

Torsion strained iridium oxide for efficient acidic water oxidation in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers.

Acidic oxygen evolution reaction is crucial for practical proton exchange membrane water splitting electrolysers, which have been hindered by the high catalytic overpotential and high loading of noble metal catalysts. Here we present a torsion-strained Ta0.1Tm0.1Ir0.8O2-δ nanocatalyst with numerous grain boundaries that exhibit a low overpotential of 198 mV at 10 mA cm-2 towards oxygen evolution reaction in 0.5 M H2SO4. Microstructural analyses, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the synergistic effects between grain boundaries that result in torsion-strained Ir-O bonds and the doping induced ligand effect collectively tune the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates, thus enhancing the catalytic activity. A proton exchange membrane electrolyser using a Ta0.1Tm0.1Ir0.8O2-δ nanocatalyst with a low mass loading of 0.2 mg cm-2 can operate stably at 1.5 A cm-2 for 500 hours with an estimated cost of US$1 per kilogram of H2, which is much lower than the target (US$2 per kg of H2) set by the US Department of Energy.

Dual Recognition DNA Triangular Prism Nanoprobe: Toward the Relationship between K+ and pH in Lysosomes.

Lysosomal acidification is essential for its degradative function, and the flux of H+ correlated with that of K+ in lysosomes. However, there is little research on their correlation due to the lack of probes that can simultaneously image these two ions. To deeply understand the role of K+ in lysosomal acidification, here, we designed and fabricated a nanodevice using a K+-aptamer and two pH-triggered nanoswitches incorporated into a DNA triangular prism (DTP) as a dual signal response platform to simultaneously visualize K+ and pH in lysosomes by a fluorescence method. This strategy could conveniently integrate two signal recognition modules into one probe, so as to achieve the goal of sensitive detection of two kinds of signals in the same time and space, which is suitable for the detection of various signals with the correlation of concentration. By co-imaging both K+ and H+ in lysosomes, we found that the efflux of K+ was accompanied by a decrease of pH, which is of great value in understanding lysosomal acidification. Moreover, this strategy also has broad prospects as a versatile optical sensing platform for multiplexed analysis of other biomolecules in living cells.

Characterization of HPV subtypes not covered by the nine-valent vaccine in patients with CIN 2-3 and cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As the second most common female malignant tumor, cervical cancer is also one of the most preventable and avoidable cancers. The World Health Organization has launched a global plan to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer. Therefore, in the era of postvaccine, the role of HPV subtypes in cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer that are not covered by vaccine should be further discussed. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of HPV subtypes not covered by the nine-valent vaccine in high-grade cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 5220 patients with an HPV infection who were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Gynecology of Shanghai General Hospital between October 2016 and February 2020. In addition, the clinical characteristics of the biopsy results of 470 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 and 205 cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS: Among patients with HPV subtype infection not covered by the nine-valent vaccine, univariate analysis showed that compared with patients with CIN 2-3, age ≥ 50, not using condom and TCT reported as ASC-H were risk factors for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.05). The detection rates of HPV subtype not covered by the nine-valent vaccine in CIN 2-3 and cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients were 7.23% and 6.34%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with CIN 2-3 and cervical squamous cell carcinoma, the infection rates of HPV subtype not covered by the nine-valent vaccine were 7.23% and 6.34%, respectively. With the increasing popularity of the vaccine, the infection rates of the corresponding HPV subtype decreased; however, HPV subtype infection not covered by the nine-valent vaccine should not be ignored.

Recent trends in premature mortality and health disparities attributable to ambient PM2.5 exposure in China: 2005-2017.

In the past decade, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) has reached unprecedented levels in China and posed a significant threat to public health. Exploring the long-term trajectory of the PM2.5 attributable health burden and corresponding disparities across populations in China yields insights for policymakers regarding the effectiveness of efforts to reduce air pollution exposure. Therefore, we examine how the magnitude and equity of the PM2.5-related public health burden has changed nationally, and between provinces, as economic growth and pollution levels varied during 2005-2017. We derive long-term PM2.5 exposures in China from satellite-based observations and chemical transport models, and estimate attributable premature mortality using the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM). We characterize national and interprovincial inequality in health outcomes using environmental Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients over the study period. PM2.5 exposure is linked to 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6, 2.0) million premature deaths over China in 2017, increasing by 31% from 2005. Approximately 70% of PM2.5 attributable deaths were caused by stroke and IHD (ischemic heart disease), though COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and LRI (lower respiratory infection) disproportionately affected poorer provinces. While most economic gains and PM2.5-related deaths were concentrated in a few provinces, both gains and deaths became more equitably distributed across provinces over time. As a nation, however, trends toward equality were more recent and less clear cut across causes of death. The rise in premature mortality is due primarily to population growth and baseline risks of stroke and IHD. This rising health burden could be alleviated through policies to prevent pollution, exposure, and disease. More targeted programs may be warranted for poorer provinces with a disproportionate share of PM2.5-related premature deaths due to COPD and LRI.

Target-Dependent Gating of Nanopores Integrated with H-Cell: Toward A General Platform for Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis.

Herein we present a proof-of-concept study of target-dependent gating of nanopores for general photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis in an H-cell. The model system was constructed upon a left chamber containing ascorbic acid (AA), the antibody modified porous anodic alumina (AAO) membrane separator, and a right chamber placed with the three-electrode system. The sandwich immunocomplexation and the associated enzymatic generation of biocatalytic precipitation (BCP) in the AAO nanopores would regulate the diffusion of AA from the left cell to the right cell, leading to a varied photocurrent response of the ZnInS nanoflakes photoelectrode. Exemplified by fatty-acid-banding protein (FABP) as the target, the as-developed protocol achieved good performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, as well as efficient reutilization of the working electrode. On the basis of an H-cell, this work features a new protocol of target-dependent gating-based PEC bioanalysis, which can serve as a general PEC analytical platform for various other targets of interest.

Establishing Interfacial Charge-Transfer Transitions on Ferroelectric Perovskites: An Efficient Route for Photoelectrochemical Bioanalysis.

This work presents the concept of establishing interfacial charge-transfer transitions (ICTT) on ferroelectric perovskites for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis. The model system was exemplified by using representative lead titanate (PbTiO3) and an enzyme tandem consisting of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH). The enzymatic generation of protocatechuic acid (PCA) can coordinate onto the surface of the PbTiO3 and hence form the ICTT that enables direct ligand-to-metal charge transfer from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of PCA to the conduction band (CB) of PbTiO3 under light irradiation. Due to the ferroelectric polarization induced electric field of PbTiO3 and the surface polarity of PCA modification, enhanced charge separation of the ICTT contributes to the generation of anodic photocurrent and thus underlies a unique route for detecting the enzymatic activity or its substrate. For dehydrogenase detection, this strategy has better performance than some classical methodologies in terms of high sensitivity and improved selectivity. This work not only features ICTT establishment on ferroelectric perovskites for unique bioanalysis but also provides new insights into the utilization of ferroelectric perovskites for advanced PEC bioanalysis.

Dopants fixation of Ruthenium for boosting acidic oxygen evolution stability and activity.

Designing highly durable and active electrocatalysts applied in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for the oxygen evolution reaction remains a grand challenge due to the high dissolution of catalysts in acidic electrolyte. Hindering formation of oxygen vacancies by tuning the electronic structure of catalysts to improve the durability and activity in acidic electrolyte was theoretically effective but rarely reported. Herein we demonstrated rationally tuning electronic structure of RuO2 with introducing W and Er, which significantly increased oxygen vacancy formation energy. The representative W0.2Er0.1Ru0.7O2-δ required a super-low overpotential of 168 mV (10 mA cm-2) accompanied with a record stability of 500 h in acidic electrolyte. More remarkably, it could operate steadily for 120 h (100 mA cm-2) in PEM device. Density functional theory calculations revealed co-doping of W and Er tuned electronic structure of RuO2 by charge redistribution, which significantly prohibited formation of soluble Rux>4 and lowered adsorption energies for oxygen intermediates.

Application of recombinase polymerase amplification method for rapid detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus.

Infectious laryngotracheitis is a significant respiratory disease of chickens that causes huge economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality and reduced egg production. A real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay was developed to accurately detect ILTV. The specific probe and primer sets were carefully designed and screened. The real-time RPA assay was carried out at 39 °C for 30 min, and results were obtained within 15 min. The results of the specificity assay showed no fluorescence signals with other avian-related viruses. The sensitivity of the assay was 1 × 102 copies/µL. The low CV value showed that the assay was reproducible. A total of 115 clinical samples were tested using the real-time RPA assay and the real-time PCR assay in parallel; the coincidence rates of the two detection methods were 100%. The results indicated that the real-time RPA assay is a specific, sensitive, rapid, and useful tool for epidemiological studies and clinical diagnosis, especially in the field and in resource-poor areas.

Ce-Doped IrO2 Electrocatalysts with Enhanced Performance for Water Oxidation in Acidic Media.

Electrocatalytic water splitting in acidic media based on a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) is a promising technique for the large-scale production of hydrogen. However, developing electrocatalysts with high activity and excellent stability for an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic media is still a big challenge. Herein, a Cex-IrO2 catalyst supported on N-doped porous carbon (NPC) was developed via doping Ce into IrO2 nanoparticles. The Cex-IrO2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on NPC due to the high surface area. The optimized Ce0.2-IrO2@NPC delivers a low overpotential of 224 mV and excellent stability of 100 h in 0.5 M H2SO4 at 10 mA cm-2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the introduction of Ce could modify the electronic structure of IrO2, decreasing the energy barrier of the rate-determining step for OER and enhancing the electrochemical OER performance. Our work opens up a new way of developing anodic electrocatalysts, which can be stably applied in acidic media.

Identification of lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in high-grade serous ovarian cancer metastasis.

Aim: To uncover a novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network associated with high-grade serous ovarian cancer metastasis. Material & methods: The candidate differentially expressed lncRNAs were obtained from RNA-sequencing data and determined by functional experiments. The downstream miRNAs and mRNAs were identified by bioinformatic prediction and subjected to functional enrichment analysis. Results: The expression levels of lncRNA ENTPD1-AS1/PRANCR/NR2F2-AS1 were reduced in omental metastatic tissues. Similar differential expression patterns of these lncRNAs were also found in lnCAR database and we verified their tumor suppressive roles by performing functional experiments. Furthermore, we predicted miRNAs and mRNAs via bioinformatic tools and validated their alteration in expression levels in presence of lncRNA interference. Conclusion: We proposed a potential ceRNA regulatory mechanism in high-grade serous ovarian cancer omental metastasis.

Spatio-temporal Index Based on Time Series of Leaf Area Index for Identifying Heavy Metal Stress in Rice under Complex Stressors.

Crops under various types of stresses, such as stress caused by heavy metals, drought and pest/disease exhibit similar changes in physiological-biochemical parameters (e.g., leaf area index [LAI] and chlorophyll). Thus, differentiating between heavy metal stress and nonheavy metal stress presents a great challenge. However, different stressors in crops do cause variations in spatiotemporal characteristics. This study aims to develop a spatiotemporal index based on LAI time series to identify heavy metal stress under complex stressors on a regional scale. The experimental area is located in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province. The situ measured data and Sentinel-2A images from 2017 and 2018 were collected. First, a series of LAI in rice growth stages was simulated based on the WOrld FOod STudies (WOFOST) model incorporated with Sentinel 2 images. Second, the local Moran's I and dynamic time warping (DTW) of LAI were calculated. Third, a stress index based on spatial and temporal features (SIST) was established to assess heavy metal stress levels according to the spatial autocorrelation and temporal dissimilarity of LAI. Results revealed the following: (1) The DTW of LAI is a good indicator for distinguishing stress levels. Specifically, rice subjected to high stress levels exhibits high DTW values. (2) Rice under heavy metal stress is well correlated with high-high SIST clusters. (3) Rice plants subjected to high pollution are observed in the northwest of the study regions and rice under low heavy metal stress is found in the south. The results suggest that SIST based on a sensitive indicator of rice biochemical impairment can be used to accurately detect regional heavy metal stress in rice. Combining spatial-temporal features and spectral information appears to be a highly promising method for discriminating heavy metal stress from complex stressors.