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Radicals can be formed expeditiously through the direct irradiation of an electron donor‐acceptor (EDA) complex. Herein, we show a photocatalyst‐free strategy for gem‐difluoroalkenes synthesis realized by photo‐irradiation of the EDA complexes, which can be generated in situ between N‐alkylpyridinium salts and Hantzsch ester without any other additives. A wide variety of readily available alkylamines underwent deaminative defluoroalkylation to provide the corresponding gem‐difluoroalkenes. This reaction system exhibits high reactivity and good functional group tolerance and provides a practical and effective entry to a broad range of α‐alkyl‐substituted gem‐difluoroalkenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exploring the association of diet and indoor and outdoor environments on the gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes. We investigated the microbiome profile of the 24 fecal samples collected from nine cranes from day 1 to 35. Differences in the gut microbiome composition were compared across diet and environments. Results: A total of 2,883 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, with 438 species-specific OTUs and 106 OTUs common to the gut microbiomes of four groups. The abundance of Dietzia and Clostridium XI increased significantly when the red-crowned cranes were initially fed live mealworms. Skermanella and Deinococcus increased after the red-crowned cranes were fed fruits and vegetables and placed outdoors. Thirty-three level II pathway categories were predicted. Our study revealed the mechanism by which the gut microbiota of red-crowned cranes responds to dietary and environmental changes, laying a foundation for future breeding, nutritional and physiological studies of this species. Conclusions: The gut microbiome of red-crowned cranes could adapt to changes in diet and environment, but the proportion of live mealworms in captive red-crowned cranes can be appropriately reduced at the initial feeding stage, reducing the negative impact of high-protein and high-fat foods on the gut microbiome and growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deschampsia antarctica Desv. and Poa annua L. are two Poaceae plants with enough endurance to successfully establish populations in the Antarctic region. Their adaptation to the Antarctic environment is closely linked to root-associated microbial communities. In this study, we obtained 16S rRNA sequencing data of the root-associated microbial communities of these two Poaceae plants from NCBI. Meta-analysis was used to investigate the similarities and differences between the root endosphere and rhizosphere-dwelling microbial communities in these two Poaceae plants. Here we report that two Poaceae-Poaceae plants' rhizospheric communities were found to be more species diversity than endospheric communities. The species diversity of P. annua was higher than that of D. antarctica in both endosphere and rhizosphere communities. Seven bacterial families form a core microbiome of two Antarctic Poaceae plants' root endosphere, in which Microbacteriaceae appears to be obligatory root endophytes of the two Antarctic Poaceae plants. The core microbiome of the two Poaceae plants' rhizosphere has six bacterial families. Chitinophagaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Flavobacteriaceae are most likely to play a crucial role in Poaceae plants' adaptation to cold Antarctic conditions. Sphingobacteriaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Gemmatimonadaceae, and Flavobacteriaceae have a great influence on two Antarctic Poaceae plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Drawida gisti was sequenced and compared with the mitogenomes of other Metagynophora species. The circular mitogenome was 14,648 bp in length and contained two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs). The types of constitutive genes and the direction of the coding strand that appeared in Drawida mitogenome were identical to those observed in other Metagynophora species, except for a missing lengthy non-coding region. The conservative relationships between Drawida species were supported by the overall analyses of 13 PCGs, two rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. A comparison of the Metagynophora mitogenomes revealed that the ATP8 gene possessed the highest polymorphism among the 13 PCGs and two rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Moniligastridae contained Drawida , which is a primitive Metagynophora group. Our study provides a step forward toward elucidating the evolutionary linkages within Drawida and even Metagynophora. • Extremely small mitogenome size of Drawida gisti • Absence of lengthy non-coding regions in Drawida mitogenomes • Significant difference in codon usage of mitochondrial genes between Drawida and other earthworms • Conservative relationships of Metagynophora supported by mitogenomes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is emerging as a potential biomarker for the detection of ovarian cancer (OC). Recently, we reported a method based upon cfDNA whole-genome sequencing data including the nucleosome distribution (nucleosome footprinting NF), terminal signature sequence (motif), DNA fragmentation (fragment), and copy number variation (CNV).In the present study, we explored whether multiomics early screening technology in cfDNA can be applied for early screening of ovarian cancer. Methods: Fifty-nine patients with OC and 100 healthy controls were included in this prospective study. Cell-free DNA was extracted from plasma and analyzed by low-pass whole-genome sequencing. Genomic features were obtained for all samples of the cohort, including copy number variation (CNV), 5'-end motifs, fragmentation profiles, and nucleosome footprinting (NF). An integrated scoring system termed the OC score was developed based on the performance of these four features. Results: All four features showed diagnostic potential for OC. Based on the unique genome features of cfDNA, the OC score has high accuracy in distinguishing OC patients from healthy controls (AUC 97.7%; sensitivity 94.7%; specificity 98.0%) as a new comprehensive diagnostic method for OC. The OC score showed a gradual trend from healthy controls to OC patients with different stages, especially for early OC monitoring of concern, which achieved a satisfactory sensitivity (85.7%) at a high specificity. Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating the potential of cell-free DNA for the diagnosis of primary OC using multidimensional early screening technology. We present a promising method to increase the accuracy of prediction in patients with OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of using a combination of scaffold-based physical and biochemical cues to repair spinal cord injury (SCI) has shown promising results. However, integrating conductivity and neurotrophins into a scaffold that recreates the electrophysiologic and nutritional microenvironment of the spinal cord (SC) remains challenging. In this study we investigated the therapeutic potential of a soft thermo-sensitive polymer electroactive hydrogel (TPEH) loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF) combined with functional electrical stimulation (ES) for the treatment of SCI. The developed hydrogel exhibits outstanding electrical conductance upon ES, with continuous release of NGF for at least 24 days. In cultured nerve cells, TPEH loaded with NGF promoted the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells and axonal growth, an effect that was potentiated by ES. In a rat model of SCI, TPEH combined with NGF and ES stimulated endogenous neurogenesis and improved motor function. These results indicate that the TPEH scaffold that combines ES and biochemical cues can effectively promote SC tissue repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Targeted therapies are based on specific gene alterations. Various specimen types have been used to determine gene alterations, however, no systemic comparisons have yet been made. Herein, we assessed alterations in selected cancer‐associated genes across varying sample sites in lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Targeted deep sequencing for 48 tumor‐related genes was applied to 153 samples from 55 lung cancer patients obtained from six sources: Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues, pleural effusion supernatant (PES) and pleural effusion cell sediments (PEC), white blood cells (WBCs), oral epithelial cells (OECs), and plasma. Results: Mutations were detected in 96% (53/55) of the patients and in 83% (40/48) of the selected genes. Each sample type exhibited a characteristic mutational pattern. As anticipated, TP53 was the most affected sequence (54.5% patients), however this was followed by NOTCH1 (36%, across all sample types). EGFR was altered in patient samples at a frequency of 32.7% and KRAS 10.9%. This high EGFR/ low KRAS frequency is in accordance with other TCGA cohorts of Asian origin but differs from the Caucasian population where KRAS is the more dominant mutation. Additionally, 66% (31/47) of PEC samples had copy number variants (CNVs) in at least one gene. Unlike the concurrent loss and gain in most genes, herein NOTCH1 loss was identified in 21% patients, with no gain observed. Based on the relative prevalence of mutations and CNVs, we divided lung cancer patients into SNV‐dominated, CNV‐dominated, and codominated groups. Conclusions: Our results confirm previous reports that EGFR mutations are more prevalent than KRAS in Chinese lung cancer patients. NOTCH1 gene alterations are more common than previously reported and reveals a role of NOTCH1 modifications in tumor metastasis. Furthermore, genetic material from malignant pleural effusion cell sediments may be a noninvasive manner to identify CNV and participate in treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]