Adaptive evolution of rbcL in Reaumuria soon garica(Tamaricaceae)

In the field of phylogenetic analyses, the rbcL gene encoded large subunit Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase （Rubisco, EC4.1.1.39）, which plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis for most terrestrial plants, has been considered to be conserved; however, recent controversy regarding rbcL conservation has appeared since it was proposed to be under natural selection within all principal lineages of land plants. In this study, by examining the variation of DNA and protein sequences among 17 species in the family Tamaricaceae, three nonsynonymous mutations were identified to be under positive selection. The favored sites were located in the alph-helix domains of Rubisco, with decreased hydrophobicity and increased entropy, which could facilitate C〇 2 penetration into the active site of Rubisco. We also found that the expression level of rbcL in different genotypes of Reaumuria soongarica shifted in response to various stresses such as drought, temperature, salt, and light. This study not only sheds light on the functional/structural features of Rubisco in the evolution scenarios from 〇 3-like into C4 in Tamaricaceae but also provides useful information on directing genetic performance to enhance photosynthesis efficiency of desert plants for sustaining fragile desert ecosystems; fur-thermore, it promotes the ability to cope with desert aridification and global warming.

Exploratory study of highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 populations

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),is threatening public health.The human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)has a remarkably high affinity binding to SARS-CoV-2.This study explored whether certain populations,including obese and cancer patients,are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.The expression pattern of ACE2 in normal and tumor tissues of cancer patients was compared by the search for network database and re-analysis of pubic data.The level of ACE2 expression in normal adipose tissue was higher than that in normal lung tissue,which indicated the adipose tissue might be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2;the levels of ACE2 expressed by adipocytes and adipose progenitor cells were similar between non-obese individuals and obese individuals(BMI>29),but obese individuals have more adiposes so as to increase the number of ACE2-expressing cells;the expression of ACE2 in tumor tissues posed by five different types of cancers increased significantly compared with that in adjacent tissues.Therefore,we proposed the following hypothesis:the obese individuals and five types of cancer patients might have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection,which might become the target population of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the future.

Robotic surgery in China

Robotic surgery,succeeding open and laparoscopic surgery,stands as the third revolution in surgical techniques.To date,numerous robotic surgical systems have been approved for use,such as AESOP,ZEUS,Da Vinci,and Enhance.Among these systems,the Da Vinci surgical system,developed by Intuitive Surgical,received US Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approval in 2000,marking the commencement of commercialization of surgical robots.Over four iterations,the Da Vinci surgical system has emerged as the most popular and widely used surgical robot worldwide.

The potential of engineered multifunctional quantum dots for macrophage theranostics

Macrophages play important roles in tissue repair,inflammation,and the progression of various diseases.Imaging and tracking macrophage cells in vitro and in vivo can reveal the location and movement of macrophages in tissues and animals,which is critical to understanding macrophage functions in different diseases.1 Macrophages can generally be divided into the following two phenotypes based on their physiological functions:proinflammatory M1 macrophages and alternatively activated M2 macrophages,both of which are closely related to the development and progression of various diseases.A promising methodology for disease therapy is the modulation of macrophage phenotypes,which can reverse disease states and metabolic processes.Therefore,engineering nanoparticles that combine the advantages of imaging and therapy may offer novel strategies for macrophage theranostics.