LncRNAs unraveling their sponge role in glioblastoma and potential therapeutic applications

Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM),the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults,is the most malignant and still has no cure.However,the novel role of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma is attracting extensive attention.LncRNAs are transcribed RNA molecules over 200 nucleotides long that do not encode proteins.Unlike small non-coding RNAs,such as microRNAs(miRNAs),lncRNAs have more complex secondary and tertiary structures that enable them to interact with DNA,RNA,and proteins and perform multiple regulatory functions.LncRNAs act as molecular sponges,absorbing and sequestering other biomolecules,particularly miRNAs,thereby preventing these molecules from performing their normal functions.LncRNAs influence glioblastoma through gene expression regulation,molecular sponge capacity,epigenetic modulation,and signaling pathway interactions.In glioblastoma,a large number of lncRNAs have been found to be abnormally expressed,affecting tumor growth,invasion and resistance to treatment.Due to its regulatory role and disease-specific expression patterns,lncRNA has become a potential biomarker for glioblastoma and a promising new therapeutic target.This paper discusses the spongy role of lncRNAs in glioblastoma and its potential therapeutic applications,which will lay a foundation for our understanding of glioblastoma biology and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the future.

Spin torque oscillator based on magnetic tunnel junction with MgO cap layer for radio-frequency-oriented neuromorphic computing

Recently,it has been proposed that spin torque oscillators(STOs)and spin torque diodes could be used as artificial neurons and synapses to directly process microwave signals,which could lower latency and power consumption greatly.However,one critical challenge is to make the microwave emission frequency of the STO stay constant with a varying input current.In this work,we study the microwave emission characteristics of STOs based on magnetic tunnel junction with MgO cap layer.By applying a small magnetic field,we realize the invariability of the microwave emission frequency of the STO,making it qualified to act as artificial neuron.Furthermore,we have simulated an artificial neural network using STO neuron to recognize the handwritten digits in the Mixed National Institute of Standards and Technology database,and obtained a high accuracy of 92.28%.Our work paves the way for the development of radio-frequency-oriented neuromorphic computing systems.

Response Surface Optimization of Ultrasound-assisted Aqueous Two-phase Extraction of Sweet Potato Leaf Polysaccharides

[Objectives]The ultrasound-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides was studied.[Methods]With the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides as the index,the aqueous two-phase extraction system was determined,and the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.[Results]The optimal parameters were ethanol concentration 25.68%,liquid-to-material ratio 55.83,and ultrasonic treatment time 38.33 min.Under these conditions,the yield of sweet potato leaf polysaccharides could reach 20.646 mg/g.[Conclusions]The ethanol/ammonium sulfate aqueous system is a rapid and efficient method for extracting sweet potato leaf polysaccharides,which is of great significance for the application of sweet potato leaf extract as a natural food additive.

Dorsal root ganglion-derived Schwann cells combined with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/chitosan conduits for the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rats

Schwann cells, nerve regeneration promoters in peripheral nerve tissue engineering, can be used to repair both the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, isolation and puriifcation of Schwann cells are complicated by contamination with ifbroblasts. Current reported measures are mainly limited by either high cost or complicated procedures with low cell yields or purity. In this study, we collected dorsal root ganglia from neonatal rats from which we obtained highly puriifed Schwann cells using serum-free melanocyte culture medium. The purity of Schwann cells （〉95%） using our method was higher than that using standard medium containing fetal bovine serum. The obtained Schwann cells were implanted into poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid）/chi-tosan conduits to repair 10-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats. Results showed that axonal diameter and area were signiifcantly increased and motor functions were obviously improved in the rat sciatic nerve tissue. Experimental ifndings suggest that serum-free melanocyte culture medium is conducive to purify Schwann cells and poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid）/chitosan nerve conduits combined with Schwann cells contribute to restore sciatic nerve defects.

Low-temperature Li-S batteries enabled by all amorphous con version process of organosulfur cathode

The high degree of crystallinity of discharging in termediates of Li-S batteries(Li_(2)S_(2)/Li_(2)S)causes a severe capacity attenuation at low temperatures.Herein,a sulfur-rich polymer is fabricated,which enables all the discharging in termediates to exist in an amorphous state without long-range order,promoti ng the substantial conversion of discharging intermediates and enhancing Li-S batteries'performance at low temperatures greatly.This cathode material exhibits excellent performance both at room and low temperatures.Even under an extremely low temperature(-40℃),the discharge capacity can remain 67% of that at room temperature.Besides,in-situ UV/Vis spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal that this organosulfur cathode undergoes a new mechanism during discharge.Li_(2)S_(6) and Li_(2)S_(3) are the primary discharging intermediates that are quite different from conventional Li-S batteries.These results provide a new directi on for a broader range of applications of Li-S batteries.

Atomically Dispersed Pt and NiO Clusters Synergistically Enhanced C–O Bond Hydrogenolysis

C–Obond activation is a highly efficient,fundamental strategy in the depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation of chemicals with oxygen-containing functional groups such as oil,coal,and biomass.Developing efficient catalysts for C–Oactivation with ultralow-loading noble and non-noble metals is highly desirable for the improvement of metal atomic utilization.Herein,bimetallic catalysts with atomically dispersed Pt and NiO clusters on different supports were fabricated,and the prepared Pt^(δ+)-NiO/Nb_(2)O_(5)and Pt^(δ+)-NiO/TiO_(2)showed outstanding activity for the hydrogenolysis of benzyl phenyl ether with>99%yield of phenol and toluene due to the excellent cooperation of atomically dispersed Pt and NiO clusters.The synergy mechanism between Pt and Ni and their respective roles in the bimetallic catalyst for C–O hydrogenolysis were clearly clarified.These findings deepen our understanding of the synergy of the two active components and are expected to provide new design concepts for the development of multicomponents catalysts.

Therapeutic genome editing of an aberrant splice site inβ-thalassemia by CRISPR/Cas9 with multiple sgRNAs

Genetic mutations cause aberrant splicing,one of the important molecular mechanisms in human diseases.Ivs2-654,a mutation causing aberrant splicing ofβ-globin premRNA and contributing toβ-globin deficiency,is one of the most common diseases in Southeast Asia and China."In our previous work,we found a TTTV protospacer adjacent motif(PAM)by the Cas12a system and the editing efficiency of Ivs2-654 C>T achieving 76.7%.

Genesis mechanism and Mg isotope difference between the Sinian and Cambrian dolomites in Tarim Basin

Dolomite genesis is a century-old mystery in sedimentology.To reveal the mechanism of dolomite genesis,two core problems need to be addressed.The first is the origin and migration mechanism of Mg^(2+)-rich fluids during the dolomitization process.The second is the kinetic barrier caused by Mg^(2+)hydration during dolomite precipitation at low temperatures.To address these problems,our study,based on detailed petrological,sedimentological,geochemical(major and trace elements),and isotopic(C-O-Mg)analysis,clarified the source and migration of Mg^(2+)-rich fluids and the kinetic barrier mechanism of lowtemperature dolomite precipitation in the Upper Sinian Qigebulake Formation and the Lower Cambrian Xiaoerbulake Formation in the Tarim Basin.First,we found that the Mg^(2+)-rich fluids required for the dolomitization of dolomite in the Xiaoerbulake Formation were primarily derived from the Early Cambrian marine fluid.At the interface of the sedimentary cycle,δ26Mg values fluctuated considerably,indicating that the sequence interface was the starting point and channel for the migration of dolomitized fluids.Sea level variation plays a major role in controlling the dolomitization process of the Xiaoerbulake Formation.Second,the Qigebulake Formation contains low-temperature dolomite with Mg^(2+)-rich fluids supplied by seawater,microorganisms,and sedimentary organic matter.Comprehensive analysis shows that the dolomite of the Qigebulake Formation was formed by microbial induction by anaerobic methane bacteria.Finally,the properties and sources of dolomitization fluids and the formation process of dolomite were the reasons for the difference in the Mg isotope composition of dolomite during the Sinian-Cambrian transition.This study reveals the genetic mechanism of the Sinian-Cambrian dolomite in the Tarim Basin and establishes a new method to explain the genesis of microbial dolomite by C-O-Mg isotopes,providing a reference for the reconstruction of the formation and evolution of dolomites.

Treatment of infectious diseases by in vivo gene editing

Gene editing is the specific modification of genome sequences at desired sites using technologies derived from zinc finger nucleases(ZFNs),transcription activator-like effector nucleases(TALENs)and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated(Cas)nuclease systems.It is a promising tool for the development of new treatment strategies for infectious diseases.Due to its higher editing efficiency and lower off-target effect,gene editing therapy mainly uses CRISPR Cas-derived tools to resist viral and non-viral infections.Here,we reviewed the recent research progress of gene editing in antiviral therapy(human immunodeficiency virus,hepatitis B virus,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,and human papillomavirus)and inhibition of infectious diseases that involve bacteria,fungi and parasites.

Overview of recognition methods for SSVEP-based BCIs in World Robot Contest 2022: MATLAB undergraduate group

The steady-state visual evoked potential(SSVEP)-based speller has emerged as a widely adopted paradigm in current brain–computer interface(BCI) systems due to its rapid processing and consistent performance across different individuals. Calibration-free SSVEP algorithms, as opposed to their calibration-based counterparts, offer clear and intuitive mathematical principles, making them accessible to novice developers. During the World Robot Contest(WRC)2022, participants in the undergraduate category utilized various approaches to accomplish target detection in the calibration-free setting, successfully implementing the algorithms using MATLAB.The winning approach achieved an average information transfer rate of 198.94 bits/min in the final test, which is notably high given the calibration-free scenario. This paper presents an introduction to the underlying principles of the selected methods, accompanied by a comparison of their effectiveness through analysis of results from both the final test and offline experiments. Additionally, we propose that the youth competition of WRC could serve as an ideal starting point for beginners interested in studying and developing their own BCI systems.

Global,regional,and national burden and attributable risk factors of transport injuries:Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2019

To the Editor:Injuries are an important yet neglected cause of health burden,and the millions of injuryrelated deaths that occur each year reflect large disparities in terms of gender,race,and socioeconomic status.^([1])With the progress of urbanization and the number of motor vehicles increasing,pedestrians,cyclists,and drivers are brought into close contact,increasing the risk for all.^([2])In 2019,one of the leading causes of injuryrelated disability-adjusted life-years(DALYs)for all ages was road injuries(ranked seventh).^([1])Understanding the burden of transport injuries and how they are distributed among different regions and countries worldwide is essential for policy-making.^([3])

Gonadal mosaicism mediated female-biased gender control in mice

Dear Editor, In nature or during artificial breeding,evolutionary interven-tion or desirable trait selection could be achieved by means of gender control in an organism.Previously reported approaches including sex-sorted semen and genetic manipulation of a certain gene(Holden and Butler,2018;Yosef et al.,2019).In mice,a recent study demonstrated a genetic system for biasing sex ratio through crossing two genetically engineered mouse lines(Yosef et al.,2019).The maternal line encodes functional Cas9 protein on an auto-somal chromosome,whereas the paternal encodes guide RNAs on Y chromosome targeting vital genes.After fertil-ization,males carrying both Cas9 and guide RNAs were self-destructed,resulting in a female biased sex ratio.However,the litter size is proximate half of normal size since half of the progeny are eliminated.Moreover,a reproductive reservoir of males and females must be maintained for crossing.Here,we established a mouse line carrying Hspa2 promoted Cas9 and constitutively expressed sgRNA targeting repetitive sequences on Y chromosome.In those mice,spermatogenic cells carrying Y chromosome were eliminated during sper-matogenesis,resulting in female biased sex ratio in proge-nies whereas the total number was unaffected.

The national multi-center artificial intelligent myopia prevention and control project

In recent years,the incidence of myopia has increased at an alarming rate among children and adolescents in China.The exploration of an effective prevention and control method for myopia is in urgent need.With the development of information technology in the past decade,artificial intelligence with the Internet of Things technology(AIoT)is characterized by strong computing power,advanced algorithm,continuous monitoring,and accurate prediction of long-term progression.Therefore,big data and artificial intelligence technology have the potential to be applied to data mining of myopia etiology and prediction of myopia occurrence and development.More recently,there has been a growing recognition that myopia study involving AIoT needs to undergo a rigorous evaluation to demonstrate robust results.

Spermatogenic Cell-Specific Gene Mutation in Mice via CRISPR-Cas9

Tissue-specific knockout technology enables the analysis of the gene function in specific tissues in adult mammals.However,conventional strategy for producing tissue-specific knockout mice is a time- and labor-consuming process,restricting rapid study of the gene function in vivo.CRISPR-Cas9 system from bacteria is a simple and efficient gene-editing technique,which has enabled rapid generation of gene knockout lines in mouse by direct injection of CRISPR-Cas9 into zygotes.Here,we demonstrate CRISPR-Cas9-mediated spermatogenic cell-specific disruption of Scp3 gene in testes in one step.We first generated transgenic mice by pronuclear injection of a plasmid containing Hspa2 promoter driving Cas9 expression and showed Cas9 specific expression in spermatogenic cells.We then produced transgenic mice carrying Hspa2 promoter driven Cas9 and constitutive expressed sgRNA targeting Scp3 gene.Male founders were infertile due to developmental arrest of spermatogenic cells while female founders could produce progeny normally.Consistently,male progeny from female founders were infertile and females could transmit the transgenes to the next generation.Our study establishes a CRISPR-Cas9-based one-step strategy to analyze the gene function in adult tissues by a temporal-spatial pattern.