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Summary: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell cancer in the bone marrow. Immunomodulatory drugs, such as lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide, are backbone agents in MM treatment, and LEN resistance is commonly seen in the MM clinic. In this study, we presented that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) affected MM resistance to LEN via the regulation of target mRNA translation. hnRNPULow MM cells exhibited upregulated CRBN and IKZF1 proteins, stringent IKZF1/3 protein degradation upon LEN addition and increased sensitivity to LEN. RNA pulldown assays and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that hnRNPU bound to the 3′‐untranslated region of CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA. A sucrose gradient assay suggested that hnRNPU specifically regulated CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation. The competition of hnRNPU binding to its target mRNAs by small RNAs with hnRNPU‐binding sites restored MM sensitivity to LEN. hnRNPU function in vivo was confirmed in an immunocompetent MM mouse model constructed by the inoculation of Crbn‐humanized murine 5TGM1 cells into CrbnI391V/+ mice. Overall, this study suggests a novel mechanism of LEN sensitivity in which hnRNPU represses CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggrephagy, a type of autophagy, degrades the aggregation of misfolded protein in cells. However, the role of aggrephagy in multiple myeloma (MM) has not been fully demonstrated. In this study, we first investigated the correlation between aggrephagy signaling, MM immune microenvironment composition and disease prognosis. Single‐cell RNA‐seq data, including the expression profiles of 12,187 single cells from seven MM bone marrow (BM) and seven healthy BM samples, were analyzed by non‐negative matrix factorization for 44 aggrephagy‐related genes. Bulk RNA‐seq cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to evaluate the prognostic value of aggrephagy‐related immune cell subtypes and predict immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapeutic response in MM. Compared with healthy BM, MM BM exhibited different patterns of aggrephagy‐related gene expression. In MM BM, macrophages, CD8+ T cells, B cells and natural killer cells could be grouped into four to nine aggrephagy‐related subclusters. The signature of aggrephagy signaling molecule expression in the immune cells correlates with the patient's prognosis. Our investigation provides a novel view of aggrephagy signaling in MM tumor microenvironment cells, which might be a prognostic indicator and potential target for MM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an organic‐inorganic hybrid crystal, violet‐crystal (VC), was used to etch the nickel foam (NF) to fabricate a self‐standing electrode for the water oxidation reaction. The efficacy of VC‐assisted etching manifests the promising electrochemical performance towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), requiring only ~356 and ~376 mV overpotentials to reach 50 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. The OER activity improvement is attributed to the collectively exhaustive effects arising from the incorporation of various elements in the NF, and the enhancement of active site density. Furthermore, the self‐standing electrode is robust, exhibiting a stable OER activity after 4,000 cyclic voltammetry cycles, and ~50 h. The anodic transfer coefficients (αa) show that the first electron transfer step is the rate‐determining step on the surface of NF‐VCs‐1.0 (NF etched by 1 g of VCs) electrode, while the chemical step involving dissociation following the first electron transfer step is identified as the rate‐limiting step in other electrodes. The lowest Tafel slope value observed in the NF‐VCs‐1.0 electrode indicates the high surface coverage of oxygen intermediates and more favorable OER reaction kinetics, as confirmed by high interfacial chemical capacitance and low charge transport/interfacial resistance. This work demonstrates the importance of VCs‐assisted etching of NF to activate the OER, and the ability to predict reaction kinetics and rate‐limiting step based on αa values, which will open new avenues to identify advanced electrocatalysts for the water oxidation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plants of the Elaeagnaceae family are widely used to treat various health disorders owing to their natural phytochemicals. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is an economically and ecologically important species within the family with richness of biologically and pharmacologically active substances. Here, we present a chromosome‐level genome assembly of seabuckthorn (http://hipp.shengxin.ren/), the first genome sequence of Elaeagnaceae, which has a total length of 849.04 Mb with scaffold N50 of 69.52 Mb and 30 864 annotated genes. Two sequential tetraploidizations with one occurring ~36‐41 million years ago (Mya) and the last ~24–27 Mya were inferred, resulting in expansion of genes related to ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and fatty acid elongation. Comparative genomic analysis reconstructed the evolutionary trajectories of the seabuckthorn genome with the predicted ancestral genome of 14 proto‐chromosomes. Comparative transcriptomic and metabonomic analyses identified some key genes contributing to high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and ascorbic acid (AsA). Additionally, we generated and analysed 55 whole‐genome sequences of diverse accessions, and identified 9.80 million genetic variants in the seabuckthorn germplasms. Intriguingly, genes in selective sweep regions identified through population genomic analysis appeared to contribute to the richness of AsA and fatty acid in seabuckthorn fruits, among which GalLDH, GMPase and ACC, TER were the potentially major‐effect causative genes controlling AsA and fatty acid content of the fruit, respectively. Our research offers novel insights into the molecular basis underlying phytochemical innovation of seabuckthorn, and provides valuable resources for exploring the evolution of the Elaeagnaceae family and molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalein is a biologically important flavonoid in extracted from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which can effectively inhibit the influenza virus. This study aimed to analyze the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of baicalein tablets in healthy Chinese subjects and provide more information for phase II clinical trials. In this multiple‐ascending‐dose placebo‐controlled trial, 36 healthy subjects were randomized to receive 200, 400, and 600 mg of baicalein tablet or placebo once daily on day 1 and day 10, 3 times daily on days 4–9. All groups were intended to produce safety and tolerability outcomes (lowest dose first). Blood and urine samples were collected from subjects in the 600 mg group for baicalein PK analysis. Our study had shown that Baicalein tablet was generally safe and well‐tolerated. All adverse events were mild and resolved without any intervention except one case of fever reported in the 600 mg group, which was considered as moderate but not related with baicalein as judged by the investigator. Oral baicalein tablets were rapidly absorbed with peak plasma levels being reached within 2 h after multiple administration. The highest urinary excretion of baicalein and its metabolites peaked in 2 h, followed by 12 h, with a double peak trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose was to make longitudinal measurements of physical activity and study whether physical activity decreases over time in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: This was an observational study, where MHD patients were considered in a 12‐month follow‐up. Laboratory variables and physical activity were tested three times over 12‐months in 124 hemodialysis patients. Physical activity was measured using the Human Activity Profile (HAP), the Stanford 7‐day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (PAR), and walking speed. Repeated measure variance analysis was used to analyze changes of physical activity. The Bonferroni method was used to do pairwise comparisons. Findings: The proportion of decreased physical activity increased (P < 0.05). The maximal activity score (MAS), adjusted activity score (AAS), HAP dimension scores, and walking speed all decreased at the three time points studied (P < 0.001). At the same time, moderate physical activities and PAR values changed at three time points (P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons showed that between the baseline and the 6‐month follow‐up, MAS, AAS, the scores of personal/household work, entertainment/social, independent exercise, leg effort, and back effort, all decreased(P < 0.05). Between the baseline and the 12‐month follow‐up, and between the 6‐month follow‐up and the 12‐month follow‐up, all the scores of HAP and walking speed decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Between the baseline and the 6‐month follow‐up, moderate physical activities and PAR values increased (P < 0.05). However, between the baseline and the 12‐month follow‐up, and between the 6‐month follow‐up and the 12‐month follow‐up, moderate physical activities and PAR did not change statistically. Conclusion: Physical activity decreased in hemodialysis patients in the 12‐month follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in diverse biological processes and diseases. While a large number of lncRNAs have been identified in skeletal muscles until now, their function and underlying mechanisms in skeletal myogenesis remain largely unclear. Methods: We characterized a novel functional lncRNA designated lncMGPF (lncRNA muscle growth promoting factor) using RACE, Northern blot, fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real‐time PCR. Its function was determined by gene overexpression, interference, and knockout experiments in C2C12 myoblasts, myogenic progenitor cells, and an animal model. The molecular mechanism by which lncMGPF regulates muscle differentiation was mainly examined by cotransfection experiments, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull‐down, and RNA stability analyses. Results: We report that lncMGPF, which is highly expressed in muscles and positively regulated by myoblast determination factor (MyoD), promotes myogenic differentiation of muscle cells in vivo and in vitro. lncMGPF knockout in mice substantially decreases growth rate, reduces muscle mass, and impairs muscle regeneration. Overexpression of lncMGPF in muscles can rescue the muscle phenotype of knockout mice and promote muscle growth of wild‐type mice. Mechanistically, lncMGPF promotes muscle differentiation by acting as a molecular sponge of miR‐135a‐5p and thus increasing the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), as well as by enhancing human antigen R‐mediated messenger RNA stabilization of myogenic regulatory genes such as MyoD and myogenin (MyoG). We confirm that pig lncRNA AK394747 and human lncRNA MT510647 are homologous to mouse lncMGPF, with conserved function and mechanism during myogenesis. Conclusions: Our data reveal that lncMGPF is a novel positive regulator of myogenic differentiation, muscle growth and regeneration in mice, pigs, and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen electrocatalysis, including both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), dominates the performance of various electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems. However, the practical applications of these devices are limited as a result of the sluggish kinetics of OER and ORR as well as the high cost and instability of the state‐of‐the‐art noble metal catalyst used in these systems. In this study, cation deficiency is introduced to the A‐site of perovskite LaCoO3 synthesized via polymer‐assisted approach to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of both OER and ORR, leading to the boosted bifunctionality of the resultant electrocatalysts, which might be attributed to oxygen vacancy introduction in perovskites. The bifunctionality of the A‐site deficiency perovskite (ΔE=0.948 V) is comparable or even better than the pristine LaCoO3 (ΔE=1.063 V) as well as the reported state‐of‐the‐art electrocatalysts, including both perovskites and noble metal electrocatalysts. The stability test also indicates their good stability under alkaline solutions, suggesting that the as‐prepared materials can be good candidates as bifunctional electrocatalysts in oxygen‐based electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells and metal‐air batteries. This work introduces the A‐site cation deficiency strategy to improve the bifunctional electrocatalytic performance of perovskites, and highlights the facile polymer‐assisted approach for perovskites synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for animals and humans and a target for biofortification in crops. Sulfur (S) is a crucial nutrient for plant growth. To gain better understanding of Se and S nutrition and interaction in plants, the effects of Se dosages and forms on plant growth as well as on S level in seven wheat lines were examined. Low dosages of both selenate and selenite supplements were found to enhance wheat shoot biomass and show no inhibitory effect on grain production. The stimulation on plant growth was correlated with increased APX antioxidant enzyme activity. Se forms were found to exert different effects on S metabolism in wheat plants. Selenate treatment promoted S accumulation, which was not observed with selenite supplement. An over threefold increase of S levels following selenate treatment at low dosages was observed in shoots of all wheat lines. Analysis of the sulfate transporter gene expression revealed an increased transcription of SULTR1;1, SULTR1;3 and SULTR4;1 in roots following 10 μM Na2SeO4 treatment. Mass spectrometry-based targeted protein quantification confirmed the gene expression results and showed enhanced protein levels. The results suggest that Se treatment mimics S deficiency to activate specific sulfate transporter expression to stimulate S uptake, resulting in the selenate-induced S accumulation. This study supports that plant growth and nutrition benefit from low dosages of Se fertilization and provides information on the basis underlying Se-induced S accumulation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of desalination concentrate can reduce concentrate volume for disposal, increase water recovery and convert waste to resource. However, concentrate treatment is costly and energy intensive due to high concentrations of salt and recalcitrant organic matter in concentrate. Photocatalytic oxidation provides a novel energy neutral technology for concentrate treatment by degrading organic contaminants. Polymer-assisted hydrothermal deposition method was used to synthesize innovative pure and Fe-doped TiO2 mixed-phase nanocomposite thin films on side-glowing optical fibers ( SOFs). The properties of the photocatalysts-coated SOF were characterized by surface morphology, nanostructure, crystallite size and phase and zeta potential. Photodegradation efficiency and durability of the photocatalysts treating different types of desalination concentrate was studied under natural sunlight. Synthetic solutions and reverse osmosis ( RO) concentrates from brackish water and municipal wastewater desalination facilities were tested to elucidate the impact of water chemistry, operating conditions and seasonal climate variations (solar irradiation intensity and temperature) on photocatalytic efficiency. High ionic strength and divalent electrolyte ions in RO concentrate accelerated photocatalytic process, whereas the presence of carbonate species and organic matter hindered photodegradation. Outdoor testing of immobilized continuous-flow photoreactors suggested that the catalyst-coated SOFs can utilize a wide spectrum of natural sunlight and achieved durable photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danshen, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, wherein its rhizome/roots are particularly valued. The corresponding bioactive components include the tanshinone diterpenoids, the biosynthesis of which is a subject of considerable interest. Previous investigations of the S. miltiorrhiza transcriptome have relied on short-read next-generation sequencing ( NGS) technology, and the vast majority of the resulting isotigs do not represent full-length cDNA sequences. Moreover, these efforts have been targeted at either whole plants or hairy root cultures. Here, we demonstrate that the tanshinone pigments are produced and accumulate in the root periderm, and apply a combination of NGS and single-molecule real-time ( SMRT) sequencing to various root tissues, particularly including the periderm, to provide a more complete view of the S. miltiorrhiza transcriptome, with further insight into tanshinone biosynthesis as well. In addition, the use of SMRT long-read sequencing offered the ability to examine alternative splicing, which was found to occur in approximately 40% of the detected gene loci, including several involved in isoprenoid/terpenoid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Epitaixial metal-oxide nanocomposite films, which possess interesting multifunctionality, have found applications in a wide range of devices. However, such films are typically produced by using high-vacuum equipment, like pulse-laser deposition, molecular-beam epitaxy, and chemical vapor deposition. As an alternative approach, chemical solution methods are not only cost-effective but also offer several advantages, including large surface coating, good control over stoichiometry, and the possible use of dopants. Therefore, in this Personal Account, we review the chemistry behind several of the main solution-based approaches, that is, sol-gel techniques, metal-organic decomposition, chelation, polymer-assisted deposition, and hydrothermal methods, including the seminal works that have been reported so far, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of these different routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice endosperm plays a very important role in seedling germination and determines the qualities of rice grain. Although studies on specific gene categories in endosperm have been carried out, global view of gene expression at a transcription level in rice endosperm is still limited. To gain a better understanding of the global and tissue-specific gene expression profiles in rice endosperm, a cDNA library from rice endosperm of immature seeds was sequenced. A cDNA array was constructed based on the tentative unique transcripts derived from expression sequence tag (EST) assembling results and then hybridized with cDNAs from five different tissues or organs including endosperm, embryo, leaf, stem and root of rice. Significant redundancy was found for genes encoding prolamin, glutelin, allergen, and starch synthesis proteins, accounting for ∼34% of the total ESTs obtained. The cDNA array revealed 87 significantly expressed genes in endosperm compared with the other four organs or tissues. These genes included 13 prolamin family proteins, 17 glutelin family proteins, 12 binding proteins, nine catalytic proteins and four ribosomal proteins, indicating a complicated biological processing in rice endosperm. In addition, Northern verification of 1,4-alpha-glucan branching enzyme detected two isoforms in rice endosperm, the larger one of which only existed in endosperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal carbonates are promising anodes for energy storage and conversion due to their advantages of facile synthesis, large theoretical capacities, and high electrochemical activities. However, the poor electronic conductivity, slow ion transport, and high volume expansion lead to the capacity loss of transition metal carbonates. Herein, hierarchical Ni(HCO3)2 nanosheets are directly grown on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) via electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. The 3D CNFs can not only improve the electronic conductivity and shorten diffusion length but also fasten electron/ionic transport and release the volume change. Ni(HCO3)2 nanosheets anchored on CNFs exhibit excellent lithium storage performance with a high cycling stability and good rate capability. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 3807.6 mAh g−1 and a reversible capacity of 1261.1 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1. This work may shed light on the preparation of other binder‐free transition metal carbonates and make them as high‐performance electrodes in flexible electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐inorganic lead halide perovskites have been extensively studied in the past several years due to their superior stability against moisture, oxygen, light, and heat compared with their organic–inorganic counterparts. CsPbBr3 with suitable band gap and ultrahigh photoluminescence quantum yield is a promising candidate for pure green emitter in the backlighting display to fill the so‐called "green gap." Here, vapor‐phase growth of CsPbBr3 microspheres is reported for highly efficient pure green light emission. The as‐synthesized microspheres exhibit a stronger photoluminescence (PL) intensity with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 75% resulting from the lower energy of longitudinal optical phonons revealed by temperature dependent PL studies. Importantly, with the diameter increasing from 2 to 50 µm the PL peak positions of the microspheres can be readily tuned from 527 to 539 nm, well filling the so‐called "green gap." The red‐shift with increasing diameter can be ascribed to the reabsorption process during the photon propagation inside the microspheres. The studies provide a route to improve the photoluminescence quantum yield in all‐inorganic lead halide perovskites, but also suggest an alternative approach to achieve the pure green emission for the backlighting display. Vapor‐phase growth of CsPbBr3 microspheres for highly efficient pure green light emission is reported. The as‐synthesized microspheres exhibit a stronger photoluminescence (PL) intensity resulting from the lower energy of longitudinal optical phonons. By tuning the diameter of the microsphere, the PL peak positions can be tuned from 527 to 539 nm, well filling the "green gap." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of substrates are investigated which bear two acyl groups ortho to each other on a benzene ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sr(3)(Ru(0.336),Pt(0.664))CuO(6) crystallizes as a monoclinic structure [space group R12/c; lattice parameters a = 9.595 (15), b = 9.595 (15), c = 11.193 (2) A and gamma = 120 degrees ]. The crystal structure is pseudotrigonal and the crystal investigated here by single-crystal X-ray diffraction was a multiple twin composed of six individuals. The twin laws are a combination of rhombohedral obverse/reverse twinning plus the threefold axis from the trigonal system. The crystal structure is related to the hexagonal perovskites. Each Pt/Ru atom is coordinated pseudo-octahedrally by O atoms, while the overall coordination polyhedra for Cu atoms can be regarded as a strongly distorted trigonal prism, where the Cu atom is clearly shifted from the center. Each [(Ru(0.336),Pt(0.664))O(6)] octahedron is connected to two Cu-O polyhedra via a common edge, and thus chains are formed parallel to the crystallographic c axis. Sr(2+) ions are incorporated between the chains and are coordinated by eight O atoms. All bond distances and angles are in good agreement with literature values. Electron-microscopy studies confirm the results from X-ray diffraction and all observed domain structures can be interpreted exactly with the established twin model. No indication of Pt/Ru ordering was found in either the X-ray or the electron-microscopy investigation.