Design and Preliminary Ground Experiment for Deployable Sunshade Structures of a Modular Space Telescope.

On-orbit assembling space telescope (OAST) is one of the most feasible methods to implement a large-scale space telescope. Unlike a monolithic space telescope (such as Hubble Space Telescope, HST) or a deployable space telescope (such as James Webb Space Telescope, JWST), OAST can be assembled in the spatial environment. To ensure proper telescope performance, OAST must be equipped with a large deployable sunshade. In order to verify the technology of the OAST, the authors propose a modular space telescope on the China Space Station (CSS) and design a deployable sunshade. The deployable mechanism of the sunshade is made up of a radial deployable mechanism and an axial deployable mechanism. The paper describes the overall design approach, the key component technologies, and the design and preliminary testing of a part of the deployable sunshade assembly.

Repression of the SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 is associated with lowered double minutes and reduced tumor progression.

Double minutes (DMs), extrachromosomal gene fragments found within certain tumors, have been noted to carry onco- and drug resistance genes contributing to tumor pathogenesis and progression. After screening for SUMO-related molecule expression within various tumor sample and cell line databases, we found that SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 has been associated with genome instability and tumor cell DM counts, which was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Karyotyping determined DM counts post-UBC9 knockdown or SUMOylation inhibitor 2-D08, while RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure DM-carried gene expression in vitro. In vivo, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified micronucleus (MN) expulsion. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were then used to determine DNA damage extent, and a reporter plasmid system was constructed to detect changes in homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways. Our research has shown that UBC9 inhibition is able to attenuate DM formation and lower DM-carried gene expression, in turn reducing tumor growth and malignant phenotype, via MN efflux of DMs and lowering NHEJ activity to increase DNA damage. These findings thus reveal a relationship between heightened UBC9 activity, increased DM counts, and tumor progression, providing a potential approach for targeted therapies, via UBC9 inhibition.

Characterization of organic vapors by a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry at a mountain site in southeastern China.

Biogenic and anthropogenic organic vapors are crucial precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere. Here we conducted real-time measurements of gaseous organic compounds using a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (Vocus PTR-MS) at the Shanghuang mountain site (1128 m a.s.l.) in southeastern China during November 2022. Our results revealed a substantial impact of mixed biogenic and anthropogenic compounds at the mountain site, with oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) comprising 74 % of the organic vapors. Two distinct periods, characterized by sunny days (P1) and persistent cloud events (P2), were observed. P1 exhibited higher concentrations of biogenic-related emissions compared to P2. For instance, isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes during P1 were 2.4-2.9 times higher than those during P2. OVOCs such as acetaldehyde, MVK + MACR, acetone, and MEK also showed higher concentrations during P1, indicating a dominant source from the photochemical oxidation of biogenic VOCs. Anthropogenic-related VOCs like benzene and toluene had higher concentrations during P2, displaying different diurnal cycles compared to P1. Our analysis identified four biogenic-related factors dominated by isoprene and sesquiterpene oxidation products, and two anthropogenic-related factors. During P1, biogenic sources contributed approximately 80 % to total organic compounds, while during P2, anthropogenic sources, particularly the aromatic-related factor, increased from 16 % to 35 %. Furthermore, a unique factor characterized by C2 amines and C3 amides and periodic plumes indicated the influence of industrial emissions from regional transport. The study highlights the significant variations in sources and compositions of gaseous organic compounds at regional mountain sites due to changes in meteorology and photochemical processing, potentially impacting regional ozone and SOA formation.

Multi-omic analyses of m5C readers reveal their characteristics and immunotherapeutic proficiency.

5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a post-transcriptional RNA modification identified, m5C readers can specifically identify and bind to m5C. ALYREF and YBX1 as members of m5C readers that have garnered increasing attention in cancer research. However, comprehensive analysis of their molecular functions across pancancer are lacking. Using the TCGA and GTEx databases, we investigated the expression levels and prognostic values of ALYREF and YBX1. Additionally, we assessed the tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint-related genes, immunomodulators, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score and drug resistance of ALYREF and YBX1. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analyses were performed to investigate the potential functions associated with m5C readers and coexpressed genes. Aberrant expression of ALYREF and YBX1 was observed and positively associated with prognosis in KIRP, LGG and LIHC. Furthermore, the expression levels of ALYREF and YBX1 were significantly correlated with immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment and immune-related modulators. Last, our analysis revealed significant correlations between ALYREF, YBX1 and eIFs. Our study provides a substantial understanding of m5C readers and the intricate relationship between ALYREF, YBX1, eIFs, and mRNA dynamics. Through multidimensional analysis of immune infiltration and drug sensitivity/resistance in ALYREF and YBX1, we propose a possibility for combined modality therapy utilizing m5C readers.

Structure Engineered High Piezo-Photoelectronic Performance for Boosted Sono-Photodynamic Therapy.

Sono-photodynamic therapy is hindered by the limited tissue penetration depth of the external light source and the quick recombination of electron-hole owing to the random movement of charge carriers. In this study, orthorhombic ZnSnO3 quantum dots (QDs) with piezo-photoelectronic effects are successfully encapsulated in hexagonal upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) using a one-pot thermal decomposition method to form an all-in-one watermelon-like structured sono-photosensitizer (ZnSnO3 @UCNPs). The excited near-infrared light has high penetration depth, and the watermelon-like structure allows for full contact between the UCNPs and ZnSnO3 QDs, achieving ultrahigh Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency of up to 80.30%. Upon ultrasonic and near-infrared laser co-activation, the high temperature and pressure generated lead to the deformation of the UCNPs, thereby driving the deformation of all ZnSnO3 QDs inside the UCNPs, forming many small internal electric fields similar to isotropic electric domains. This piezoelectric effect not only increases the internal electric field intensity of the entire material but also prevents random movement and rapid recombination of charge carriers, thereby achieving satisfactory piezocatalytic performance. By combining the photodynamic effect arising from the energy transfer from UCNPs to ZnSnO3 , synergistic efficacy is realized. This study proposes a novel strategy for designing highly efficient sono-photosensitizers through structural design.

Severe photochemical pollution formation associated with strong HONO emissions from dew and guttation evaporation.

The unknown daytime source of HONO has been extensively investigated due to unexplained atmospheric oxidation capacity and current modelling bias, especially during cold seasons. In this study, abrupt morning increases in atmospheric HONO at a rural site in the North China Plain (NCP) were observed almost on daily basis, which were closely linked to simultaneous rises in atmospheric water vapor content and NH3 concentrations. Dew and guttation water formation was frequently observed on wheat leaves, from which water samples were taken and chemically analyzed for the first time. Results confirmed that such natural processes likely governed the daily nighttime deposition and daytime release of HONO and NH3, which have not been considered in the numerous HONO budget studies investigating its large missing daytime source in the NCP. The dissolved HONO and NH3 in leaf surface water droplets reached 1.4 and 23 mg L-1 during the morning on average, resulting in averaged atmospheric HONO and NH3 increases of 0.89 ± 0.61 and 43.7 ± 29.3 ppb during morning hours, with relative increases of 186 ± 212 % and 233 ± 252 %, respectively. The high atmospheric oxidation capacity contained within HONO was stored in near surface liquid water (such as dew, guttation and soil surface water) during nighttime, which prevented its atmospheric dispersion after sunset and protected it from photodissociation during early morning hours. HONO was released in a blast during later hours with stronger solar radiation, which triggered and then accelerated daytime photochemistry through the rapid photolysis of HONO and subsequent OH production, especially under high RH conditions, forming severe secondary gaseous and particulate pollution. Results of this study demonstrate that global ecosystems might play significant roles in atmospheric photochemistry through nighttime dew formation and guttation processes.

Weighted gene coexpression network analysis reveals negative regulation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by carboxylesterase 1 and cathepsin C.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary cardiomyopathy characterized by hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. It is one of the leading causes of sudden death in adolescents. However, the molecular mechanism of HCM is not clear. In our study, ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence data of myocardial tissue in HCM patients were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE130036) and analyzed by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of 31 coexpression modules were identified. The coexpression black module significantly correlated with maximum left ventricular wall thickness (Maxi LVWT). We screened the differentially expressed mRNAs between normal tissues and HCM tissues using the dplyr and tidyr packages in R3.6.2. The genes in the black module and differentially expressed genes were further intersected. We found that the expression of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) and cathepsin C (CTSC) was downregulated in HCM tissues and negatively correlated with Maxi LVWT. We further verified the expression of CES1 and CTSC was downregulated in HCM clinical blood and negatively correlated with Maxi LVWT. Finally, we demonstrated that overexpression of CTSC and CES1 could alleviate HCM in an HCM cell model. In summary, the study suggests that CES1 and CTSC negatively regulate the development of HCM and have potential as therapeutic and diagnostic targets for HCM.

Exploring HONO formation and its role in driving secondary pollutants formation during winter in the North China Plain.

Daytime HONO photolysis is an important source of atmospheric hydroxyl radicals (OH). Knowledge of HONO formation chemistry under typical haze conditions, however, is still limited. In the Multiphase chemistry experiment in Fogs and Aerosols in the North China Plain in 2018, we investigated the wintertime HONO formation and its atmospheric implications at a rural site Gucheng. Three different episodes based on atmospheric aerosol loading levels were classified: clean periods (CPs), moderately polluted periods (MPPs) and severely polluted periods (SPPs). Correlation analysis revealed that HONO formation via heterogeneous conversion of NO2 was more efficient on aerosol surfaces than on ground, highlighting the important role of aerosols in promoting HONO formation. Daytime HONO budget analysis indicated a large missing source (with an average production rate of 0.66 ± 0.26, 0.97 ± 0.47 and 1.45 ± 0.55 ppbV/hr for CPs, MPPs and SPPs, respectively), which strongly correlated with photo-enhanced reactions (NO2 heterogeneous reaction and particulate nitrate photolysis). Average OH formation derived from HONO photolysis reached up to (0.92 ± 0.71), (1.75 ± 1.26) and (1.82 ± 1.47) ppbV/hr in CPs, MPPs and SPPs respectively, much higher than that from O3 photolysis (i.e., (0.004 ± 0.004), (0.006 ± 0.007) and (0.0035 ± 0.0034) ppbV/hr). Such high OH production rates could markedly regulate the atmospheric oxidation capacity and hence promote the formation of secondary aerosols and pollutants.

Uncovering Different Responses and Energy Mechanisms of Sensitizer and Activator in Host Manipulation for Upconversion Nanoparticles.

Agile and efficient upconversion luminescence (UCL) fine-tuning strategies are the most demanded for in the frontier applications of highly doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). By doping Zn2+ ions into NaHoF4 and NaGdF4:Yb3+ shells using the oleate method, the separate influences of Zn2+ on Ho3+ and Yb3+ ions in UCL-related processes were analyzed in detail, revealing relevant UCL changes and underlying energy mechanisms from a novel but explicit perspective. Different behaviors of green and red UCL before and after Zn2+-ion doping were attributed to the disparities in the energy pathways and features of the sample structures. Herein, the populations of 5S2/5F4 and 5F5 states, not the usually mentioned decay time, decided the UCL intensities of the NaHoF4@NaYbF4-structured highly doped UCNPs. The advantageous small sizes and intense single-band red UCL of these UCNPs were further developed by combining our previous strategies with introducing Zn2+ ions into the NaHoF4 matrix. Overcoming energy loss by surface quenchers and Zn2+-triggered inner defects is the key factor in maximizing 4f-4f transitions. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first attempt to date to experimentally reveal separate impacts of the heteroions on activators and sensitizers in UCL-related processes and can deepen the theoretical investigation of Ho-based UCL for the broadened applications of NaHoF4 UCNPs.

Vertical measurements of stable nitrogen and oxygen isotope composition of fine particulate nitrate aerosol in Guangzhou city: Source apportionment and oxidation pathway.

Nowadays, the emission source and formation mechanism of fine particulate nitrate (pNO3-) in China are mired in controversy. In this study, the stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N-NO3-) and triple oxygen isotope (Δ17O-NO3-) were determined for the pNO3- samples collected at three heights under different atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) (Ox = O3 + NO2: 107 ± 29 µg m-3 at ground, 102 ± 28 µg m-3 at 118 m, 122 ± 23 µg m-3 at 488 m) conditions during the sampling period based on the Canton Tower, Guangzhou, China. The Bayesian mixing model showed that coal combustion was the largest contributor to pNO3- in this city, followed by biomass burning, vehicle exhaust, and soil emission. Interestingly, we found that vertical NOx and pNO3- concentrations displayed an opposite pattern owing to the different formation mechanisms among heights. The average contributions of oxidation pathways for (NO2 + OH, P1), (NO3 + DMS/HC, P2), and (N2O5 + H2O, P3) were 61 %, 12 %, and 27 % at the ground, respectively, and these values would vary greatly among heights. These results implied that both AOC and NOx loading played an important role in pNO3- production. The pNO3- displayed a positive correlation with NOx (r = 0.95) with an enhanced contribution of the P1 pathway under the relatively high AOC condition. However, pNO3- has a negative correlation with NOx (r = -0.99) with a rise of heterogeneous reaction (P2 and P3) under the relatively low AOC condition. Therefore, the current emission control strategy for air pollution in China needs to consider the AOC conditions among regions to effectively mitigate particulate air pollution.

KIAA1429 mediates epithelial mesenchymal transition in sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma through m6A methylation modification.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with high mortality. The long-term use of sorafenib, a targeted drug for hepatocellular carcinoma, will lead to drug resistance, and patients are prone to cancer metastasis, the molecular mechanism of which is still unclear. METHODS: In our study, we constructed a sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2/Sora) and validated the resistance in vivo and in vitro. Transwell assays confirmed the invasion and migration abilities of cells. Colorimetric assays confirmed that the level of m6A methylation modification in cells. RT-qPCR and Western blot assays confirmed that the expression levels of KIAA1429 in HepG2/Sora cells and tissues. The EMT related proteins were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Transwell and Western blot assays confirmed that HepG2/Sora cells had higher invasion and migration abilities and showed EMT phenomena. Colorimetric assays confirmed that the level of m6A methylation modification was upregulated in HepG2/Sora cells. Transwell and Western blot assays confirmed that inhibiting m6A methylation in HepG2/Sora cells inhibited their invasion, migration ability and EMT phenomenon. RT-qPCR and Western blot assays confirmed that the expression levels of KIAA1429 in HepG2/Sora cells and tissues was increased. Silencing KIAA1429 in HepG2/Sora cells inhibited their invasion, migration ability and EMT phenomenon. Finally, we found that the medium supernatant of sorafenib-resistant HepG2/Sora cells induced vascular production of EA.hy926 cells, and silencing KIAA1429 inhibited this induction effect. CONCLUSION: We suggest that KIAA1429 promotes sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma invasion, migration and EMT by mediating m6A methylation. KIAA1429 with its mediated m6A methylation may be a key factor for sorafenib-resistant patients prone to cancer cell metastasis.

Role of GADD45A in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion through mediation of the JNK/p38 MAPK and STAT3/VEGF pathways.

Rapid recovery of blocked coronary artery blood flow after myocardial infarction (MI) is the key to reducing the size of the infarcted area, improving clinical outcome and decreasing mortality. However, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has a complicated pathological mechanism and is an inevitable complication of coronary artery blood flow recovery. Growth arrest and DNA damage­inducible α (GADD45A) serves a vital role in myocardial injury induced by I/R. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanisms of GADD45A in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMEC)­I/R injury in vivo and in vitro. An I/R injury rat model and a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cellular model were established, and myocardial tissues were collected for GADD45A detection, 2,3,5­triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, H&E staining, and dual staining of CD31 and TUNEL. Serum was also collected for the analysis of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in I/R rats following GADD45A silencing. Additionally, the protein expression levels of CD31, phosphorylated­endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p­eNOS), endothelin­1 (ET­1), JNK, p38 MAPK, STAT3 and VEGF were assessed by western blotting. The JNK and p38 MAPK activator, anisomycin, and the JAK2­STAT3 pathway inhibitor, AG490, were used to determine the involvement of JNK/p38 MAPK pathway and STAT3/VEGF pathway. GADD45A was highly expressed in I/R injury rat and cell models. GADD45A silencing reduced the ischemic area and improved myocardial pathological damage in vivo. Furthermore, the levels of CD31 and p­eNOS were increased, whereas ET­1 was decreased by GADD45A silencing in the I/R injury rats. Mechanistically, GADD45A silencing reduced JNK/p38 MAPK expression but activated STAT3/VEGF expression. GADD45A silencing inhibited H/R­induced viability reduction and apoptosis through MAPK signaling and suppressed angiogenesis via STAT3/VEGF in H/R­induced CMECs. Overall, GADD45A ameliorated apoptosis and functional injury of CMECs via the JNK/p38 MAPK and STAT3/VEGF pathways.

Digital care technologies in people with dementia living in long-term care facilities to prevent falls and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a systematic review.

Fall prevention and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in long-term care (LTC) facility is a major challenge. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the evidence of digital technology in their management. All studies of English-language excluding case-reports were eligible for review. Databases chosen were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and PSYCINFO from January 2000 to June 2020. Downs and Black checklist was used to check for risk of bias. Papers with a focus in LTC setting, using digital technology as intervention for older adults with dementia, and with measurable outcomes (outcomes that are quantified, not descriptive) were included in the final review. Seventeen original papers (8 RCTs, 8 quasi-experimental and 1 mixed method) were included. Three articles examining position-sensor technology for fall prevention showed mixed results. Two showed no difference and 1 showed small reduction in fall after alarm removal but the positive effect might be due to bias. Overall, the sample sizes were too small to draw meaningful conclusion. Fourteen studies (9 pet robots of which 8 were robotic seal/PARO) were identified for BPSD and results were mixed. Overall, PARO might have modest benefit in BPSD compared to usual care but might be no better than plush toy with more hallucinations or delusions seen in advanced dementia. However, the significant heterogeneity in methodology (intervention intensity, lack of record in psychoactive drug use), clinical tools used (different BPSD scales, different digital technologies) and variability in outcomes made it difficult to draw clear-cut conclusion. Studies involving other digital technologies are scarce and in pilot phases; hence, conclusion is premature. One limitation of the review was that only 9 out of 17 studies were of good quality. The limited research work in position-sensors meant insufficient evidence to prove efficacy for their use in LTC setting. The possible modest benefit of PARO in BPSD (e.g. in agitation, apathy or reduction in psychoactive drugs) was off-set by possible adverse events such as delusions or hallucinations in advanced dementia. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10433-021-00627-5.

Functional Characterization of the GlcNAc Catabolic Pathway in Cryptococcus deneoformans.

The amino sugar N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is the key constituent of cell wall components and plays an important role in pathogenesis in a wide range of fungi. However, catabolism of GlcNAc has not been studied in basidiomycete fungi. In this study, we identified and characterized a gene cluster essential for GlcNAc utilization in Cryptococcus deneoformans, an environmental human fungal pathogen. The C. deneoformans genome contains a GlcNAc transporter (Ngt1), a GlcNAc kinase (Hxk3), a GlcNAc-6-phosphate deacetylase (Dac1), and a glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase (Nag1). Their expression levels were highly induced in cultures containing GlcNAc as the sole carbon source, and the corresponding mutants showed severe growth defects in the presence of GlcNAc. Functional and biochemical analyses revealed that HXK3 encodes a novel GlcNAc kinase. Site-directed mutations of conserved residues of Hxk3 indicated that ATP binding and GlcNAc binding are essential for GlcNAc kinase activities. Taken together, the results from this study provide crucial insights into basidiomycete GlcNAc catabolism. IMPORTANCEN-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is recognized as not only the building block of chitin but also an important signaling molecule in fungi. The catabolic pathway of GlcNAc also plays an important role in vital biological processes in fungi. However, the utilization pathway of GlcNAc in the phylum Basidiomycota, which contains more than 41,000 species, remains unknown. Cryptococcus deneoformans is a representative basidiomycetous pathogen that causes life-threatening meningitis. In this study, we characterized a gene cluster essential for GlcNAc utilization in C. deneoformans and identified a novel GlcNAc kinase. The results of this study provide important insights into basidiomycete GlcNAc catabolism and offer a starting point for revealing its role in pathogenesis.

Joint increase of aerosol scattering efficiency and aerosol hygroscopicity aggravate visibility impairment in the North China Plain.

China's "Blue Sky Action Plan" aimed at tremendous improvements in atmospheric visibility. While stringent emission control policies have substantially brought down PM2.5 mass concentrations, visibility improved much less than expected due to non-linear responses of visibility changes to PM2.5 reductions. In this study, we used long-term continuous humidified nephelometer system measurements of multi-wavelength aerosol scattering coefficients in both dry state and controlled relative humidity conditions in the North China Plain during spring and summer to attempt disentanlge the non-linear relationsips between visibility and PM2.5 mass.Aerosol scattering efficiency, optical hygroscopicity and air relative humidity are key factors for relating PM2.5 mass to visibility. It was found that aerosol volume scattering efficiencies (VSEs) were highly correlated (r > 0.8) with aerosol scattering coefficients. The continuous decrease of aerosol scattering Ångström exponent during pollution episodes revealed dominant contributions of secondary aerosol formation to aerosol size growth and mass accumulation, explaining aerosol VSE increases. Moreover, the optical hygroscopicity parameter κsca that describes the aerosol light scattering enhancement abilities through water uptake increased jointly with VSE and aggravated the visibility degradation during middle to final stages of pollution episodes. Thus, low visibility events (<3 km) only occurred when VSE and κsca were at their highest levels. The contribution of aerosol water to visibility degradation increased as visibility decreased, and contributed dominantly to visibility degradation under extremely low visibility conditions (<1 km). However, under hazy visibility conditions (3-10 km), which occurred most frequently, both aerosol water and scattering efficiency enhancement played significant roles. For setting up more efficient emission control strategies targeting on visibility improvement, our results highly encourage more future research on the linkages between secondary aerosol formation mechanisms and co-variations of aerosol scattering efficiency and aerosol hygroscopicity on the NCP.

NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1/4/5 promotes survival of acute myeloid leukemia by mediating specific oxidative phosphorylation.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of hematological malignancy caused by uncontrolled clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. The special energy metabolism mode of AML relying on oxidative phosphorylation is different from the traditional 'Warburg effect'. However, its mechanism is not clear. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, 4 and 5 (ND1, ND4 and ND5) were upregulated in AML samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database using the limma package in the R programming language. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and ELISA were used to verify the upregulation of ND1, ND4 and ND5 in clinical samples. Pan­cancer analysis revealed that the expression of ND1 was upregulated only in AML, ND2 was upregulated only in AML and thymoma, and ND4 was upregulated only in AML and kidney chromophobe. In the present study, it was demonstrated that silencing of ND1/4/5 could inhibit the proliferation of AML cells in transplanted tumor of nude mice. Additionally, it was found that oxidative phosphorylation and energy metabolism of AML cells were decreased after silencing of ND1/4/5. In conclusion, the present study suggested that ND1/4/5 may be involved in the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation metabolism in AML as a potential cancer­promoting factor.

Delayed Implantation Induced by Letrozole in Mice.

Implantation timing is critical for a successful pregnancy. A short delay in embryo implantation caused by targeted gene ablation produced a cascading problem in the later stages of the pregnancy. Although several delayed implantation models have been established in wild mice, almost none of them is suitable for investigating the early delay's effects on the late events of pregnancy. Here, we report a new delayed implantation model established by the intraperitoneal administration of letrozole at 5 mg/kg body weight on day 3 of pregnancy. In these mice, initiation of implantation was induced at will by the injection of estradiol (E2). When the estradiol (3 ng) was injected on day 4 of pregnancy (i.e., without delay), the embryo implantation restarted, and the pregnancy continued normally. However, 25 ng estrogen caused compromised implantation. We also found that 67% of the female mice could be pregnant normally and finally gave birth when the estradiol injection (3 ng) was on day 5 of pregnancy (i.e., 1-day delay). Most failed pregnancies had impaired decidualization, decreased serum progesterone levels, and compromised angiogenesis. Progesterone supplementation could rescue decidualization failure in the mice. Collectively, we established a new model of delayed implantation by letrozole, which can be easily applied to study the effect and mechanisms of delay of embryo implantation on the progression of late pregnancy events.

Interaction of genotype-ecological type-plant spacing configuration in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in China.

Grain sorghum has been a significant contributor to global food security since the prehistoric period and may contribute even more to the security of both food and energy in the future. Globally, precise management techniques are crucial for increasing grain sorghum productivity. In China, with diverse ecological types, variety introduction occasionally occurs across ecological zones. However, few information is available on the effect of ecological type on genotype performance and how plant spacing configuration influences grain yield in various ecological zones. Hence, a series of two-year field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in four ecological zones of China, from the northeast to the southwest. The experiments included six widely adapted sorghum varieties under six plant spacing configurations (two row spacing modes: equidistant row spacing (60 cm) mode and wide (80 cm)-narrow (40 cm) row spacing mode; three in-row plant spacings: 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm). Our results indicated that ecological type, variety, and plant spacing configuration had a significant effect on sorghum yield. Ecological type contributed the highest proportion to the yield variance (49.8%), followed by variety (8.3%), while plant spacing configuration contributed 1.8%. Sorghum growth duration was highly influenced by the ecological type, accounting for 87.2% of its total variance, whereas plant height was mainly affected by genotype, which contributed 81.6% of the total variance. All test varieties, developed in the south or north, can reach maturity within 94-108 d, just before fall sowing in central China. Generally, sorghum growth duration becomes longer when a variety is introduced from south to north. A late-maturing variety, developed in the spring sowing and late-maturing regions, possibly could not reach maturity in the early-maturing region. The row spacing modes had no significant affect on sorghum yield, but the equal-row spacing mode consistently caused higher yields with only one exception; this might imply that equal-row spacing mode was more advantageous for boosting sorghum yield potential. In contrast, decreasing in-row plant spacing showed significant positive linear associations with sorghum grain yield in most cases. In addition, these results demonstrated that sorghum is a widely adapted crop and enables success in variety introduction across ecological zones.

New prognostic factors and scoring system for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease originating from myeloid hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. It is important to identify molecules associated with the prognosis of AML and conduct an individual risk assessment for different patients. In the present study, the RNA expression profile of 132 patients with AML and 337 healthy individuals were downloaded from the University of California Santa Cruz Xena and the Genotype-Tissue Expression project databases. Differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA) transcripts between normal blood and AML blood were identified. Among these, prognosis-associated signature mRNA molecules were screened using univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. A total of four genes, namely, family with sequence similarity 124 member B (FAM124B), 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-like protein (HPDL), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and purinergic receptor P2Y1 (P2RY1), were identified using multivariate Cox regression analysis and were used to construct a prognostic scoring system. Moreover, the expression levels of HPDL and MPO were higher in the samples with high immunity scores and estimate scores (sum of stromal score and immune score), compared with those with low scores. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were used to confirm the upregulation of the four candidate genes in AML cell lines as well as in clinical AML samples. In summary, the present study identified a novel mRNA-based prognostic risk scoring system for patients with AML. The four genes used in this scoring system may also play an important role in AML.

Quantifying the role of PM2.5 dropping in variations of ground-level ozone: Inter-comparison between Beijing and Los Angeles.

In recent decade the ambient fine particle (PM2.5) levels have shown a trend of distinct dropping in China, while ground-level ozone concentrations have been increasing in Beijing and many other Chinese mega-cities. The variation pattern in Los Angeles was markedly different, with PM2.5 and ozone decreasing together over past decades. In this study, we utilize observation-based methods to establish the parametric relationship between PM2.5 concentration and key aerosol physical properties (including aerosol optical depth and aerosol surface concentration), and an observation-based 1-D photochemical model to quantify the response of PM2.5 decline in enhancing ground-level ozone pollution over a large PM2.5 concentration range (10-120 µg m-3). We find that the significance of ozone enhancement due to PM2.5 dropping depends on both the PM2.5 levels and optical properties of particles. Ozone formation increased by 37% in 2006-2016 due to PM2.5 dropping in Beijing, while it becomes less important (7%) as PM2.5 reaches below 40 µg/m3, similar to Los Angeles since 1980s. Therefore, the two cities show the convergence of air pollutant characteristics. Hence a control strategy prioritizing reactive volatile organic compound abatement is projected to yield simultaneous ozone and PM2.5 reductions in Beijing, as experienced in Los Angeles.