A bisulfite-assisted and ligation-based qPCR amplification technology for locus-specific pseudouridine detection at base resolution.

Over 150 types of chemical modifications have been identified in RNA to date, with pseudouridine (Ψ) being one of the most prevalent modifications in RNA. Ψ plays vital roles in various biological processes, and precise, base-resolution detection methods are fundamental for deep analysis of its distribution and function. In this study, we introduced a novel base-resolution Ψ detection method named pseU-TRACE. pseU-TRACE relied on the fact that RNA containing Ψ underwent a base deletion after treatment of bisulfite (BS) during reverse transcription, which enabled efficient ligation of two probes complementary to the cDNA sequence on either side of the Ψ site and successful amplification in subsequent real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), thereby achieving selective and accurate Ψ detection. Our method accurately and sensitively detected several known Ψ sites in 28S, 18S, 5.8S, and even mRNA. Moreover, pseU-TRACE could be employed to measure the Ψ fraction in RNA and explore the Ψ metabolism of different pseudouridine synthases (PUSs), providing valuable insights into the function of Ψ. Overall, pseU-TRACE represents a reliable, time-efficient and sensitive Ψ detection method.

Immune cell senescence and exhaustion promote the occurrence of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastasis (LM) stands as a primary cause of mortality in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), posing a significant impediment to long-term survival benefits from targeted therapy and immunotherapy. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive investigation into how senescent and exhausted immune cells contribute to LM. METHODS: We gathered single-cell sequencing data from primary colorectal cancer (pCRC) and their corresponding matched LM tissues from 16 mCRC patients. In this study, we identified senescent and exhausted immune cells, performed enrichment analysis, cell communication, cell trajectory, and cell-based in vitro experiments to validate the results of single-cell multi-omics. This process allowed us to construct a regulatory network explaining the occurrence of LM. Finally, we utilized weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and 12 machine learning algorithms to create prognostic risk model. RESULTS: We identified senescent-like myeloid cells (SMCs) and exhausted T cells (TEXs) as the primary senescent and exhausted immune cells. Our findings indicate that SMCs and TEXs can potentially activate transcription factors downstream via ANGPTL4-SDC1/SDC4, this activation plays a role in regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) program and facilitates the development of LM, the results of cell-based in vitro experiments have provided confirmation of this conclusion. We also developed and validated a prognostic risk model composed of 12 machine learning algorithms. CONCLUSION: This study elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence of LM from various angles through single-cell multi-omics analysis in CRC. It also constructs a network illustrating the role of senescent or exhausted immune cells in regulating EMT.

Long-cycling and High-voltage Solid State Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Fluorinated and Crosslinked Polyether Electrolytes.

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs), constructed through the in situ fabrication of polymer electrolytes, are considered a critical strategy for the next-generation battery systems with high energy density and enhanced safety. However, the constrained oxidation stability of polymers, such as the extensively utilized polyethers, limits their applications in high-voltage batteries and further energy density improvements. Herein, an in situ fabricated fluorinated and crosslinked polyether-based gel polymer electrolyte, FGPE, is presented, exhibiting a high oxidation potential (5.1 V). The fluorinated polyether significantly improves compatibility with both lithium metal and high-voltage cathode, attributed to the electron-withdrawing -CF3 group and the generated LiF-rich electrolyte/electrode interphase. Consequently, the solid-state Li||LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries employing FGPE demonstrate exceptional cycling performances of 1000 cycles with 78 % retention, representing one of the best results ever reported for polymer electrolytes. Moreover, FGPE enables batteries to operate at 4.7 V, realizing the highest operating voltage of polyether-based batteries to date. Notably, our designed in situ FGPE provides the solid-state batteries with exceptional cycling stability even at practical conditions, including high cathode loading (21 mg cm-2) and industry-level 18650-type cylindrical cells (1.3 Ah, 500 cycles). This work provides critical insights into the development of oxidation-stable polymer electrolytes and the advancement of practical high-voltage LMBs.

Characterization of two novel hydrolases from Sphingopyxis sp. DBS4 for enantioselective degradation of chiral herbicide diclofop-methyl.

Diclofop-methyl, an aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) herbicide, is a chiral compound with two enantiomers. Microbial detoxification and degradation of various enantiomers is garnering immense research attention. However, enantioselective catabolism of diclofop-methyl has been rarely explored, especially at the molecular level. This study cloned two novel hydrolase genes (dcmA and dcmH) in Sphingopyxis sp. DBS4, and characterized them for diclofop-methyl degradation. DcmA, a member of the amidase superfamily, exhibits 26.1-45.9% identity with functional amidases. Conversely, DcmH corresponded to the DUF3089 domain-containing protein family (a family with unknown function), sharing no significant similarity with other biochemically characterized proteins. DcmA exhibited a broad spectrum of substrates, with preferential hydrolyzation of (R)-(+)-diclofop-methyl, (R)-(+)-quizalofop-ethyl, and (R)-(+)-haloxyfop-methyl. DcmH also preferred (R)-(+)-quizalofop-ethyl and (R)-(+)-haloxyfop-methyl degradation while displaying no apparent enantioselective activity towards diclofop-methyl. Using site-directed mutagenesis and molecular docking, it was determined that Ser175 was the fundamental residue influencing DcmA's activity against the two enantiomers of diclofop-methyl. For the degradation of AOPP herbicides, DcmA is an enantioselective amidase that has never been reported in research. This study provided novel hydrolyzing enzyme resources for the remediation of diclofop-methyl in the environment and deepened the understanding of enantioselective degradation of chiral AOPP herbicides mediated by microbes.

Nano-PROTACs: state of the art and perspectives.

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs), as a recently identified technique in the field of new drug development, provide new concepts for disease treatment and are expected to revolutionize drug discovery. With high specificity and flexibility, PROTACs serve as an innovative research tool to target and degrade disease-relevant proteins that are not currently pharmaceutically vulnerable to eliminating their functions by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system. To date, PROTACs still face the challenges of low solubility, poor permeability, off-target effects, and metabolic instability. The combination of nanotechnology and PROTACs has been explored to enhance the in vivo performance of PROTACs regarding overcoming these challenging hurdles. In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in the building-block design of PROTAC prodrug nanoparticles and provide an overview of existing/potential delivery systems and loading approaches for PROTAC drugs. Furthermore, we discuss the current status and prospects of the split-and-mix approach for PROTAC drug optimization. Additionally, the advantages and translational potentials of carrier-free nano-PROTACs and their combinational therapeutic effects are highlighted. This review aims to foster a deeper understanding of this rapidly evolving field and facilitate the progress of nano-PROTACs that will continue to push the boundaries of achieving selectivity and controlled release of PROTAC drugs.

Revealing the solid solution tendency of tungsten ions in phases of Ordinary Portland cement clinker: A study based on experiments and DFT calculations.

The collaborative utilization of solid waste through cement kiln represents a highly effective approach in the current era for harnessing solid waste resources. In this paper, density functional theory simulations is used to predict the substitution tendency of tungsten (W) in Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker. By employing experimental design, X-ray diffraction testing, and element distribution spectrum analysis, the doping preference of W ions in OPC clinker was comprehensively investigated. The findings demonstrate that a minor fraction of WO3 firstly infiltrates C4AF through the substitution of Fe atoms, whereas the majority of WO3 infiltrates C3S and C2S secondly by substituting Si atoms, with negligible infiltration observed in C3A finally. The substitution of Fe with W exhibits a lower formation energy compared to other ions, thereby indicating its preference for the formation of solid solutions in C4AF. This preference is primarily determined by the overlapping distribution of WO and FeO bond order-bond length and their similar electron contributions in spatial distribution. However, it should be noted that the newly formed WO bond has weaker strength than the FeO bond, which may explain the limited solubility of W in C4AF. The in-depth investigation of these fundamental issues is expected to offer an effective approach for enhancing solubility of W in OPC clinker through increasing content of C4AF and silicate minerals, thereby providing valuable guidance for synthesizing OPC clinker using W-bearing solid wastes.

Single-cell RNA-Seq Elucidates the Crosstalk Between Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The challenge of systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stems from the development of drug resistance, primarily driven by the interplay between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, there is a notable dearth of comprehensive research investigating the crosstalk between CSCs and stromal cells or immune cells within the TME of HCC. Methods: We procured single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data from 16 patients diagnosed with HCC. Employing meticulous data quality control and cell annotation procedures, we delineated distinct CSCs subtypes and performed multi-omics analyses encompassing metabolic activity, cell communication, and cell trajectory. These analyses shed light on the potential molecular mechanisms governing the interaction between CSCs and the TME, while also identifying CSCs' developmental genes. By combining these developmental genes, we employed machine learning algorithms and RT-qPCR to construct and validate a prognostic risk model for HCC. Results: We successfully identified CSCs subtypes residing within malignant cells. Through meticulous enrichment analysis and assessment of metabolic activity, we discovered anomalous metabolic patterns within the CSCs microenvironment, including hypoxia and glucose deprivation. Moreover, CSCs exhibited aberrant activity in signaling pathways associated with lipid metabolism. Furthermore, our investigations into cell communication unveiled that CSCs possess the capacity to modulate stromal cells and immune cells through the secretion of MIF or MDK, consequently exerting regulatory control over the TME. Finally, through cell trajectory analysis, we found developmental genes of CSCs. Leveraging these genes, we successfully developed and validated a prognostic risk model (APCS, ADH4, FTH1, and HSPB1) with machine learning and RT-qPCR. Conclusions: By means of single-cell multi-omics analysis, this study offers valuable insights into the potential molecular mechanisms governing the interaction between CSCs and the TME, elucidating the pivotal role CSCs play within the TME. Additionally, we have successfully established a comprehensive clinical prognostic model through bulk RNA-Seq data.

The dopamine receptor D1 inhibitor, SKF83566, suppresses GBM stemness and invasion through the DRD1-c-Myc-UHRF1 interactions.

BACKGROUND: Extensive local invasion of glioblastoma (GBM) cells within the central nervous system (CNS) is one factor that severely limits current treatments. The aim of this study was to uncover genes involved in the invasion process, which could also serve as therapeutic targets. For the isolation of invasive GBM cells from non-invasive cells, we used a three-dimensional organotypic co-culture system where glioma stem cell (GSC) spheres were confronted with brain organoids (BOs). Using ultra-low input RNA sequencing (ui-RNA Seq), an invasive gene signature was obtained that was exploited in a therapeutic context. METHODS: GFP-labeled tumor cells were sorted from invasive and non-invasive regions within co-cultures. Ui-RNA sequencing analysis was performed to find a gene cluster up-regulated in the invasive compartment. This gene cluster was further analyzed using the Connectivity MAP (CMap) database. This led to the identification of SKF83566, an antagonist of the D1 dopamine receptor (DRD1), as a candidate therapeutic molecule. Knockdown and overexpression experiments were performed to find molecular pathways responsible for the therapeutic effects of SKF83566. Finally, the effects of SKF83566 were validated in orthotopic xenograft models in vivo. RESULTS: Ui-RNA seq analysis of three GSC cell models (P3, BG5 and BG7) yielded a set of 27 differentially expressed genes between invasive and non-invasive cells. Using CMap analysis, SKF83566 was identified as a selective inhibitor targeting both DRD1 and DRD5. In vitro studies demonstrated that SKF83566 inhibited tumor cell proliferation, GSC sphere formation, and invasion. RNA sequencing analysis of SKF83566-treated P3, BG5, BG7, and control cell populations yielded a total of 32 differentially expressed genes, that were predicted to be regulated by c-Myc. Of these, the UHRF1 gene emerged as the most downregulated gene following treatment, and ChIP experiments revealed that c-Myc binds to its promoter region. Finally, SKF83566, or stable DRD1 knockdown, inhibited the growth of orthotopic GSC (BG5) derived xenografts in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: DRD1 contributes to GBM invasion and progression by regulating c-Myc entry into the nucleus that affects the transcription of the UHRF1 gene. SKF83566 inhibits the transmembrane protein DRD1, and as such represents a candidate small therapeutic molecule for GBMs.

Robot-assisted augmented reality surgical navigation based on optical tracking for mandibular reconstruction surgery.

PURPOSE: This work proposes a robot-assisted augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation system for mandibular reconstruction. The system accurately superimposes the preoperative osteotomy plan of the mandible and fibula into a real scene. It assists the doctor in osteotomy quickly and safely under the guidance of the robotic arm. METHODS: The proposed system mainly consists of two modules: the AR guidance module of the mandible and fibula and the robot navigation module. In the AR guidance module, we propose an AR calibration method based on the spatial registration of the image tracking marker to superimpose the virtual models of the mandible and fibula into the real scene. In the robot navigation module, the posture of the robotic arm is first calibrated under the tracking of the optical tracking system. The robotic arm can then be positioned at the planned osteotomy after the registration of the computed tomography image and the patient position. The combined guidance of AR and robotic arm can enhance the safety and precision of the surgery. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the proposed system was quantitatively assessed on cadavers. In the AR guidance module, osteotomies of the mandible and fibula achieved mean errors of 1.61 ± 0.62 and 1.08 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. The mean reconstruction error of the mandible was 1.36 ± 0.22 mm. In the AR-robot guidance module, the mean osteotomy errors of the mandible and fibula were 1.47 ± 0.46 and 0.98 ± 0.24 mm, respectively. The mean reconstruction error of the mandible was 1.20 ± 0.36 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The cadaveric experiments of 12 fibulas and six mandibles demonstrate the proposed system's effectiveness and potential clinical value in reconstructing the mandibular defect with a free fibular flap.

Application of a modified osteotomy and positioning integrative template system (MOPITS) based on a truncatable reconstruction model in the precise mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap: a pilot clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular defects can greatly affect patients' appearance and functionality. The preferred method to address this issue is reconstructive surgery using a fibular flap. The current personalized guide plate can improve the accuracy of osteotomy and reconstruction, but there are still some problems such as complex design process and time-consuming. Therefore, we modified the conventional template to serve the dual purpose of guiding the mandible and fibula osteotomy and facilitating the placement of the pre-bent titanium. METHODS: The surgery was simulated preoperatively using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technology. The template and truncatable reconstruction model were produced in the laboratory using 3D printing. After pre-bending the titanium plate according to the contour, the reconstruction model was truncated and the screw trajectory was transferred to form a modified osteotomy and positioning integrative template system (MOPITS). Next, the patient underwent a composite template-guided vascularized fibula flap reconstruction of the mandible. All cases were reviewed for the total operative time and accuracy of surgery. RESULTS: The procedures involved 2-4 fibular segments in 15 patients, averaging 3 fibular segments per procedure. The osteotomy error is 1.01 ± 1.02 mm, while the reconstruction angular error is 1.85 ± 1.69°. The preoperative and postoperative data were compared, and both p > 0.05. During the same operation, implant placement was performed on four patients, with an average operative time of 487.25 ± 60.84 min. The remaining malignant tumor patients had an average operative time of 397.18 ± 73.09 min. The average postoperative hospital stay was 12.95 ± 3.29 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of MOPITS in facilitating precise preoperative planning and intraoperative execution of fibula flap reconstruction. MOPITS represents a promising and reliable tool for reconstructive surgery, particularly for inexperienced surgeons navigating the challenges of mandible defect reconstruction.

Does proton pump inhibitors use increase risk of digestive tumors?: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study.

The objective of this study was to explore the causal relationship between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and 16 types of digestive system tumors. We utilized a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate this relationship. We obtained exposure and outcome data from the UK Biobank and the Finland Biobank, respectively. The genetic data used in the analysis were derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies conducted on European populations. We screened single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with the use of omeprazole, a commonly used PPIs, as instrumental variables. We then performed MR analyses using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method, MR-Egger regression, and the weighted median method to evaluate the causal effect of omeprazole use on the 16 types of digestive system tumors. Our MR analysis revealed a significant causal relationship between the use of omeprazole and pancreatic malignancies, but not with any other types of digestive system tumors. The IVW analysis showed an odds ratio of 4.33E-05 (95%CI: [4.87E-09, 0.38], P = .03) and the MR-Egger analysis showed an odds ratio of 5.81E-11 (95%CI: [2.82E-20, 0.12], P = .04). We found no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy, and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of our results. Furthermore, statistical power calculations suggested that our findings were reliable. Conclusion The use of PPIs is a protective factor for pancreatic malignancies, but no causal relationship has been found with other digestive system tumors.

Oxeiptosis core genes and their multi-omics analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Oxeiptosis is a recently discovered caspase-independent, non-inflammatory programmed cell death modality. Current studies suggest that oxeiptosis has crucial effects on biological processes in a variety of diseases. However, the mechanism of oxeiptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear and no relevant studies have been published. Therefore, this study is intended to investigate the mechanism and prognostic role of oxeiptosis-related genes in HCC. We explored the mechanisms and molecular phenotypes underlying the role of oxeiptosis in HCC through multi-omics analysis. Firstly, we obtained RNA-sequencing and clinical data from public database and divided the samples into trial and validation cohorts in subsequent analyses. We then screened oxeiptosis core genes (OCGs) and screened prognosis-related genes. Based on different molecular markers, we identified the molecular phenotypes of HCC, and the potential OCGs molecular mechanisms were explored. Subsequently, we construct a prognostic prediction system for HCC. Finally, we analyzed the tumor microenvironment and the immune escape phenomenon. We screened a total of 69 OCGs, most of which were prognostic risk factors for HCC. A majority of OCGs were enriched in cell cycle regulation and mitotic processes, which were related to both tumor cell proliferation and death. We identified 2 different molecular typing options with significant differences in prognosis, function, and signaling pathway enrichment between different molecular subtypes. The prognostic prediction model combined with molecular phenotypes and had a good predictive effect. Finally, we found CD4 + T-cell exhaustion in samples with specific molecular phenotypes. Through multi-omics analysis of OCGs, we not only revealed the possible molecular mechanisms of OCGs in HCC but also provided a prognostic prediction system for clinical application through molecular typing and risk scoring model. Meanwhile, we found immune escape mechanisms in HCC.

Rapid multi-task diagnosis of oral cancer leveraging fiber-optic Raman spectroscopy and deep learning algorithms.

Introduction: Oral cancer, a predominant malignancy in developing nations, represents a global health challenge with a five-year survival rate below 50%. Nonetheless, substantial reductions in both its incidence and mortality rates can be achieved through early detection and appropriate treatment. Crucial to these treatment plans and prognosis predictions is the identification of the pathological type of oral cancer. Methods: Toward this end, fiber-optic Raman spectroscopy emerges as an effective tool. This study combines Raman spectroscopy technology with deep learning algorithms to develop a portable intelligent prototype for oral case analysis. We propose, for the first time, a multi-task network (MTN) Raman spectroscopy classification model that utilizes a shared backbone network to simultaneously achieve different clinical staging and histological grading diagnoses. Results: The developed model demonstrated accuracy rates of 94.88%, 94.57%, and 94.34% for tumor staging, lymph node staging, and histological grading, respectively. Its sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compare closely with the gold standard: routine histopathological examination. Discussion: Thus, this prototype proposed in this study has great potential for rapid, non-invasive, and label-free pathological diagnosis of oral cancer.

Assessing the influence of energy transition on economic-social growth: the case of China.

In recent years, because of the one-sided interpretation of the nexus between the green & low-carbon energy transition and the high-quality economic-social growth, some over-idealized due-oriented judgments have led to failures in theories or deviations from practices. It is necessary and typical to select the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2020 to demonstrate that nexus, since China plays a different role in both climate change and global energy security. This paper defines and measures both the high-quality economic-social growth and the green & low-carbon energy transition efficiency. After analyzing the structure characteristics of energy transition, it also discusses the impact of the transition efficiency on the high-quality growth. The results indicate that the inflection point from quantitative to qualitative change in the regional high-quality growth has not yet arrived, while the developed regions and the developing regions are still grappling with pronounced problems of imbalance and insufficiency. As far as now, the energy transition efficiency in the energy resource centers is much higher than that in the energy load centers. The provinces with a characteristic of energy supply-demand equilibrium have seamlessly shifted from the Introduction stage of green & low-carbon development to the Growth stage. Both the decrease in energy intensity and the increase in renewable share are able to promote high-quality economic-social development obviously; however, the reduction of per capita carbon emission cannot yield the expected positive externality in a short run.

Macroscale Superlubricity of Hydrated Anions in the Boundary Lubrication Regime.

Cations can achieve excellent hydration lubrication at smooth interfaces under both microscale and macroscale conditions due to the boundary layer composed of hydration shells surrounding charges, but what about anions? Commonly used friction pairs are negatively charged at the solid/solution interface. Achieving anionic adsorption through constructing positively charged surfaces is a prerequisite for studying the hydration lubrication of anions. Here we report the hydration layer composed of anions adsorbed on the positively charged polymer/sapphire interface at acidic electrolyte solutions with pH below the isoelectric point, which contributes to the hydration lubrication of anions. Strongly hydrated anions (for the case of SO42-) exhibit stable superlubricity comparable to cations, with strikingly low boundary friction coefficient of 0.003-0.007 under contact pressures above 15 MPa without a running-in period. The hydration lubrication performance of anions is determined by both the ionic hydration strength and ion adsorption density based on the surface potential and tribological experiments. The results shed light on the role of anions in superlubricity and hydration lubrication, which may be relevant for understanding the lubrication mechanism and improving lubrication performance in acidic environments, for example, in acid pumps, sealing rings of compressors for handling acidic media, and processing devices of nuclear waste.

Giant calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor after I-125 seed implantation: A case report.

Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor (CEOT), also known as Pindborg tumor, is a rare odontogenic benign tumor. It was first reported by Thoma and Goldman in 1946 and defined as an independent tumor by Pindborg in 1957. Herein, we reported a CEOT case involving most of the mandible after I-125 implantation in a 53-year-old man. We cooperated with governmental and hospital departments to resect the tumors, reconstruct the mandible with a fibular flap graft, and properly dispose of the radioactive particles.

Exploring Exact Effects of Various Factors on Chloride Diffusion in Cracked Concrete: ABAQUS-Based Mesoscale Simulations.

Chloride ion attack is a major cause of concrete durability problems, and existing studies have rarely addressed the effects of damage zones. In this paper, an improved mesoscale model including five phases was constructed using the finite element software ABAQUS to study the diffusivity of chloride ions in cracked concrete. It was found that the damage zone is negligible when the crack width is less than 50 µm, while the width and depth of the damage zone are about 15 times the crack width and 15% of the crack depth when the crack is greater than 50 µm. The results show that the diffusion of chloride is greatly influenced by the crack width, while it is little-influenced by the crack shape. Low water-cement ratio and adequate hydration of the concrete are also key factors affecting chloride diffusion. In contrast, regular rounded aggregates have a positive effect on reducing chloride diffusion compared to irregularly shaped aggregates, and this effect becomes weaker with increasing service time. In addition, the protective layer can effectively prevent the diffusion of chloride in concrete. Therefore, when designing marine concrete, efforts should be made to ensure that the concrete has a low water-cement ratio, adequate hydration, less cracking and a protective layer.

The combined formulation of brassinolide and pyraclostrobin increases biomass and seed yield by improving photosynthetic capacity in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In the context of global food crisis, applying the phytohormone-brassinosteroids (BRs) in combination with the fungicide-pyraclostrobin (Pyr) was beneficial for plant quality and productivity in several field trials. However, in addition to the benefits of disease control due to the innate fungicidal activity of Pyr, it remains to be understood whether the coapplication of BL+ Pyr exerts additional growth-promoting effects. For this purpose, the effects of BL treatment, Pyr treatment, and BL+ Pyr treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana were compared. The results showed that the yield increased at a rate of 25.6% in the BL+Pyr group and 9.7% in the BL group, but no significant change was observed in the Pyr group. Furthermore, the BL+Pyr treatment increased the fresh weight of both the leaves and the inflorescences. In contrast, the Pyr and BL treatments only increased the fresh weight of leaves and inflorescences, respectively. Additionally, the BL + Pyr treatment increased the Pn, Gs, Tr, Vc, max, Jmax, VTPU, ETR, Fv'/Fm', ΦPSII, Rd, AYE and Rubisco enzyme activity by 26%, 38%, 40%, 16%, 19%, 15%, 9%, 10%, 17%, 179%, 18% and 32%, respectively. While, these paraments did not change significantly by the BL or Pyr treatments. Treatment with BL + Pyr and Pyr, rather than BL, improved the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents by upregulating genes related to chlorophyll biosynthesis and downregulating genes related to chlorophyll degradation. Additionally, according to transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, the BL+ Pyr treatment outperformed the individual BL or Pyr treatments in activating the transcription of genes involved in photosynthesis and increasing sugar accumulation. Our results first validated that the combined usage of BL and Pyr exerted striking synergistic effects on enhancing plant biomass and yield by increasing photosynthetic efficiency. These results might provide new understanding for the agricultural effects by the co-application of BL and Pyr, and it might stimulate the efforts to develop new environment-friendly replacement for Pyr to minimize the ecotoxicology of Pyr.

Transcriptome-wide identification of single-stranded RNA binding proteins.

RNA-protein interactions are precisely regulated by RNA secondary structures in various biological processes. Large-scale identification of proteins that interact with particular RNA structure is important to the RBPome. Herein, a kethoxal assisted single-stranded RNA interactome capture (KASRIC) strategy was developed to globally identify single-stranded RNA binding proteins (ssRBPs). This approach combines RNA secondary structure probing technology with the conventional method of RNA-binding proteins profiling, realizing the transcriptome-wide identification of ssRBPs. Applying KASRIC, we identified 3180 candidate RBPs and 244 candidate ssRBPs in HeLa cells. Importantly, the 244 candidate ssRBPs contained 55 previously reported ssRBPs and 189 novel ssRBPs. Function analysis of the candidate ssRBPs exhibited enrichment in cellular processes related to RNA splicing and RNA degradation. The KASRIC strategy will facilitate the investigation of RNA-protein interactions.

Enhanced Terahertz Fingerprint Sensing Mechanism Study of Tiny Molecules Based on Tunable Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons on Composite Periodic Groove Structures.

Highly sensitive detection of enhanced terahertz (THz) fingerprint absorption spectrum of trace-amount tiny molecules is essential for biosensing. THz surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors based on Otto prism-coupled attenuated total reflection (OPC-ATR) configuration have been recognized as a promising technology in biomedical detection applications. However, THz-SPR sensors based on the traditional OPC-ATR configuration have long been associated with low sensitivity, poor tunability, low refractive index resolution, large sample consumption, and lack of fingerprint analysis. Here, we propose an enhanced tunable high-sensitivity and trace-amount THz-SPR biosensor based on a composite periodic groove structure (CPGS). The elaborate geometric design of the spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) metasurface increases the number of electromagnetic hot spots on the surface of the CPGS, improves the near-field enhancement effect of SSPPs, and enhances the interaction between THz wave and the sample. The results show that the sensitivity (S), figure of merit (FOM) and Q-factor (Q) can be increased to 6.55 THz/RIU, 4234.06 1/RIU and 629.28, respectively, when the refractive index range of the sample to measure is between 1 and 1.05 with the resolution 1.54×10-5 RIU. Moreover, by making use of the high structural tunability of CPGS, the best sensitivity (SPR frequency shift) can be obtained when the resonant frequency of the metamaterial approaches the biological molecule oscillation. These advantages make CPGS a strong candidate for the high-sensitivity detection of trace-amount biochemical samples.