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We developed an integrated platform for analysis of parameterized data from human disease models. We report a non‐negative blind deconvolution (NNBD) approach to quantify calcium (Ca2+) handling, beating force and contractility in human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC‐CMs) at the single‐cell level. We employed CRISPR/Cas gene editing to introduce a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)‐causing mutation in troponin T (TnT), TnT‐R141W, into wild‐type control iPSCs (MUT). The NNDB‐based method enabled data parametrization, fitting and analysis in wild‐type controls versus isogenic MUT iPSC‐CMs. Of note, Cas9‐edited TnT‐R141W iPSC‐CMs revealed significantly reduced beating force and prolonged contractile event duration. The NNBD‐based platform provides an alternative framework for improved quantitation of molecular disease phenotypes and may contribute to the development of novel diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pretreatment controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is a novel index which was used to predict outcomes in cancer patients. We aim to explore the prognostic significance of CONUT score in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Patients and methods: A total of 662 UTUC patients between 2004 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into three groups based on CONUT score (Normal: 0‐1; Light: 2‐4; Moderate/severe: 5‐12). Associations of CONUT score with oncological outcomes were analyzed using Logistic and Cox regression analysis. Harrell concordance index was used to assess the predictive accuracy of the multivariate models. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to tumor grade and stage. Results: The median follow‐up duration was 41 months. Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that high CONUT score was independently associated with high‐grade disease, high pT stage, lymphovascular invasion, sessile carcinoma, variant histology, and positive surgical margins (each P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CONUT score 5‐12 was an independent factor for worse cancer‐specific survival (CSS, hazard ratio [HR]:2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55‐3.68, P < 0.0001), disease recurrence‐free‐survival (RFS, HR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.24‐2.60, P = 0.002), and overall survival (OS, HR: 2.26, 95% CI 1.53‐3.34, P < 0.0001). The estimated c‐index of the multivariate models for CSS, RFS, and OS increased from 0.755, 0.715 and 0.745 to 0.772, 0.723, and 0.756 when CONUT score supplemented. Subgroup analyses showed that especially in patients with high‐grade carcinoma and advanced stage (≥pT3), higher CONUT score predicts decreased CSS, RFS, and OS (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative CONUT score is a negative independent prognostic indicator for both pathologic and survival outcomes in UTUC, especially in those with high‐grade carcinoma and advanced stage. Adding this parameter into our clinical prediction model is appropriate so as to improve its predictive accuracy. CONUT score independently predicted worse survival in UTUC patients, especially in patients with high‐grade disease and advanced stage. The addition of CONUT score would improve the predictive accuracy of the multivariate models for survival outcomes. We therefore suggest adding the CONUT score to the traditional predictive model and to the risk stratifications of patients with UTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In summary, we present ArecaceaeMDB, a useful platform that integrates multi-omics data of Arecaceae, which provides a valuable resource for functional genome research and genetic breeding research of the Arecaceae family. Keywords: database; Arecaceae; functional genomics; transcriptomics; metabolomics; variation EN database Arecaceae functional genomics transcriptomics metabolomics variation 11 13 3 01/11/23 20230101 NES 230101 When tropical plants are mentioned, palm trees first come to mind. The Arecaceae includes 181 genera and about 2500 species, among which the more famous are coconut, date palm, oil palm, sugar palm, and fishtail palm. [Extracted from the article]

Bacteriophage T4 UvsY protein is considered to be the prototype of recombination mediator proteins, a class of proteins which assist in the loading of recombinases onto DNA. Wild-type and Se-substituted UvsY protein have been expressed and purified and crystallized by hanging-drop vapor diffusion. The crystals diffract to 2.4 Å using in-house facilities and to 2.2 Å at NSLS, Brookhaven National Laboratory. The crystals belong to space group P422, P4222, P4212 or P42212, the ambiguity arising from pseudo-centering, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 76.93, c = 269.8 Å. Previous biophysical characterization of UvsY indicates that it exists primarily as a hexamer in solution. Along with the absence of a crystallographic threefold, this suggests that the asymmetric unit of these crystals is likely to contain either three monomers, giving a solvent content of 71%, or six monomers, giving a solvent content of 41%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) production from electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions represents a sustainable alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process. However, the conventional electrocatalytic NRR process often suffers from low selectivity (competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)) and electron transfer bottleneck for efficient activation and dissociation. Herein, a strategy to simultaneously promote selectivity and activity through dual‐incorporation of Se and O elements onto the shell of HER‐inactive Te nanorods is reported. It is theoretically and experimentally verified that the exposure of lone‐pair electrons in the TeO2 shell of Se, O dual‐doped Te nanorods can maximize orbits overlap between N2 and Te for N‐N bond activation via π‐backdonation interactions. Further, the Gibbs free energy change indicates that the Lewis‐basic anchor ‐SeO ligand with strong electron‐donating characteristics serves as an electron reservoir and is capable of buffering the oxidation state variation of Te, thereby improving the thermodynamics of desorption of the intermediates in the N2‐to‐NH3 conversion process. As expected, a high faradaic efficiency of 24.56% and NH3 yield rate of ≈21.54 µg h−1 mg−1 are obtained under a low overpotential of ≈0.30 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in an aqueous electrolyte under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: To investigate the value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Patients and methods: A total of 717 patients were included in our study from 2003 to 2016. PNI was calculated as 10 × serum albumin level (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm3). Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox regression models were adapted to analyze the value of PNI on survival outcomes. Results: The cutoff value of PNI was set as 46.91 and 298 patients (47.6%) had PNI <46.91. The median follow‐up was 50 months. The results suggested that low PNI was significantly associated with worse pathologic features (all P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that PNI < 46.91 was an independent predictor of poor overall survival (Hazard ratios [HR] = 1.777, 95% CI = 1.383‐2.284, P < 0.001), cancer‐specific survival (HR = 1.850, 95% CI = 1.399‐2.445, P < 0.001), and recurrence‐free survival (HR = 1.554, 95% CI = 1.229‐1.964, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Low preoperative PNI was associated with worse survival outcomes in patients with UTUC. PNI could be an easily assessed blood‐based biomarker to predict the prognosis in patients with UTUC treated with RNU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of clock components in salt stress tolerance remain incompletely characterized in rice. Here, we show that, among OsPRR (Oryza sativa Pseudo‐Response Regulator) family members, OsPRR73 specifically confers salt tolerance in rice. Notably, the grain size and yield of osprr73 null mutants were significantly decreased in the presence of salt stress, with accumulated higher level of reactive oxygen species and sodium ions. RNA sequencing and biochemical assays identified OsHKT2;1, encoding a plasma membrane‐localized Na+ transporter, as a transcriptional target of OsPRR73 in mediating salt tolerance. Correspondingly, null mutants of OsHKT2;1 displayed an increased tolerance to salt stress. Immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) assays further identified HDAC10 as nuclear interactor of OsPRR73 and co‐repressor of OsHKT2;1. Consistently, H3K9ac histone marks at OsHKT2;1 promoter regions were significantly reduced in osprr73 mutant. Together, our findings reveal that salt‐induced OsPRR73 expression confers salt tolerance by recruiting HDAC10 to transcriptionally repress OsHKT2;1, thus reducing cellular Na+ accumulation. This exemplifies a new molecular link between clock components and salt stress tolerance in rice. SYNOPSIS: The circadian clock regulates abiotic stress tolerance in plants. Here, rice clock component OsPRR73 is shown to confer salt tolerance via chromatin modifications reducing sodium influx transporter OsHKT2;1 expression. OsPRR73 expression is transcriptionally induced by salt stress.osprr73 null mutants exhibit increased sensitivity to salt stress.OsPRR73 expression inhibits OsHKT2;1 transcription.OsPRR73 reduces histone H3K9 acetylation at the OsHKT2;1 promoter by recruiting histone deacetylase HDAC10.OsHKT2;1 loss enhances rice salt tolerance by reducing sodium ion and ROS accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high‐voltage direct current circuit breaker (HVDCCB) has progressed rapidly. One of the major reasons for the failure of a circuit breaker is the metallic particle contamination. An enhanced mathematical model is proposed to simulate the motion dynamics of a spherical copper particle in the break of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)[AQ ID=Q2] HVDCCB. By linking COMSOL and MATLAB, the interaction between particle motion and electric field distribution and plastic random movement in the collision process is considered. The effects of voltage magnitude and particle size on the particle motion are discussed. By means of statistical methods, the obtained findings show that, as voltage magnitude decreases or particle size increases, the particle–anode collision frequency decreases, and the particle–anode collision region increases in the x‐direction but decreases in the y‐direction. The accuracy of the proposed model is verified by experimental observations via high‐speed video camera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been proved to be associated with clinical outcomes in various carcinomas; however, limited evidence was available in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of LDH in UTUC. Patients and methods: A cohort of 668 patients WERE retrospectively included between 2003 and 2016. Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association of LDH with overall survival (OS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS), disease recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and metastasis‐free survival (MFS). The cutoff level of LDH was set at 220 U/L for the upper limit of normal. Results: Kaplan‐Meier plots showed the group with elevated LDH had significant poor OS (P = 0.003), CSS (P = 0.005), and RFS (P = 0.005), but not MFS (P = 0.099). However, multivariate Cox analysis suggested that LDH was not an independent predictor for CSS (HR 1.50, 95%CI: 0.87‐2.59), OS (HR 1.56, 95%CI: 0.94‐2.58), RFS (HR 1.33, 95%CI: 0.83‐2.12), or MFS (HR 1.16, 95%CI: 0.79‐1.71). Albumin, globulin, and HBDH were also not related to survival outcomes of UTUC patients in multivariate analysis, while higher alkaline phosphatase was associated with worse CSS and OS, and higher white blood cells contributed to poor CSS and RFS. In subgroup analysis, results found higher LDH was associated with poor OS in patients with localized disease (pT ≤ 2) (HR 4.03, 95%CI: 1.37‐11.88). Conclusion: The preoperative LDH was not an independent prognostic factor for patients with UTUC, while elevated LDH was proved to be correlated with worse OS in patients with localized disease. Preoperative LDH, ALB, GLB, and HBDH were not associated with survival outcomes in patients with UTUC. Higher LDH was correlated with worse OS in patients with localized disease. Higher ALP was independently correlated with worse CSS and OS, and higher WBC was an independent predictor of CSS and RFS separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling soft bodies and dynamic motions with multifunctional flexible electronics is challenging, but is essential in satisfying the urgent and soaring demands of fully soft and comprehensive robotic systems that can perform tasks in spite of rigorous spatial constraints. Here, the mobility and adaptability of liquid droplets with the functionality of flexible electronics, and techniques to use droplets as carriers for flexible devices are combined. The resulting active droplets (ADs) with volumes ranging from 150 to 600 µL can conduct programmable functions, such as sensing, actuation, and energy harvesting defined by the carried flexible devices and move under the excitation of gravitational force or magnetic force. They work in both dry and wet environments, and adapt to the surrounding environment through reversible shape shifting. These ADs can achieve controllable motions at a maximum velocity of 226 cm min−1 on a dry surface and 32 cm min−1 in a liquid environment. The conceptual system may eventually lead to individually addressable ADs that offer sophisticated functions for high‐throughput molecule analysis, drug assessment, chemical synthesis, and information collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]