Expression of PDGFR-α in Patients with Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: To investigate the expression of Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-α) in patients who have valvular atrial fibrillation. Methods: In this research, eighty-four patients with rheumatic heart disease who were going to undertake cardiac surgery were included. The subjects were divided into two groups: the AF group and the sinus rhythm group, the quantities are 39 and 45 respectively. Before the surgery, baseline demographics, physical examination, routine laboratory testing, echocardiography, echocardiographic data and additional clinical data were available for all patients. The right atrial tissue of the subjects was separated during surgery, with an area of approximately 0.3 - 0.5 mm3. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the distribution of PDGFR-α of atrial tissue. mRNA of PDGFR-α in atrial tissue were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction);Western-Blot technique was used to measure the protein of PDGFR-α in atrial tissue. Results: There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in sex ratio, age, blood pressure, blood biochemistry, and other aspects of medical history between the two groups. However, the right and left atrium diameters in the AF group were markedly larger than those in the SR group (P α from right atrial tissue were obviously higher in the AF group than that in the SR group (P Conclusion: The expression of PDGFR-α in the right atrial tissue of patients with atrial fibrillation was found to be significantly higher.

Identification of the candidate gene controlling tiller angle in common wheat through genome-wide association study and linkage analysis

Wheat tiller angle(TA)is an important agronomic trait that contributes to grain production by affecting plant architecture.It also plays a crucial role in high-yield wheat breeding.An association panel and a recombinant inbred line(RIL)population were used to map quantitative trait loci(QTL)for TA.Results showed that 470 significant SNPs with 10.4%–28.8%phenotypic variance explained(PVE)were detected in four replicates by a genome-wide association study(GWAS).Haplotype analysis showed that the TA_Hap_4B1 locus on chromosome 4B was a major QTL to regulate wheat TA.Ten QTL were totally detected by linkage mapping with the RIL population,and QTA.hau-4B.1 identified in six environments with the PVE of 7.88%–18.82%was a major and stable QTL.A combined analysis demonstrated that both TA_Hap_4B1 and QTA.hau-4B.1 were co-located on the same region.Moreover,QTA.hau-4B.1 was confirmed by bulked segregant RNA-Seq(BSR-Seq)analysis.Phenotypic analysis showed that QTA.hau-4B.1was also closely related to yield traits.Furthermore,Traes CS4B02G049700 was considered as a candidate gene through analysis of gene sequence and expression.This study can be potentially used in cloning key genes modulating wheat tillering and provides valuable genetic resources for improvement of wheat plant architecture.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-A Overexpression Correlates with Atrial Fibrosis in the Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Secondary to Rheumatic Valvular Disease

Objective: To investigate the relationship between platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A) and atrial fibrosis in patients who have developed atrial fibrillation (AF) secondary to rheumatic valvular disease. Methods: 84 selected patients participated in the current study who have developed rheumatic heart disease and were going to have a cardiac surgical operation. In the current study, whole subjects were divided into two group, they were atrial fibrillation (AF) group (the quantity is thirty-nine) and sinus rhythm (SR) group (the quantity is forty-five). Before the operation, complete clinical data was available for the whole patients. During the operation, the right atrial tissue (0.3 - 0.5 mm3) was disserted from every patient. Right atrial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining and the distribution of PDGF-A in right atrium specimen was observed by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR techniques were applied to admeasure the mRNA expressions of PDGF-A in patients’ atrial tissue. At the same time, western-Blot techniques were employed to admeasure the protein expressions of PDGF-A. Results: In baseline clinical characteristics, in both AF group and SR group, there was no apparently difference between them (P > 0.05);compared with SR group, the diameters of left atrium and right atrium in AF group were apparently increased (P Conclusion: Atrial remodeling plays an important role in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation;PDGF-A in patients with AF was highly expressed in the right atrial, and was closely related with atrial fibrosis.

Fe, V-co-doped C_(2)N for electrocatalytic N_(2)-to-NH_(3) conversion

Designing providential catalyst is the key to drive the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reactions(NRR),which is referring to multiple intermediates and products. By means of density functional theory(DFT)calculations, we studied heteronuclear bi-atom electrocatalyst(HBEC) for NRR. Our results revealed that compared to homonuclear bi-atom electrocatalyst(Fe_2@C_2N, V_2@C_2N), Fe, V-co-doped C_2N(Fe V@C_2N)had a smaller limiting potential of-0.17 V and could accelerate N_2-to-NH_3 conversion through the enzymatic pathway of NRR. Importantly, N–N bond length monotonically increases with increasing the Bader charges of adsorbed N_2 molecule but decreases with increasing the Bader charge difference of two adsorbed N atoms. Additionally, the Fe V@C_2N could suppress the production of H_2 by the preferential adsorption and reduction of N_2 molecule. Thus, the as-designed HBEC may have the outstanding electrochemical NRR performance. This work opens a new perspective for NRR by HBECs under mild conditions.

Design of manganese ion coated Prussian blue nanocarrier for the therapy of refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on a comprehensive analysis of ferroptosis regulators from clinical cases

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is a prevalent human malignancy,and understanding its biology will help identify problems in refractory patients and customize alternative therapies for them.We found that DLBCL can be stratified into two independent subtypes with different clinical characteristics and outcomes by consensus clustering of expression of ferroptosis regulatory genes,which proves that ferroptosis is effective in treating refractory cases.In this work,we constructed a novel ferroptosis nanocarrier(PBPMn@PEG)by coating Prussian blue nanoparticles with manganese ions and encapsulating them with poly(ethyleneglycol).The low efficiency of the Fenton reaction of Prussian blue nanoparticles can be improved greatly by manganese coating,and can effectively generate hydroxyl radicals,and induce ferroptosis of lymphoma cells(SU-DHL-10 cells)by down-regulating ferroptosis suppressor genes and up-regulating ferroptosis driver genes.It also induces effective cell apoptosis,which is synergistic with ferroptosis for DLBCL therapy.In vivo experiments also prove that PBPMn@PEG achieved a better anti-tumor effect by up-regulating COX2,HO-1/hemeoxygenase-1(HMOX1),and NADPH oxidase-4(NOX4),and downregulating FSP1 and GPX4,with lower biotoxicity.As a novel and potential DLBCL drug carrier,our discovery served as a foundation for the treatment of the refractory DLBCL by inducing ferroptosis for DLBCL treatment in addition to the therapeutic effect of drugs.

A HAase/NIR responsive surface on titanium implants for treating bacterial infection and improving osseointegration

Bacterial infection and insufficient osseointegration are critical factors affecting the long-term success of titanium-based implants.Unfortunately,the direct application of antibiotic on Ti implants easily leads to poor cytocompatibility,as well as the production of drug-resistant bacteria.So,in this work,we designed a prospective antibacterial strategy by combining photothermal and ciprofloxacin(CIP).The synergistic effect of photothermal and antibiotic may provide an effective bacteriostatic efficacy without sacrificing osteogenesis at a mild condition of moderate temperature and less antibiotic.Herein,CIP was loaded into mesoporous polydopamine(MPDA)nanoparticles(MPDA@CIP),which were anchored on the surface of titanium and finally covered with sodium hyaluronate-catechol(HAc)coating.The hydrophilic HAc layer could inhibit the early adhesion of bacteria,and some bacteria could secrete bacterial hyaluronidase to accelerate the degradation of HAc.This enabled smart enzyme-triggered release of antimicrobials at the site of infection on-demand and avoided unwanted side effects on normal tissues.In addition,NIR light irradiation had a positive influence on both CIP release and MPDA nanoparticle’s photothermal effect.Moreover,before anchoring MPDA@CIP,by the construction of hydroxyapatite microstructure on Ti sur-face with micro-arc oxidation and alkali heat treatment,the ability of bone formation of Ti could be promoted also.Both in vitro as well as in vivo assays demonstrated that functional Ti has an excellent antibacterial effect and osteogenic ability.

谷子PLATZ转录因子基因家族的鉴定和分析

PLATZ转录因子家族是一类植物特异性锌依赖DNA结合蛋白,在植物生长发育和抗逆过程中发挥不可或缺的作用。然而,对于谷子(Setaria italica)PLATZ家族基因尚未进行系统研究。在谷子基因组中鉴定出17个PLATZ基因并对其进行系统命名。通过系统发育分析将SiPLATZ基因划分为5个亚家族,同一亚家族成员具有相似的基因结构和保守基序。顺式作用元件分析表明,SiPLATZ基因可能在籽粒胚乳发育和多种抗逆反应中发挥作用。Ka/Ks分析表明,重复基因受到纯化选择。SiPLATZ基因在不同组织和发育阶段的表达存在显著差异,主要包括在根、叶和茎中高表达,以及在穗和籽粒中高表达两类,这体现出SiPLATZ基因生理功能的复杂性,其可能参与调节籽粒生长和多种抗逆反应。此外,结合WGCNA分析构建的共表达网络,发现SiPLATZ6、SiPLATZ8、SiPLATZ9和SiPLATZ11可能是谷子产量遗传改良和功能基因研究的候选基因。研究结果为深入揭示PLATZ转录因子在谷子生长发育中的生物学功能奠定了基础。

重组β-环糊精葡萄糖基转移酶生产偶合糖的工艺优化

偶合糖为一种可代替蔗糖的新型甜味剂,因其具有着色性能良好、保水性能优良、抗龋齿等优点,在食品、医药等领域具有良好的应用前景。本研究旨在找到廉价且易获得的供受体,并利用环状芽孢杆菌Bacilluscirculans 251来源的环糊精转移酶(β-CGTase)生产偶合糖,并优化确定制备偶合糖工艺。以蔗糖为受体,分别从加酶量、淀粉种类、温度、pH、供受比、异淀粉酶复配等因素对β-CGTase制备偶合糖工艺进行了优化。采用105 g/L马铃薯淀粉、95 g/L蔗糖为底物,向反应体系中添加13.5 U/g固定化β-CGTase和45.0 U/g异淀粉酶,在pH 5.5、40℃条件下反应21 h偶合糖产率达到88.4%。本研究创新性使用异淀粉酶协同β-CGTase制备偶合糖,该方法在产率和成本上均具有明显优势,为酶法制备偶合糖的工业化应用进一步奠定了理论和实验基础。

Multi-omics analyses of 398 foxtail millet accessions reveal genomic regions associated with domestication,metabolite traits,and antiinflammatory effects

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica),which was domesticatedfromthewild speciesgreenfoxtail(Setaria viridis),isa richsource of phytonutrientsfor humans.To evaluate how breeding changed themetabolome offoxtail millet grains,we generated and analyzed the datasets encompassing the genomes,transcriptomes,metabolomes,and anti-inflammatory indices from 398 foxtail millet accessions.We identified hundreds of common variants that influence numerous secondary metabolites.We observed tremendous differences in natural variations of the metabolites and their underlying genetic architectures between distinct sub-groups of foxtail millet.Furthermore,we found that the selection of the gene alleles associated with yellow grains led to altered profiles of metabolites such as carotenoids and endogenous phytohormones.Using CRiSPR-mediated genome editing wevalidated the function of PHYTOENE SYNTHASE1(PSY1)gene in affecting milletgrain colorand quality.Interestingly,our in vitro cell inflammation assays showed that 83 metabolites in millet grains have anti-inflammatory effects.Taken together,ourmulti-omics study illustrates how the breeding history of foxtail millet has shaped its metabolite profile.The datasets we generated in this study also provide important resources for further understanding how millet grain quality is affected by different metabolites,laying the foundations for future millet genetic research and metabolome-assisted improvement.

Surface modification of titanium substrate via combining photothermal therapy and quorum-sensing-inhibition strategy for improving osseointegration and treating biofilm-associated bacterial infection

Insufficient osseointegration and biofilm-associated bacterial infection are important challenges for clinical application of titanium(Ti)-based implants.Here,we constructed mesoporous polydopamine(MPDA)nanoparticles(NPs)loaded with luteolin(LUT,a quorum sensing inhibitor),which were further coated with the shell of calcium phosphate(CaP)to construct MPDA-LUT@CaP nanosystem.Then,MPDA-LUT@CaP NPs were immobilized on the surface of Ti implants.Under acidic environment of bacterial biofilm-infection,the CaP shell of MPDA-LUT@CaP NPs was rapidly degraded and released LUT,Ca^(2+)and PO_(4)^(3-)from the surface of Ti implant.LUT could effectively inhibit and disperse biofilm.Furthermore,under near-infrared irradiation(NIR),the thermotherapy induced by the photothermal conversion effect of MPDA destroyed the integrity of the bacterial membrane,and synergistically led to protein leakage and a decrease in ATP levels.Combined with photothermal therapy(PTT)and quorum-sensing-inhibition strategy,the surface-functionalized Ti substrate had an antibacterial rate of over 95.59%against Staphylococcus aureus and the elimination rate of the formed biofilm was as high as 90.3%,so as to achieve low temperature and efficient treatment of bacterial biofilm infection.More importantly,the modified Ti implant accelerated the growth of cell and the healing process of bone tissue due to the released Ca^(2+)and PO_(4)^(3-).In summary,this work combined PTT with quorum-sensing-inhibition strategy provides a new idea for surface functionalization of implant for achieving effective antibacterial and osseointegration capabilities.

2020 Roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis

Environmental catalysis has drawn a great deal ofattention due to its clean ways to produce useful chemicals or carry out some chemical processes.Photocatalysis and electrocatalysis play important roles in these fields.They can decompose and remove organic pollutants from the aqueous environment,and prepare some fine chemicals.Moreover,they also can carry out some important reactions,such as 02 reduction reaction(ORR),O2 evolution reaction(OER),H2 evolution reaction(HER),CO2 reduction reaction(C02 RR),and N2 fixation(NRR).For catalytic reactions,it is the key to develop high-performance catalysts to meet the demand fortargeted reactions.In recentyears,two-dimensional(2 D) materials have attracted great interest in environmental catalysis due to their unique layered structures,which offer us to make use of their electronic and structural characteristics.Great progress has been made so far,including graphene,black phosphorus,oxides,layered double hydroxides(LDHs),chalcogenides,bismuth-based layered compounds,MXenes,metal organic frameworks(MOFs),covalent organic frameworks(COFs),and others.This content drives us to invite many famous groups in these fields to write the roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis.We hope that this roadmap can give the useful guidance to researchers in future researches,and provide the research directions.

2020 Roadmap on gas-involved photo-and electro-catalysis

Green reactions not only provide us chemical products without any pollution,but also offer us the viable technology to realize difficult tasks in normal conditions.Photo-,photoelectro-,and electrocatalytic reactions are indeed powerful tools to help us to embrace bright future.Especially,some gas-involved reactions are extremely useful to change our life environments from energy systems to liquid fuels and cost-effective products,such as H2 evolution(H2 production),02 evolution/reduction,CO2 reduction,N2 reduction(or N2 fixation) reactions.We can provide fuel cells clean H2 for electric vehicles from H2 evolution reaction(HER),at the same time,we also need highly efficient 02 reduction reaction(ORR) in fuel cells for improving the reaction kinetics.Moreover,we can get the clean oxidant O2 from water through O2 evolution reaction(OER),and carry out some reactions without posing any pollution to reaction systems.Furthermore,we can translate the greenhouse gas CO2 into useful liquid fuels through CO2 reduction reaction(CRR).Last but not the least,we can get ammonia from N2 reduction reaction(NRR),which can decrease energy input compared to the traditional Hubble process.These reactions,such as HER,ORR,OER,CRR and NRR could be realized through solar-,photoelectro-and electro-assisted ways.For them,the catalysts used play crucial roles in determining the efficiency and kinds of products,so we should consider the efficiency of catalysts.However,the cost,synthetic methods of catalysts should also be considered.Nowadays,significant progress has been achieved,however,many challenges still exist,reaction systems,catalysts underlying mechanisms,and so on.As extremely active fields,we should pay attention to them.Under the background,it has motivated us to contribute with a roadmap on ’GasInvolved Photo-and Electro-Catalysis’.

凝聚态化学视角下的生物矿化

凝聚态化学是研究凝聚态材料的合成、组分、结构、性能、相互作用及相关化学反应等多个领域的一门学科。近年来对生物矿物这种特殊的天然凝聚态材料不断深入的探索,极大扩展了凝聚态化学原有的研究视野。这些生物矿物常通过非经典的方式,在温和而复杂的体内甚至体外环境中形成;它们具有长期进化筛选出的跨尺度多级组织结构,充分利用了材料微观形态和不同凝聚态材料间的表、界面相互作用,因此具有非常优异的性能。本文通过分析生物矿物形成和转化过程中涉及的几种特殊机制,阐明真实环境条件下凝聚态材料合成和凝聚态化学反应的一些新特征。同时,还将介绍由生物矿物相关研究推动的凝聚态化学的实际应用。最后,对该领域未来需要解决的问题和重要发展方向做出展望。

Self-anti-angiogenesis nanoparticles enhance anti-metastatic-tumor efficacy of chemotherapeutics

Beyond traditional endothelium-dependent vessel(EDV),vascular mimicry(VM)is another critical tumor angiogenesis that further forms in many malignant metastatic tumors.However,the existing anti-angiogenesis combined chemotherapeutics strategies are only efficient for the treatment of EDV-based subcutaneous tumors,but remain a great challenge for the treatment of in situ malignant metastatic tumor associated with EDV and VM.Here,we demonstrate a self-assembled nanoparticle(VE-DDP-Pro)featuring self-anti-EDV and-VM capacity enables to significantly enhance the treatment efficacy of cisplatin(DDP)against the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer.The VE-DDP-Pro is constructed by patching DDP loaded cRGD-folate-heparin nanoparticles(VE)onto the surface of protamine(Pro)nanoparticle.We demonstrated the self-anti-angiogenesis capacity of VE-DDP-Pro was attributed to VE,which could significantly inhibit the formation of EDV and VM by regulating signaling pathway of MMP-2/VEGF,AKT/mTOR/MMP-2/Laminin and AKT/mTOR/EMT,facilitating chemotherapeutics to effectively suppress the development and metastasis of ovarian cancer.Thus,combing with the chemotherapeutics effectiveness of DDP,the VE-DDP-Pro can significantly enhance treatment efficacy and prolong median survival of mice with metastatic ovarian cancer.We believe our self-assembled nanoparticles integrating the anti-EDV and anti-VM capacity provide a new preclinical sight to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutics for the treatment malignant metastasis tumor.

Towards natural object-based image recoloring

Existing color editing algorithms enable users to edit the colors in an image according to their own aesthetics.Unlike artists who have an accurate grasp of color,ordinary users are inexperienced in color selection and matching,and allowing non-professional users to edit colors arbitrarily may lead to unrealistic editing results.To address this issue,we introduce a palette-based approach for realistic object-level image recoloring.Our data-driven approach consists of an offline learning part that learns the color distributions for different objects in the real world,and an online recoloring part that first recognizes the object category,and then recommends appropriate realistic candidate colors learned in the offline step for that category.We also provide an intuitive user interface for efficient color manipulation.After color selection,image matting is performed to ensure smoothness of the object boundary.Comprehensive evaluation on various color editing examples demonstrates that our approach outperforms existing state-of-the-art color editing algorithms.