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Perturbations in ribosome biogenesis affect development and increase cancer susceptibility. Here, the authors show that hCINAP is required for 18S rRNA processing, is highly expressed in cancers, and promotes cancer cell growth by upregulating the translation of cancer-associated genes.

A new class of freestanding cross-linked hybrid polymer electrolytes (HPEs) with POSS as the cross-linker was prepared by a one-step free radical polymerization reaction. Octavinyl octasilsesquioxane (OV-POSS) with eight functional corner groups was used to provide cross-linking sites for the connection of polymer segments and the required mechanical strength to separate the cathode and anode. The unique cross-linked structure offers additional free volume for the motion of EO chains and provides fast and continuously interconnected ion-conducting channels along the nanoparticles/polymer matrix interface. The HPE exhibits the highest ionic conductivity of 1.39 × 10−3 S cm−1, as well as excellent interfacial compatibility with the Li electrode at 80°C. In particular, LiFePO4/Li cells based on the HPE deliver good rate capability and long-term cycling performance with an initial discharge capacity of 152.1 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention ratio of 88% after 150 cycles with a current density of 0.5 C at 80°C, demonstrating great potential application in high-performance LIBs at elevated temperatures.

An effective, value-added use of the large amounts of olefinic compounds produced in the processing of petroleum, aside from ethylene and propylene, has been a long outstanding challenge. Here, we developed a novel heterogeneous polymerization method, beyond emulsion/dispersion/suspension, termed self-stabilized precipitation (2SP) polymerization, which involves the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles (NPs) of a well-defined size without the use of any stabilizers and multifunctional monomers (crosslinker). This technique leads to two revolutionary advances: (1) the generation of functional copolymer particles from single olefinic monomer or complex olefinic mixtures (including C4/C5/C9 fractions) in large quantities, which open a new way to transform huge amount of unused olefinic compounds in C4/C5/C9 fractions into valuable copolymers, and (2) the resultant polymeric NPs possess a self-limiting size and narrow size distribution, therefore being one of the most simple, efficient, and green strategies to produce uniform, size-tunable, and functional polymeric nanoparticles. More importantly, the separation of the NPs from the reaction medium is simple and the supernatant liquid can be reused; hence this new synthetic strategy has great potential for industrial production.

The solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system (SASCHCS) is tech-economically feasible for high-rise buildings. Since such a system operates with no auxiliary heat source, the performance coupling of its absorption subsystem and solar collectors is sensitive to the variation of hot water flow rate. In this regard, the relationship of system performance and hot water flow rate is required to be clarified exactly. Therefore, this paper aims to illustrate the effect mechanism of hot water flow rate and to propose the corresponding decision criterion. The case study is based on a typical high-rise office building in subtropical Guangzhou. The daily working process of this system with different hot water flow rates is simulated and analyzed. Subsequently, the useful heat of collectors and cooling capacity of the absorption subsystem with the hot water flow rate is discussed in detail. The results show that the SASCHCS operates with hot water temperatures ranging from 60 °C to 90 °C. The energy saving increases with the rise of hot water flow rate, but such variation tends to be flat for the excessively high flow rate. As the collector flow rate increases from 1 m3/h to 10 m3/h, the daily energy saving improves by 21% in August. Similarly, the daily energy saving increases by 37.5% as generator hot water flow rate increases from 1 m3/h to 10 m3/h. In addition, the collector flow rate of 3.6 m3/h (13.33 (kg/m2 h)) and the generator flow rate of 5.2 m3/h (19.26 (kg/m2 h)) are optimal for the annual operation, with considering power consumption of water pumps. This paper is helpful for the improvement of SASCHCS operating performance.

The solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system (SASCHCS) displays outstanding advantages in high-rise buildings. Since the performance coupling of collectors and absorption subsystems is stronger due to the absence of backup heat and the effect of generator setting temperature has not been realized adequately, it is highly important to study the relationship of SASCHCS operation and the set point temperature of hot water to prevent performance deterioration by inappropriate settings. Therefore, the paper mainly deals with the effect of collector and generator setting temperature. The investigation was based on the entire cooling period of a typical high-rise office building in subtropical Guangzhou. The off-design model of hybrid systems was built at first. Subsequently, the impact mechanism of setting temperature in two hot water cycles on facility operation was analyzed. It was found that the excessive rise of collector setting temperature deteriorated the energy saving, while the appropriate improvement of generator set point temperature was beneficial for the solar cooling. Besides, global optimization by the genetic algorithm displayed that 71.6 °C for the collector setting temperature with 64.5 °C for the generator was optimal for annual operation. The paper is helpful in enhancing the operation performance of SASCHCS.

The performance assessment of any control system plays a key role in industrial control systems. To meet the real-time requirements of modern control systems, a quick and accurate evaluation of the performance of a system is necessary. In this paper, a performance assessment method of a non-Gaussian control system based on mixture correntropy is proposed for non-Gaussian stochastic systems. Mixture correntropy can solve the problem of minimum entropy translation invariance. When the expected output of a system is unavailable, mixture correntropy combined with the estimation of distribution algorithm (EDA) is used for system identification and noise distribution estimation so as to calculate the benchmark of entropy-based performance assessment. When the expected output of a system is available, the mixture correntropy is directly used as the index to evaluate the performance of the system. To improve the real-time aspect of the performance assessment, an improved EDA is presented to obtain the evaluation index more quickly. For both Gaussian and non-Gaussian systems, the mixture correntropy and the improved identification algorithm are used for system performance assessment, and the results are compared with the minimum entropy index and the probability density function (PDF) curve coincident area index. The comparisons verify the rationality and effectiveness of the correntropy index and the rapidity of the improved EDA algorithm.

Plant height is a vital agronomic trait for crops, including oilseed crops such as rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). It affects the crop yield, oil content, and lodging resistance in rapeseed. In this study, we investigated a dwarf trait controlled by a semi-dominant allele in rapeseed. A dwarf line, YA2016-12, was crossed with a tall line, G184-189, and an F2 population was established. Forty of the tallest plants and 40 of the shortest plants from the F2 population were selected and two DNA pools (tall and dwarf) were constructed by the bulked segregant analysis (BSA) method. The two DNA pools and two parental DNAs were then re-sequenced. A sliding window analysis was used to calculate the Δ(SNP-index) and discover an association region on chromosome A03 with a length of 12.4 Mb. Within this region, we found 1225 genes, including 811 genes with non-synonymous or frameshift mutations between YA2016-12 and G184-189. Alignment to known plant height-related orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as KEGG pathway and gene ontology annotations, was used to identify nine candidate genes (BnaA03g31770D, BnaA03g37960D, BnaA03g24740D, BnaA03g40550D, BnaA03g26120D, BnaA03g35130D, BnaA03g42350D, BnaA03g25610D, and BnaA03g39850D) involved in gibberellin or cytokinin signaling. Identification of the causal gene for this trait, and of genetic markers linked to favorable alleles, has potential utility for marker-assisted selection to breed rapeseed varieties with improved height.

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is the gold standard to treat large bone defects, but long consolidation period is a major limitation. Innovative efforts to promote osteogenesis are needed. Porcine brain extract (PBE) was reported to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of multiple primary cells. In this study, we aimed to develop a method for collecting PBE and investigate its effects on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and bone consolidation in a rat DO model. The PBE was collected from neonatal brain tissues of porcine fetus and was used to treat rBMSCs. Following PBE treatment (700 ng/ml), osteogenic differentiation was assessed. Further, we locally injected PBE (7 μg/ml, 100μl) or PBS (100μl) into the gap in a Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rat DO model every three days till termination. X-rays, micro-computed tomography, mechanical testing, histology and immunohischemistry examinations were used to exam the quality of the regenerates. The alkaline phosphatase, calcium deposits, and steogenic markers in the PBE treated rBMSCs were significantly increased. In the rat model, new bone properties of bone volume/total tissue volume and mechanical strength were higher in the PBE treated group. Histological analysis also confirmed more mineralized bone after PBE treatment. The current study reports a standard protocol for PBE collection and demonstrated its positive effects on osteogenic differentiation and bone consolidation in DO. Since the PBE is readily available and very cost effective, PBE may be a potential new bio-source to promote bone formation in patients undergo DO treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163131.].

A CDMA-based mobile Ad Hoc networks face two main design challenges. One is to periodically update connectivity information, namely, neighboring nodes and the codes used by neighboring nodes. The other is to guarantee that there is no code collision in two hops' distance. This paper proposes an enhanced time-spread broadcasting schedule for connectivity information update. Based on the connectivity information, a code assignment and potential code collision resolution scheme to solve hidden/exposed nodes problem is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed schemes.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have innate ability to self-renew and immunosuppressive functions, and differentiate into various cell types. They have become a promising cell source for treating many diseases, particular for bone regeneration. Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disorder with elevated systemic inflammation which in turn triggers enhanced bone loss. We hypothesize that systemic infusion of MSCs may suppress the elevated inflammation in the osteoporotic subjects and slow down bone loss. The current project was to address the following two questions: (1) Will a single dose systemic administration of allogenic MSCs have any effect on osteoporotic bone loss? (2) Will multiple administration of allogenic MSCs from single or multiple donors have similar effect on osteoporotic bone loss? 18 ovariectomized (OVX) rats were assigned into 3 groups: the PBS control group, MSCs group 1 (receiving 2x106 GFP-MSCs at Day 10, 46, 91 from the same donor following OVX) and MSCs group 2 (receiving 2x106 GFP-MSCs from three different donors at Day 10, 46, 91). Examinations included Micro-CT, serum analysis, mechanical testing, immunofluorescence staining and bone histomorphometry analysis. Results showed that BV/TV at Day 90, 135, BMD of TV and trabecular number at Day 135 in the PBS group were significantly higher than those in the MSCs group 2, whereas trabecular spacing at Day 90, 135 was significantly smaller than that in MSCs group 2. Mechanical testing data didn't show significant difference among the three groups. In addition, the ELISA assay showed that level of Rantes in serum in MSCs group 2 was significantly higher than that of the PBS group, whereas IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly lower than those of the PBS group. Bone histomorphometry analysis showed that Oc.S/BS and Oc.N/BS in the PBS group were significant lower than those in MSCs group 2; Ob.S/BS and Ob.N/BS did not show significant difference among the three groups. The current study demonstrated that systemic administration of allogenic MSCs had no obvious effect on osteoporotic bone loss in OVX rats when using the cells from the same donor; and repeated injection of allogeneic MSCs from different donors might promote bone loss in OVX rats. These findings indicate that despite allogenic MSCs systemic infusion is safe, their administration alone may not be an effective mean for preventing osteoporotic bone loss.

This paper presents the impacts of load, source and grid factors on renewable energy accommodation in the northern region of China. Renewable energy curtailment reasons and key measures to improve accommodations are also discussed. The production simulation method is utilized to analysis renewable energy accommodation and the Shapely value method is introduced to calculate the accommodation contribution rate of different factors. The result shows that the amount of renewable energy accommodation is 389 TWh in northern region of China by the year 2020. The contribution rate of load, source and grid factors to renewable energy accommodation are 39%, 35.8% and 25.1%, respectively.

The hybrid between Brassica napus and B. rapa displays obvious heterosis in both growth performance and stress tolerances. A comparative transcriptome analysis for B. napus (AnAnCC genome), B. rapa (ArAr genome), and its hybrid F1 (AnArC genome) was carried out to reveal the possible molecular mechanisms of heterosis at the gene expression level. A total of 40,320 nonredundant unigenes were identified using B. rapa (AA genome) and B. oleracea (CC genome) as reference genomes. A total of 6,816 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mapped in the A and C genomes with 4,946 DEGs displayed nonadditively by comparing the gene expression patterns among the three samples. The coexistence of nonadditive DEGs including high-parent dominance, low-parent dominance, overdominance, and underdominance was observed in the gene action modes of F1 hybrid, which were potentially related to the heterosis. The coexistence of multiple gene actions in the hybrid was observed and provided a list of candidate genes and pathways for heterosis. The expression bias of transposable element-associated genes was also observed in the hybrid compared to their parents. The present study could be helpful for the better understanding of the determination and regulation of mechanisms of heterosis to aid Brassica improvement.

Chronic infection with Schistosoma japonicum is an important cause of hepatic fibrosis (HF). Human 9q33.3 is one of the most important loci for stress-related diseases. We examined the potential associations of 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with S. japonicum infection and HF in epidemic region in China. We identified a SNP (rs10118570 GG in mitogen-activated protein kinase associated protein 1, MAPKAP1) contributes to anti-infection (adjusted OR = 0.35) and anti-fibrogenesis (adjusted RR = 0.44) in the discovery study. Replicative and combined studies showed consistent protective quality for this genotype (replicative: adjusted OR = 0.37 for anti-infection, and adjusted RR = 0.40 for anti-fibrogenesis; Combined: adjusted OR = 0.45 for anti-infection, and adjusted RR = 0.42 for anti-fibrogenesis). Univariate and multivariate analysis in the discovery, replicative and combined studies, suggested that durations (years), splenomegaly, serum ALB and rs10118570 were independent predictors influencing the fibrogenesis. The analysis of gene-gene interaction showed rs10118570 functions independently. We conclude that MAPKAP1 may represent a novel anti-infection and anti-fibrogenesis genomic locus in chronic schistosomiasis japonica. And rs10118570 may be a potential biomarker and target for the treatment of this life-threatening ancient disease.

Global synchronization analysis for complex networks with coupling delay is investigated. Firstly the constant time delay is analyzed and then the case for time-varying delay is considered. Sufficient conditions for network synchronization are given based on Lyapunov functional, linear matrix inequality, and Kronecker product technique. The unknown variables in the sufficient conditions are fewer than those in the recent reference. Moreover, for the time-varying delay case, we find that the conditions are dependent on the bounds of both time delay and its derivative, and the derivative of the time-varying delay can be any value in the bounds. Finally, numerical examples are given to validate the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate and sodium dicyanamide self-assembled in dimethylformamide (DMF) and 4-methylpyridine solutions to form the title compound, [Co(C2N3)2(C6H7N)2]n. The Co2+ ion lies on an inversion center and adopts an octahedral coordination geometry in which four N atoms from four different dicyanamide ligands lie in the equatorial plane and two 4-methylpyridine N atoms occupy the axial positions. The CoII atoms are connected by two bridging dicyanamide ligands, resulting in a chain parallel to the c axis. The chains are connected into a three-dimensional network by C—H...N hydrogen bonds.

Imaging capability has been greatly improved along with the development of remote sensing technology,the image information extraction based on deep learning raises to a new level,and cloud computing makes it possible of processing satellite imagery of big data.These three technologies activated the research on the expected potential commercial and military value,many research institutions joined the strength competition,and attracted a large number of venture capital.The potential value analysis and application based on satellite imagery of big data were summarized,and the next possible technological breakthroughs and the future direction of development were presented.

In the title compound, {[Tb(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgWS4]}n, the polymeric anionic chain {[AgWS4]−}n extends along [001]. The TbIII atom in the cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two nitrate and four hexamethylphosphate ligands in a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the cation is univalent, which leads to the anionic chain having a [WS4Ag] repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain has a distorted linear configuration with W—Ag—W and Ag—W—Ag angles of 161.49 (2) and 153.743 (13) °, respectively. The title complex is isotypic with the Y, Yb, Eu, Nd, La, Dy, Sm and Lu analogues.

In the title compound, [Ca(C2H6OS)6][W6O19], the cation and anion both have a crystallographically imposed centre of symmetry. The CaII atom in the cation is coordinated by six O atoms from six dimethyl sulfoxide ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. The [W6O19]2− isopolyanion possesses the well-known Lindqvist structure in which each WVI atom is coordinated by four μ2-O, one terminal O and one μ6-O atom.

The title complex, [Cu3WBrOS3(C18H15P)3], a neutral heavily distorted cubane-like W/S/Cu cluster, was self-assembled from ammonium trithiotungstate(VI), cuprous bromide and triphenylphosphane in N,N-dimethylformamide. The average Cu—Br, Cu—S and W—μ3-S bond lengths are 2.731 (2), 2.318 (2) and 2.256 (2) Å, respectively, in the distorted cubane-like skeleton. The W atom exhibits tetrahedral geometry, formed by one terminal O atom and three μ3-S atoms; the W—O bond length is 1.728 (6) Å. Each Cu atom is coordinated by one P atom from a triphenylphosphane ligand, and two μ3-S and one μ3-Br atoms, forming a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry.

Through a diffusion reaction, cuprous bromide, triphenylphosphane and 1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)propane (bpp) were self-assembled to form the one-dimensional title compound, [Cu2Br2(C13H14N2)(C18H15P)2]n. Each CuI atom is coordinated by two Br atoms, one P atom from a triphenylphosphane ligand and one N atom from a bpp molecule in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Two μ2-Br bridges connect two [Cu(PPh3)]+ units to form neutral [CuBr(PPh3)]2 dimers, which are linked by the flexible bridging bpp ligands to form a one-dimensional chain structure parallel to the c axis. The dihedral angle between the pyridine rings of the bpp ligand is 34.59 (14)°.

The Sm atom in the cation of the title salt, {[Sm(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgS4W]}n, is coordinated by eight O atoms derived from two chelating nitrate anions, and four hexamethylphosphoramide ligand, defining a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. The anions self-assemble into polymeric chains via W—S—Ag bridges having a [AgS4W] repeat unit; the W—Ag—W and Ag—W—Ag angles are 161.657 (17) and 153.978 (9)°, respectively. The title complex is isostructural with the Y, Yb, Eu, Nd, La and Dy isomorphs.

In the cation of the title compound, {[Y(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgMoS4]}n, the Y atom is coordinated by eight O atoms from two chelating nitrate groups and four hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp) ligands, which gives rise to a distorted square-antiprismatic environment. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the overall charge for the complex cation is +1, which leads to the anionic chain having a monovalent repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain, with Mo—Ag—Mo and Ag—Mo—Ag angles of 161.916 (13) and 153.915 (13)°, respectively, presents a distorted linear configuration. The cations and the anions are linked via weak C—H...S hydrogen-bonding interactions while the cations exhibit intermolecular C—H...O interactions. The structure is isotypic with the corresponding W, Yb, Eu, Nd, La and Dy complexes.

In the title compound, [Cu(C19H12N5)(C2N3)(CH3OH)], the CuII atom is coordinated by three N atoms from an anionic 2,6-bis(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (bbp) ligand, an O atom from a methanol molecule and one N atom from a dicyanamide anion. The crystal structure is stabilized by O—H...N and N—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study indicated that a common variant (rs430397 G>A) in the intron 5 of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) gene was associated with risk and prognosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including HBV- and cirrhosis-related HCC. rs430397 polymorphism may be a contributing factor or biomarker of HBV infection or HBV-related cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 539 non-HBV-infected individuals, 205 self-limited infection and 496 persistent HBV infection were recruited between January 2001 and April 2005 from the hospitals in Southern China. Genomic DNA was genotyped for rs430397. The associations between the variation and susceptibility to liver cirrhosis (LC) in persistent HBV infection were examined. We observed that individuals carrying allele rs430397A were more likely to become HBV-related LC. When persistently infected patients were divided into four subgroups, patients with phase IV had an increased allele A and genotype AG compared with phase I and/or phase III. Decreased serum albumin and prolonged plasma prothrombin time (PT) were showed in LC patients carrying genotype AA. Furthermore, rs430397 genotype had an increased susceptibility to LC with dose-dependent manners (P-trend = 0.005), and the genotype did constitute a risk factor for the development of advanced LC (Child-Pugh classification C and B, P-trend = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: rs430397 polymorphism may be a contributing factor to LC in persistent HBV carriers.

Hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp), tetrathiotungstate, silver sulfide and cerium nitrate were self-assembled to form a one-dimensional anionic [Ag4W4S16]n4n− chain in the title compound, {[Ce(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgWS4]}n. The asymmetric unit contains four crystallographically independent [Ce(hmp)4(NO3)2]+ cations, which leads to a one-dimensional polymeric anionic chain having a tetravalent [W4S16Ag4] repeat unit. Each central Ce atom is coordinated by eight O atoms from two chelating nitrate and four hmp ligands, which gives rise to a distorted square-antiprismatic structure. The polymeric chain with average W—Ag—W and Ag—W—Ag bond angles of 163.75 and 151.84°, respectively, presents a distorted linear configuration. The title complex with a non-centrosymmetric structure, is analogous to the Yb, Y, Eu, Nd, La and Dy isomorphs, which exhibit centrosymmetric structures.

The title compound, {[Cu2I2(C12H8N6)(C18H15P)2]·2CH3CN}n, contains centrosymmetric dinuclear Cu2I2(PPh3)2 units bridged by 3,6-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine ligands lying also across crystallographic inversion centers, giving a chain structure in the ab plane. The distorted tetrahedral CuI atoms in the dinuclear unit are coordinated by two bridging iodide anions, one pyridine N atom from the substituted tetrazine ligand and one terminal triphenylphosphine P-atom donor. The Cu...Cu distance is 2.8293 (12) Å, implying a weak Cu...Cu interaction.

Hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp), tetrathiomolybdate, silver sulfide and dysprosium nitrate were self-assembled to form an anionic [AgMoS4]nn− chain in the title complex, {[Dy(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgMoS4]}n. The central Dy atom in the cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two nitrate and four hmp ligands, resulting in a distorted square-antiprismatic environment. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the cation is monovalent, which leads to the anionic chain having an [AgMoS4] repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain, with Mo—Ag—Mo and Ag—Mo—Ag angles of 161.911 (13) and 154.014 (13)°, respectively, presents a distorted linear configuration. The title complex is isostructural with the W analogue.

Hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp), tetrathiotungstate, silver sulfide and dysprosium nitrate were self-assembled, forming an anionic [AgWS4]nn− chain in the title compound, {[Dy(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgWS4]}n. The central Dy atom in the cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two didentate nitrate and four hmp ligands, giving rise to a distorted square antiprismatic structure. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the cation is univalent, which leads to the anionic chain having a [WS4Ag] repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain, with W—Ag—W and Ag—W—Ag angles 161.16 (2) and 153.606 (11)°, respectively, presents a distorted linear configuration. The title compound is isotypic with other rare earth complexes.

In the title compound, [Ag2(C2N3)2(C10H8N2)]n, the Ag atoms, lying on inversion centers, are separated by 3.3226 (12) Å. Each Ag atom is connected by one bridging 4,4′-bipyridine [Ag—N = 2.177 (4)Å] and a terminal dicyanamide [Ag—N = 2.108 (4) Å]. The Ag—Ag interactions play a key role in constructing a unique neutral polymeric chain.

In the title compound, [Cd(C2N3)2(C3H7NO)2], the Cd2+ ion lies on an inversion center and adopts an octahedral coordination geometry, in which four N atoms from four different dicyanamide ligands lie in the equatorial plane and two dimethylformamide O atoms occupy the axial positions. The Cd atoms are connected by two dicyanamide ligands, resulting in a neutral chain propagating parallel to [010].

In the title compound, [Cu(C2N3)2(C13H14N2)]n, the CuII atom, located on an inversion centre, adopts a distorted octahedral coordination by six N atoms, two from 1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane and four from dicyanamide ligands, with significantly different Cu—N distances. The metal centres are linked in an unusual triple-bridged mode into chains parallel to [101].

In the title compound, {[Nd(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgWS4]}n, the central Nd atom of the monovalent cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two nitrate and four hexamethylphosphoramide ligands. The monovalent anion, {[WS4Ag]−}n, forms a polymeric chain in a distorted linear configuration with W—Ag—W and Ag—W—Ag angles of 163.81 (3) and 154.786 (12)°, respectively. Thirteen C and three N atoms are disordered equally over two positions. One C atom is disordered over two positions with site occupancy factors of 0.6 and 0.4.

Hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp), tetrathiotungstate(VI), silver sulfide and lanthanum(III) nitrate are self-assembled to form discrete cations one-dimensional poylmeric anionic chains [AgWS4]nn− in the title compound, {[La(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgWS4]}n. The central La atom in the cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two nitrate and four hmp ligands. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the cation is monovalent, which leads to the anionic chain having a monovalent repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain with W...Ag...W and Ag...W...Ag angles of 165.94 (3) and 155.894 (14)° presents a distorted linear configuration. Five N atoms, 18 C atoms and their attached H atoms are disordered equally over two positions.

A new W/S/Cu cluster, [Cu3WIS4(C21H21O3P)3]·C3H7NO, was formed by the reaction of ammonium tetrathiotungstate(VI), cuprous iodide and tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine in N,N-dimethylformamide. The title compound exhibits a heavily distorted cubane-like skeleton in which the average Cu—I, Cu—S and W—μ3-S distances are 2.934, 2.302 and 2.249 Å, respectively. The W atom exhibits tetrahedral geometry, formed by three μ3-S and one terminal S atom; the W—S(terminal) bond length is 2.1426 (13) Å. Each Cu atom is coordinated by one P atom from a tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine (mop), two μ3-S and one μ3-I atom, forming a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. Some of the mop ligand methyl groups have large librations. Together with the three neutral mop ligands, the title compound is neutral; this contrasts with the all-halogen-coordinated Mo/S/Ag clusters with the same structure, which carry negative charge.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent type of regulated cell death resulting from extensive lipid peroxidation and plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the regulatory mechanisms for ferroptosis sensitivity remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that homozygous deletion of Usp8 (ubiquitin-specific protease 8) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) leads to architectural changes in the colonic epithelium and shortens mouse lifespan accompanied by increased IEC death and signs of lipid peroxidation. However, mice with heterozygous deletion of Usp8 in IECs display normal phenotype and become resistant to azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colorectal tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, USP8 interacts with and deubiquitinates glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), leading to GPX4 stabilization. Thus, USP8 inhibition destabilizes GPX4 and sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis in vitro. Notably, USP8 inhibition in combination with ferroptosis inducers retards tumor growth and enhances CD8+ T cell infiltration, which potentiates tumor response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in vivo. These findings uncover that USP8 counteracts ferroptosis by stabilizing GPX4 and highlight targeting USP8 as a potential therapeutic strategy to boost ferroptosis for enhancing cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]