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Phytophthora root and stem rot in soybean (Glycine max) is a destructive disease worldwide, and hence improving crop resistance to the causal pathogen, P. sojae , is a major target for breeders. However, it remains largely unclear how the pathogen regulates the various affected signaling pathways in the host, which consist of complex networks including key transcription factors and their targets. We have previously demonstrated that GmBTB/POZ enhances soybean resistance to P. sojae and the associated defense response. Here, we demonstrate that GmBTB/POZ interacts with the transcription factor GmAP2 and promotes its ubiquitination. GmAP2 -RNAi transgenic soybean hairy roots exhibited enhanced resistance to P. sojae , whereas roots overexpressing GmAP2 showed hypersensitivity. GmWRKY33 was identified as a target of GmAP2, which represses its expression by directly binding to the promoter. GmWRKY33 acts as a positive regulator in the response of soybean to P. sojae. Overexpression of GmBTB/POZ released the GmAP2-regulated suppression of GmWRKY33 in hairy roots overexpressing GmAP2 and increased their resistance to P. sojae. Taken together, our results indicate that GmBTB/POZ-GmAP2 modulation of the P. sojae resistance response forms a novel regulatory mechanism, which putatively regulates the downstream target gene GmWRKY33 in soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) has been regarded as a promising means to store renewable electricity in the form of value-added chemicals or fuels. However, most of the present eCO2RR studies focus on the conversion of pure CO2. The CO2 valorisation chain – from CO2 capture to the eCO2RR – requires significant energy and capital inputs in each of the capture, purification, conversion, and product separation steps. The integration of upstream CO2 capture and downstream electrochemical conversion by direct electrolysis of capture media, such as amine and carbonate salts, offers a potential solution to energy- and cost-efficient utilisation of CO2. In this perspective, we first summarise the present advances in the direct eCO2RR from CO2-capture media. We then focus on potential development directions of materials and systems that boost the process to a phase of high selectivity towards valuable products (e.g., syngas, ethylene, and ethanol). We conclude by highlighting the major challenges and emerging opportunities in the area of integrated electrochemical CO2 utilisation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Our earlier work in the ultrasonograpy of localized scleroderma (LS) suggests that altered levels of echogenicity and vascularity can be associated with disease activity. Utrasound is clinically benign and readily available, but can be limited by operator dependence. We present our efforts to standardize image acquisition and interpretation of pediatric LS to better evaluate the correlation between specific sonographic findings and disease activity. Methods Several meetings have been held among our multi-center group (LOCUS) to work towards standardizing sonographic technique and image interpretation. Demonstration and experience in image acquisition were conducted at workshop meetings. Following meetings in 2007, an ultrasound measure was developed to standardize evaluation of differences in echogenicity and vascularity. Based upon our initial observations, we have labeled this an ultrasound disease activity measure. This preliminary measure was subsequently evaluated on over 180 scans of pediatric LS lesions. This review suggested that scoring levels should be expanded to better capture the range of observed differences. The revised levels and their definitions were formulated at a February 2009 workshop meeting. We have also developed assessments for scoring changes in tissue thickness and lesion size to better determine if these parameters aid evaluation of disease state. Results We have standardized our protocol for acquiring ultrasound images of pediatric LS lesions. A wide range of sonographic differences has been seen in the dermis, hypodermis, and deep tissue layers of active lesions. Preliminary ultrasound assessments have been generated. The disease activity measure scores for altered levels of echogenicity and vascularity in the lesion, and other assessments score for differences in lesion tissue layer thickness and changes in lesion size. Conclusions We describe the range of sonographic differences found in pediatric LS, and present our efforts to standardize ultrasound acquisition and image interpretation for this disease. We present ultrasound measures that may aid evaluation of disease state. These assessments should be considered a work in progress, whose purpose is to facilitate further study in this area. More studies are needed to assess their validity and reliability.

This paper proposes an improved particle swarm optimization to study the forward kinematic of a solar tracking device which has two rotational and one translational degree of freedom. The forward kinematics of the parallel manipulator is transformed into an optimization problem by solving the inverse kinematics equations. The proposed method combines inertial weight with the iterations number and the distance between current swarm particles and the optimum to improve convergence ability and speed. The novel cognitive and social parameters are adjusted by the inertia weight to enhance unity and intelligence of the algorithm. A stochastic mutation is used to diversify swarm for faster convergence via local optima evasion in high dimensional complex optimization problems. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by applying it to four benchmark functions and comparing convergence with three popular particle swarm optimization methods to verify the feasibility of the improved method. The behaviors of the proposed method using variable cognitive and social parameters and fixed value are also tested to verify fast convergence speed of variable parameters method. And further, an application example uses the method to determine the forward kinematics of a three-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulator. Finally, the mechanism simulations model of the parallel manipulator are carefully built and analyzed to verify the correctness of the proposed algorithm in PTC Creo Parametric software. In all cases tested, the proposed algorithm achieved much faster convergence and either improved or proximal fitness values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of urbanization and industrialization, Ziya River Plain (ZYRP) had become one of the most polluted regions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in north China. The distribution of PAHs in sediments were investigated, and then their sources and risks were evaluated. The results showed that the total PAHs varied from 3372 to 92,948 μg/kg, and heavy pollution was found in the upstream. Both the isomer pair ratios of PAH and principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that fossil fuel combustion was the mainly contributes (69.1%), followed by wood and coal combustion (26.7%). The ecological risk for the whole area was moderate, with the highest risk in Niuwei River (NWR). and significant correlation was found between the ecological risk and high-molecular-weight (HMW) of PAHs (r2 > 0.99, p < 0.01). Our findings would give insights into the mitigation of sedimentary PAHs pollution in north China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is associated with sugarcane yellow leaf disease (SCYLD) and is considered to be the most economically deleterious emerging pathogen that represents a potential threat and danger to sugarcane cultivation in China. Over the last two decades, high genetic diversity in the SCYLV genotypes was observed worldwide, with a greater chance of YLD incidence for sugarcane injury. SCYLV infection has significantly damaged its economic traits and is responsible for substantial losses in biomass production in sugarcane cultivars. This study aims to identify and analyse sugarcane microRNAs (miRNAs) as therapeutic targets against SCYLV using plant miRNA prediction tools. Mature sugarcane miRNAs are retrieved and are used for hybridisation of the SCYLV. A total of seven common sugarcane miRNAs were selected based on consensus genomic positions. The biologically significant, top ranked ssp-miR528 was consensually predicted to have a potentially unique hybridisation site at nucleotide position 4162 for targeting the ORF5 of the SCYLV genome; this was predicted by all the algorithms used in this study. Then, the miRNA–mRNA regulatory network was generated using the Circos algorithm, which was used to predict novel targets. There are no acceptable commercial SCYLV-resistant sugarcane varieties available at present. Therefore, the predicted biological data offer valuable evidence for the generation of SCYLV-resistant sugarcane plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The paper was to clarify the occurrence of sugarcane ratoon stunting disease (R.SD) in Hainan sugarcane-growing areas. [Method] In 2019, 270 samples of sugarcane leaves were collected from six main sugarcane-growing areas in Hainan Province, and R.SD was detected by PCR assay with specific primers. [Result] RSD was detected out in 41 out of 270 sugarcane samples, with an average detection rate of 15.19%. The detection rates of RSD were different in six sugarcane-growing areas; the detection rate of RSD in Danzhou sugarcane-growing area was the highest of 22.00%; the detection rate of RSD in Lingao sugarcane-growing area was the lowest of 9.26%. RSD was detected out in 8 out of 10 main sugarcane cultivars, among which Xintaitang 22 suffered the heaviest damage, with the positive detection rate of 45.83%; RSD had not been detected out in Zhongtang 1 and Zhongtang 2, while the positive detection rates of RSD in the remaining seven sugarcane cultivars were 10.00%-31.25%. [Conclusion] RSD commonly occurs in Hainan sugarcane-growing areas. The research results provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of RSD and promotion and application of healthy virus-free sugarcane seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and 90% of its origin is from squamous cells. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), an enzyme overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma, plays an important role in proliferation and chemoresistance. The main aims were to study the inhibitory effect of ß-lapachone (ARQ761 in clinical form) in HNSCC and to study the combinational effect of 5-FU and ß-lap in improving the therapeutic efficacy in HNSCC. Lipid bilayer–assembled mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with 5-FU/ß-lap were prepared and studied for its physicochemical and biological properties. ß-lap showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of NQO1 enzyme activity in Cal33 cells. Notably, significant inhibitory effect was observed at a dose of 20–50 μg/ml of ß-lap. Combination of 5-FU+ß-lap resulted in lower cell viability; most notably, 5-FU/ß-lap-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (FNQ-MSN) exhibited significantly lower cell viability compared with that of any of the individual drug or physical combinations. ß-lap resulted in a decrease in the protein band of NQO1 compared with control; however, most notable decrease in the NQO1 level was observed in the FNQ-MSN-treated cell group. FNQ-MSN resulted in more than 60% of cell apoptosis (early and late apoptosis) and predominant nuclear fragmentation of cancer cells indicating the superior anticancer effect of a carrier-based combination regimen. Notable decrease in tumor volume was observed with the physical mixture of 5-FU+ß-lap; however, combined treatment of carrier-based 5-FU and ß-lap (FNQ-MSN) significantly delayed the tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing xenograft mice. These findings suggest the potential of NQO1 inhibitor in enhancing the chemotherapeutic potential of 5-FU in the treatment of HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]