Search

Hypoxia and Ferroptosis are associated with the malignant behaviour of cervical cancer. Endothelial PAS domain‐containing protein 1 (EPAS1) contributes to the progression of cervical cancer. EPAS1 plays important roles in hypoxia and ferroptosis. Using the GEO dataset, machine‐learning algorithms were used to screen for hypoxia‐ and ferroptosis‐related genes (HFRGs) in cervical cancer. EPAS1 was identified as the hub gene. qPCR and WB were used to investigate the expression of EPAS1 in normal and cervical cancer tissues. The proliferation, invasion and migration of EPAS1 cells in HeLa and SiHa cell lines were detected using CCK8, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. A dual‐luciferase assay was used to analyse the MALAT1‐miR‐182‐5P‐EPAS1 mRNA axis and core promoter elements of the super‐enhancer. EPAS1 was significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues. EPAS1 could increase the proliferation, invasion, migration of HeLa and SiHa cells and reduce the apoptosis of HeLa and SiHa cell. According to the double‐luciferase assay, EPAS1 expression was regulated by the MALAT1‐Mir‐182‐5p‐EPAS1 mRNA axis. EPAS1 is associated with super‐enhancers. Double‐luciferase assay showed that the core elements of the super‐enhancer were E1 and E3. EPAS1, an HFRG, is significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer. EPAS1 promotes malignant behaviour of cervical cancer cells. EPAS1 expression is regulated by super‐enhancers and the MALAT1‐miR‐182‐5P‐ EPAS1 mRNA axis. EPAS1 may be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygala tenuifolia was documented to calm the mind and promote wisdom. However, its underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of tenuifolin (Ten) on Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐like phenotypes. We first applied bioinformatics methods to screen the mechanisms of P. tenuifolia in the treatment of AD. Thereafter, the d‐galactose combined with Aβ1–42 (GCA) was applied to model AD‐like behaviors and investigate the action mechanisms of Ten, one active component of P. tenuifolia. The data showed that P. tenuifolia actioned through multi‐targets and multi‐pathways, including regulation of synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, and calcium signaling, and so forth. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that Ten prevented intracellular calcium overload, abnormal calpain system, and down‐regulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling induced by GCA. Moreover, Ten suppressed oxidative stress and ferroptosis in HT‐22 cells induced by GCA. Calpeptin and ferroptosis inhibitor prevented the decrease of cell viability induced by GCA. Interestingly, calpeptin did not interrupt GCA‐induced ferroptosis in HT‐22 cells but blocked the apoptosis. Animal experiments further demonstrated that Ten prevented GCA‐induced memory impairment in mice and increased synaptic protein expression while reducing m‐calpain expression. Ten prevents AD‐like phenotypes through multiple signaling by inhibiting oxidative stress and ferroptosis, maintaining the stability of calpain system, and suppressing neuronal apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to unary assemblies comprising π‐conjugated organic species, elaborate modulation of dimensions, polymorphisms, and compositions of multicomponent assembled architectures with two or more constituent materials has not yet been systematically studied. Herein, a combinatorial library of organic microcrystals made of four components via a solution‐phase assembly route is reported. With the involvement of growth kinetics, four organic species with slight structural modifications can assemble into five unary assemblies, which may endow binary combinations with highly and partially structural miscibility. Consequently, a variety of binary alloyed assemblies and microscale heterostructures with tailorable dimensions, polymorphisms, and emission colors are realized by rational compositional and growth control. The effects of structural relations of binary combinations on their miscibility are systematically uncovered, that gives rise to these intricate microscale architectures as well as diverse energy transfer (ET) efficiencies. Highly efficient ET process in binary alloyed assemblies can be beneficial to steady‐state photoluminescence anisotropy amplification. Benefiting from the information of binary combinations, white‐light‐emitting ternary microsheets can be modulated in a predictable manner. The present work uncovers the rational control of multicomponent microcrystals, which further stretches the boundaries of molecular self‐assembly and may be used to achieve integrated optoelectronic properties, such as multicolor lasers and p–n junctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient allocation of the essential nutrient potassium (K+) is a central determinant of plant ion homeostasis and involves AKT2 K+ channels. Here, we characterize four AKT2 K+ channels from cotton and report that xylem and phloem expressed GhAKT2bD facilitates K+ allocation and that AKT2‐silencing impairs plant growth and development. We uncover kinase activity‐dependent activation of GhAKT2bD‐mediated K+ uptake by AtCBL4–GhCIPK1 calcium signalling complexes in HEK293T cells. Moreover, AtCBL4–AtCIPK6 complexes known to convey activation of AtAKT2 in Arabidopsis also activate cotton GhAKT2bD in HEK293T cells. Collectively, these findings reveal an essential role for AKT2 in the source‐sink allocation of K+ in cotton and identify GhAKT2bD as subject to complex regulation by CBL–CIPK Ca2+ sensor–kinase complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SbOx thin films are deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using SbCl5 and Sb(NMe2)3 as antimony reactants and H2O and H2O2 as oxidizers at low temperatures. SbCl5 can react with both oxidizers, while no deposition is found to occur using Sb(NMe2)3 and H2O. For the first time, the reaction mechanism and dielectric properties of ALD‐SbOx thin films are systematically studied, which exhibit a high breakdown field of ≈4 MV cm−1 and high areal capacitance ranging from 150 to 200 nF cm−2, corresponding to a dielectric constant ranging from 10 to 13. The ZnO semiconductor layer is integrated into a SbOx dielectric layer, and thin film transistors (TFTs) are successfully fabricated. A TFT with a SbOx dielectric layer deposited at 200 °C from Sb(NMe2)3 and H2O2 presents excellent performance, such as a field effect mobility (µ) of 12.4 cm2 V−1 s−1, Ion/Ioff ratio of 4 × 108, subthreshold swing of 0.22 V dec−1, and a trapping state (Ntrap) of 1.1 × 1012 eV−1 cm−2. The amorphous structure and high areal capacitance of SbOx boosts the interface between the semiconductor and dielectric layer of TFT devices and provide a strong electric field for electrons to improve the device mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fruit morphology is an important agronomical trait of many crops. Here, we identify Sly‐miR159 as an important regulator of fruit morphology in tomato, a model species of fleshy‐fruit development. We show that Sly‐miR159 functions through its target SlGAMYB2 to control fruit growth. Suppression of Sly‐miR159 and overexpression of SlGAMYB2 result in larger fruits with a reduced length/width ratio, while loss of function of SlGAMYB2 leads to the formation of smaller and more elongated fruits. Gibberellin (GA) is a major phytohormone that regulates fruit development in tomato. We show the Sly‐miR159‐SlGAMYB2 pathway controls fruit morphology by modulating GA biosynthesis. In particular, we demonstrate that Sly‐miR159 promotes GA biosynthesis largely through the direct repression of the GA biosynthetic gene SlGA3ox2 by SlGAMYB2. Together, our findings reveal the action of Sly‐miR159 on GA biosynthesis as a previously unidentified mechanism that controls fruit morphology in tomato. Modulating this pathway may have potential applications in tomato breeding for manipulating fruit growth and facilitating the process of fruit improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected continuous ambient noise data recorded between 2014 and 2015 at 288 broadband stations. Phase velocity maps of Rayleigh waves are constructed from 2 to 35 s periods. Combining phase dispersions at long periods (40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 s) obtained from earthquake data, we construct a three‐dimensional crustal S‐wave velocity (Vs) model with a lateral resolution of ∼20 km beneath the Qilian orogenic belt (QLOB) and its surrounding areas. The velocity structure above 20 km is constrained by faults and agrees well with subblocks. The middle‐lower crustal shear wave velocity in the QLOB is relatively low and has an unevenly distributed low‐velocity zone (LVZ, Vs < 3.4 km/s) at depths of 20–40 km, while that in the Alxa block is normal except for a narrow region protruding through the Longshou Shan. Deformation of the upper and lower crust in the QLOB is decoupled, and the growth of northern Tibet occurs through ductile lower crustal thickening and upper crustal overthrusting. The emergence of the mid‐crust LVZ in the QLOB could be due to high heat flow, more felsic composition of the mid‐lower crust, and especially shear heating. The weak lower crust from the QLOB to the Alxa block through the Longshou Shan is conducive to the expansion of the plateau, and the active front of northern Tibet is north of the Longshou Shan. Plain Language Summary: The magnificent Tibetan Plateau (TP) was formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates during the Cenozoic. Although various models of TP uplift have been proposed, the growth and lateral expansion of the northern TP remain uncertain. The Qilian orogenic belt (QLOB), as the young edge of the TP, has become of major interest to researchers. In this study, we obtain a high‐resolution 3‐D image of the crustal S‐wave velocity (Vs) structure in the QLOB and its surrounding areas using continuous ambient noise data recoded by a dense seismic array via an ambient noise imaging technique. The results show that the middle‐lower crustal shear wave velocity in the QLOB is relatively low and has an unevenly distributed low‐velocity zone (Vs < 3.4 km/s) at depths of 20–40 km, while that in the Alxa block is normal except for the narrow region protruding through the Longshou Shan. The results shed new light on the crustal structure in the study area and improve our understanding of the growth of northern Tibet. Key Points: High‐resolution 3‐D crustal shear wave velocity images beneath the Qilian orogenic belt are obtained via ambient noise imagingThe growth of northern Tibet in the crust occurs through ductile lower crustal thickening and upper crustal overthrustingThe active front of northern Tibet is north of the Longshou Shan [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high‐resolution 3D images of the crustal S‐wave velocity structure beneath northeastern Tibet, via ambient noise imaging techniques. The data come from continuous recordings taken in one year by a seismic array consisting of 366 broadband stations in the study region. The results show a substantial and pervasive middle crust low‐velocity structure (<3.4 km/s) beneath the plateau region, which partially protrudes northeastward across the West Qinling fault, reflecting channel flow from inside the plateau and material extrusion in the periphery. The growth of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau in the study region is manifested in its northeastward expansion and thickening driven by crustal channel flow, accompanied with upper crust shortening. Plain Language Summary: The growth mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) have been considered controversial for decades. Expansion of the northeastern TP and the interaction with its peripheral area have become of major interest to researchers. In this study, we present a high‐resolution 3D image of the crustal S‐wave velocity structure beneath this area by analyzing the continuous ambient noise data recoded by a dense seismic array via ambient noise imaging techniques. The results show a substantial and pervasive middle crust low‐velocity structure beneath the plateau region, which partially protrudes northeastward across the West Qinling fault, reflecting channel flow from inside the plateau and material extrusion in the periphery. The channel flow slows down gradually with its outward protrusion. The upper and lower crust is decoupled. In addition to the crustal channel flow, upper crust shortening takes part in the growth of the northeastern Tibet. Key Points: High‐resolution 3D crustal shear‐wave velocity images beneath the northeastern Tibetan margin via ambient noise imaging techniquesSubstantial and pervasive middle crustal channel flow is found beneath the northeastern TibetThe northeastward expansion of the northeastern Tibet is driven by crustal channel flow, accompanied with upper crust shortening [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants generally adopt different reproductive strategies to adapt to their environments and increase their fitness. Here, we studied the effects of enclosure cultivation on the reproductive allocation of a wheatgrass species Agropyron mongolicum in the Desert steppes of Northern China. The results showed that: (a) after enclosure cultivation, the height, clump width, coverage, and clump biomass of A. mongolicum significantly increased by 78.96% (p =.040), 63.50% (p =.013), 50.89% (p =.032), and 205.38% (p =.022), respectively, whereas density did not show a significant change (p =.330). (b) Enclosure cultivation significantly affected the biomass of A. mongolicum. Compared with cultivation outside the fence, root, leaf, and spike biomass of A. mongolicum inside the fence significantly increased by 183.52% (p =.020), 334.09% (p =.011), and 381.25% (p =.005), respectively. In addition, root biomass was the highest among the components (38.53 and 13.59 g inside and outside the fence, respectively) and spike biomass was the lowest (6.16 and 1.28 g inside and outside the fence, respectively). (c) Enclosure cultivation affected elemental nutrient allocation and the caloric values of various components of A. mongolicum, and the caloric values are positively correlated with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents. Enclosure cultivation significantly reduced carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the roots, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus in the spikes, but significantly increased nitrogen in the spikes by 9.78%. The caloric values of A. mongolicum inside and outside the fence in decreasing order were as follows: spikes > leaves > stems > roots. Comparison of cultivation effects between inside and outside the fence showed that the caloric values of the spikes and roots significantly increased by 0.92% and 1.60%, respectively, whereas those of the leaves significantly decreased by 0.70%. Our results demonstrate that the reproductive allocation of elemental nutrients and caloric values in nonreproductive and reproductive organs are plastic to arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicochemical properties and application performances of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) are highly dependent on its polymerization degree, thus a facile method for screening the polymerization degree is highly desired. Here, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is creatively employed as an effective tool to achieve this goal. Extension of π‐system and change in pedant groups during g‐CN polymerization process are characterized by g‐CN nanosheets/dissolved oxygen (CNNS/O2) and Ru(bpy)32+/CNNS co‐reactant ECL systems, respectively. Linear intensity enhancement along with positive shift in the onset and peak potentials of cathodic CNNS/O2 ECL, as well as linear intensity decreasing in anodic Ru(bpy)32+/CNNS ECL, are observed during polymerization of dicyandiamide to g‐CN, suggesting the feasibility of ECL on studying the polymerization degree. The ECL method would provide a promising prospect for novel properties exploration and application performances optimization of g‐CN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for a biocompatible co‐reactant for tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has attracted broad attention towards extending its application in the biomedical field. This work investigates the co‐reactant effect of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNSs) on Ru(bpy)32+ ECL. CNNSs enhance the anodic ECL of Ru(bpy)32+ through the ECL interaction between Ru(bpy)33+ and the reductive intermediate of CNNSs, which are generated by either the direct electroreduction of CNNSs or the chemical/electrochemical oxidation of the amine groups on the CNNSs surface by Ru(bpy)33+. The finding may provide a new avenue for the development of self‐enhanced ECL probes and offer a new insight into revealing the surface feature of CNNSs. Helping hand: Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets act as a co‐reactant to enhance the anodic electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raspberry-shaped microparticles with adjustable protrusions and functional groups were synthesized and applied as carriers for the immobilization of lipase. The structural advantages of the raspberry-shaped microcarriers with immobilized lipase (RM-IL) are not only that the protrusions are constructed to play the role of a spacer arm, but the block structure enhances the bioactivity of lipase at the oil-water interface. The activation method used for the carrier has a significant effect on the performance of immobilized lipase. RM-IL prepared by carboxylic acid activation has a 3.5-fold increase of activity compared with that from amine activation and generates a fourfold increase of protein bound to 164 mg g−1 of carrier. Finally, RM-IL is used as an environmentally friendly and high-efficiency biocatalyst to catalyze the esterification of oleic acid for biodiesel under mild conditions, and the conversion can reach up to 82.1 %. Above all, raspberry-shaped microcarriers prepared by an improved seed emulsion polymerization have prospects for industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer microcavities with adjustable openings and surface roughness are fabricated on a large scale via single-hole poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) swelling seed particles. The size of openings of these microcavities can be adjusted by changing the amount of hydrophilic monomer, and the degree of surface roughness is easily regulated relying on the adjustment of the polarity of monomer. Furthermore, the morphology of PGMA/poly(styrene-methacrylic acid) (PGMA/P(S-MAA)) microparticles from microcavity to erythrocyte shape is controlled by the polarity of seed surface. From transmission electron microscopy images of PGMA/P(S-MAA) microparticles, a fresh polymer particle appears in the cavity. To confirm this phenomenon, thermal annealing process in dioxane/water solution is carried out. Considering the flexibility of polymers, the openings and closing of the prepared microparticles are regulated following the increase in volume ratio of dioxane/water. Ball-in-bowl-shaped PGMA/P(S-MAA) microparticles are further presented, which proves secondary nucleation of monomer in the polymerization stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Front Cover shows raspberry ‐ shaped microparticles with adjustable protrusions, designed and synthetized for lipase immobilization. In their Full Paper, Lei Tian et   al. demonstrate the advantages and the originality of their approach: (1)   protrusion structure played the role of spacer arm; (2)   carboxyl activation is more bENeficial to improvemENt of immobilized lipase; (3)   eco ‐ friENdly and high ‐ efficiENcy biocatalyst for catalyzing esterification of oleic acid for biodiesel under mild condition. More information can be found in the Full Paper by Lei Tian et   al. on page   2634 in Issue 16, 2016 (DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201600413). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Front Cover: Polymer microcavities with adjustable openings and surface roughness were fabricated on a large scale via modified seeded emulsion polymerization. Surprisingly the opening size of these microcavities can be adjusted by changing the amount of hydrophilic monomer, and the degree of surface roughness is easily regulated by the adjustment of the monomer polarity. Further details can be found in the article by L. Tian, P. Zhao, X. Li, S. Wang, Z. Ali, B. Zhang, H. Zhang, and Q. Zhang* on page 47. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]