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Cobalamin (Cbl)-dependent radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) proteins constitute the largest collection of the radical SAM superfamily that has hundreds of thousands of individual members. Many of these proteins are involved in the biosynthesis of pharmaceutically important natural products to catalyze chemically demanding reactions. In the biosynthetic pathway of chuangxinmycin (CXM), a unique indole alkaloid antibiotic with potent anti-infective activity, functionalization of the characteristic thiopyrano[4,3,2-cd]indole scaffold by regio- and stereoselective C3-methylation is believed to rely on a Cbl-dependent radical process, which, however, remained to be reconstituted biochemically. We here report the dissection of this enzymatic process, which requires the incorporation of Cxm8, a Cbl-dependent radical SAM protein, with Cxm9, a DUF5825 family protein that shares no homology to any proteins of known functions. Cxm8 and Cxm9 function together by forming an unexpected heterodimeric complex that selectively catalyzes C3-methylation of the tricyclic indole-S-hetero ring system in a successive manner, achieving CXM and a recently identified, C3-dimethylated congener. Detailed biochemical characterization, isotope labeling, structural simulation and bioinformatics analysis rationalized the catalysis of the Cxm8/Cxm9 complex and particularly the necessity of the DUF5825 protein for C3-methylase activity. This is the first example that a Cbl-dependent protein acts with a partner to exhibit radical SAM activity.

In this study, we designed a terahertz (THz) detector chip based on field-effect transistors utilizing a standard 55-nm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor process. The chip includes eight different detector structures to explore the impact of various factors on detector performance. Each detector, characterized by its unique structural design, exhibited varying levels of parasitic capacitance, port impedance matching, and asymmetry, all impacting the detector's responsivity (Rv). Building on the previous nonquasi-static model, this research introduced a comprehensive THz detector model by incorporating plasma wave detection theory, antenna impedance, parasitic effects of the detector, port impedance, and load effects. We also derived the mathematical expression for Rv in the nonresonant mode. The multiple different structures detectors integrated with antenna-on-chip achieved the maximum Rv of 437.6V/W and the minimum noise-equivalent power (NEP) of 119 pW/Hz1/2 at 2.58 THz. We then conducted scanning imaging on a paper envelope containing a screw. The appearance of the screw and the details of creases at various thicknesses on the envelope were clearly visible. Analysis indicated that the detector's Rv and NEP are closely linked to several factors, including the match between the antenna and the detector, the parasitic capacitance at the THz wave coupling site, the maximization of THz wave energy coupled to the detector, the appropriate size of the detector, and the asymmetry between the source and drain.

Image harmonization aims to address inharmony between the foreground and background of composite images. Current methods mainly adopt the encoder-decoder reconstruction architecture, which restricts their application to high-resolution images due to heavy resource cost. Inspired by Photoshop, whether we can leverage some adjustment tools to apply on composite images to generate harmonized ones. This paper gives an answer “yes”, and explores a new viewpoint to address image harmonization problem by lookup tables (LUTs) rather than reconstruct full images, which saves a lot of memory. Specifically, a deep model is utilized to encode the down-sampled version of the input image as style-relevant weights to fuse multiple basic LUTs into image-adaptive ones, which are employed to transform the global color of the foreground in source high-resolution composite image to be harmonious with the background. Besides, a spatial attention module is applied to learn the spatial map for revising preliminary LUTs transformation as well as raising the local spatial awareness of the image-adaptive LUTs. Extensive experiments show that our method achieves competitive performance both qualitatively and quantitatively with a smaller model size.

ABSTRACTAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly, and there is currently no clinical treatment targeting the primary impairment of AMD. The earliest clinical hallmark of AMD is drusen, which are yellowish spots mainly composed of lipid droplets (LDs) accumulated under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). However, the potential pathogenic role of this excessive LD accumulation in AMD is yet to be determined, partially due to a lack of chemical tools to manipulate LDs specifically. Here, we employed our recently developed Lipid Droplets·AuTophagy Tethering Compounds (LD∙ATTECs) to degrade LDs and to evaluate its consequence on the AMD-like phenotypes in apoe−/−(apolipoprotein E; B6/JGpt-Apoeem1Cd82/Gpt) mouse model. apoe−/−mice fed with high-fat diet (apoe−/−-HFD) exhibited excessive LD accumulation in the retina, particularly with AMD-like phenotypes including RPE degeneration, Bruch’s membrane (BrM) thickening, drusen-like deposits, and photoreceptor dysfunction. LD·ATTEC treatment significantly cleared LDs in RPE/choroidal tissues without perturbing lipid synthesis-related proteins and rescued RPE degeneration and photoreceptor dysfunction in apoe−/−-HFD mice. This observation implied a causal relationship between LD accumulation and AMD-relevant phenotypes. Mechanically, the apoe−/−-HFD mice exhibited elevated oxidative stress and inflammatory signals, both of which were mitigated by the LD·ATTEC treatment. Collectively, this study demonstrated that LD accumulation was a trigger for the process of AMD and provided entry points for the treatment of the initial insult of AMD by degrading LDs.Abbreviations:AMD: age-related macular degeneration; APOE: apolipoprotein E; ATTECs: autophagy-tethering compounds; BODIPY: boron-dipyrromethene; BrM: Bruch’s membrane; ERG: electroretinogram; HFD: high-fat diet; LD·ATTECs: Lipid Droplets·AuTophagy Tethering Compounds; LDs: lipid droplets; OA: oleic acid; OPL: outer plexiform layer; ROS: reactive oxygen species; RPE: retinal pigment epithelium

To obtain the precise calculation method for the peak energy density and energy evolution properties of rocks subjected to uniaxial compression (UC) before the post-peak stage, particularly at σ ≥ 0.9σc(σdenotes stress and σcis the peak strength), extensive UC and uniaxial graded cyclical loading-unloading (GCLU) tests were performed on four rock types. In the GCLU tests, four unloading stress levels were designated when σ < 0.9σcand six unloading stress levels were designated for σ ≥ 0.9σc. The variations in the elastic energy density (ue), dissipative energy density (ud), and energy storage efficiency (C) for the four rock types under GCLU tests were analyzed. Based on the variation of uewhen σ≥ 0.9σc, a method for calculating the peak energy density was proposed. The energy evolution in rock under UC condition before the post-peak stage was examined. The relationship between C0.9(Cat σ ≥ 0.9σc) and mechanical behavior of rocks was explored, and the damage evolution of rock was analyzed in view of energy. Compared with that of the three existing methods, the accuracy of the calculation method of peak energy density proposed in this study is higher. These findings could provide a theoretical foundation for more accurately revealing the failure behavior of rock from an energy perspective.

To investigate the influence of thermal treatment on the rockburst in granite caverns, true-triaxial compression tests were conducted on pre-heated granite cubic samples containing a circular through-hole using a true-triaxial test system, and the micro camera was used to monitor and record the rockburst process in realtime. Test results show that the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus first increase and then decrease as the temperature increases, which reach the maximums at 200 °C and sharply decrease at temperatures from 400 to 600 °C. The density and P-wave velocity decrease and the peak strain increases with increasing temperature. The main failure mode is X-shaped shear-tension failure at 25 and 200 °C, and single-slope shear failure at 400 and 600 °C. Thermal treatment exhibits slight effect on the rockburst incubation process in granite caverns. The stress required for rockburst decreases when the temperature increases or decreases from 200 °C. The higher the temperature, the lower the required stress. At 25 and 200 °C, rockburst is violent, and fine particles and large slabs are mainly produced; at 400 and 600 °C, the intensity of rockburst is relatively weak, and fine particles are mainly generated. Thermal treatment exhibits double effects on rockburst. The mechanism of thermal treatment on granite rockburst is the strengthening effect caused by water loss and the weakening effect caused by thermal expansion cracking. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the stability analysis and rockburst prevention of temperature-affected granite caverns.

An ultraconformable skin-like integrated wireless charging micro-supercapacitor (IWC-MSC) could be wireless charged to store electricity into high capacitive micro-supercapacitors (11.39 F cm−3), and fits well with human surface.Building blocks of IWC-MSC skin are all evaporated by liquid precursor, and each part of the device attached firmly benefitting from the liquid permeation, forming a compact and all-in-one configuration.The electrode thickness easily regulated varying from 11.7 to 112.5 μm by controlling the volume of electrode solution precursor.

Seal removal aims to eliminate the seal portion from documents to facilitate better OCR and documentreconstruction. However, existing seal removal methods often lack publicly available code and pre-trained models, and suffer from a lack of publicly available seal datasets. To address these issues, we propose DeSeal for seal removal and introduce a SealBank dataset containing 100K paired seal images. In DeSeal, we introduce the Semantic-Aware Seal2Clear Attention and Color-Adapter Module, where the former identifies seal regions in the entire image and focuses on removing seals from these areas, while the latter significantly improves the model's generalization performance, enabling it to perform well on both real and synthetic data. Experimental results on the SealBank dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed DeSeal.

Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are inherently resistant to many viruses but, paradoxically, possess fewer acidic phagosomes that enable antigen retention and cross-presentation. We report that palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1), which catabolizes lipid-modified proteins in neurons, is highly expressed in cDC1s. PPT1-deficient DCs are more susceptible to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection, and mice with PPT1 deficiency in cDC1s show impaired response to VSV. Conversely, PPT1-deficient cDC1s enhance the priming of naive CD8+ T cells into tissue-resident KLRG1+ effectors and memory T cells, resulting in rapid clearance of tumors and Listeria monocytogenes. Mechanistically, PPT1 protects steady state DCs from viruses by promoting antigen degradation and endosomal acidification via V-ATPase recruitment. After DC activation, immediate down-regulation of PPT1 is likely to facilitate efficient cross-presentation, production of costimulatory molecules and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, PPT1 acts as a molecular rheostat that allows cDC1s to crossprime efficiently without compromising viral resistance. These results suggest potential therapeutics to enhance cDC1-dependent crosspriming.

ABSTRACTThis study examines the effectiveness of a school-based healthy eating intervention program, the Healthy Highway Program, for improving healthy eating knowledge and healthy food choice behavior among elementary school students. Adopting the key aspects of social cognitive theory into the healthy eating promotion strategies at school, the program helped students raise the value of good health and nutrition, identify the benefits of adopting healthy eating patterns, develop practical skills for reading food labels and make healthy food choices through observation and hand-on experiences.After intervention, based on pretest–posttest design, statistically significant more students improved their healthy eating literacy by telling ‘healthy (green light) and unhealthy (red light)’ foods among their daily food choices. For example, after the intervention, statistically significant more K–2nd graders became to perceive French fries as ‘red’ food (from 41.9% to 61.2%). Similar changes happened among 3rd–5th graders regarding broccoli, bacon, banana, and green beans. Continuing positive intervention effects were found at the school lunch food choice behavior too. The positive findings of the present study can be attributed to the effective program design and curriculum content as well as to the educational workshops organized for teachers who volunteered to implement the Healthy Highway Programs into their classroom curricula.

Tropical cyclone–induced heavy precipitation (TCP) can have a detrimental impact on human productivity, causing significant economic losses and even human casualties in coastal countries every year. In this review article, the authors highlight the latest research developments in terms of ocean–atmosphere interactions and TCP, and identify the gaps where further research is required to enhance our understanding. The paper revolves around the following topics: (1) the characteristics of TCP over the ocean; (2) how air–sea interface processes, including sea surface temperature, sea-salt aerosols, and sea spray, influence TCP development; (3) the effects of TCP on the ocean; and (4) TCP changes in the context of global warming. In addition, directions and suggestions for future research toward a more comprehensive understanding of TCP–ocean interactions are discussed. Overall, this review summarizes the recent research progress and challenges in TCP–ocean interactions, and could serve as a guide for improvements in convective parameterization schemes and climate models toward predicting TCP distribution and intensity more accurately.

ABSTRACTA trial was conducted to verify the effect of hydrogen cyanamide (HC) application on endodormancy release and blooming of ‘Summit’ sweet cherry trees, as well as on endogenous gibberellic acids (GAs) and abscisic acid (ABA) levels which were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in branches with spurs. Results showed that HC efficiently hastened endodormancy release and budbreak, shortened blooming duration and improved fruit set. Furthermore, bioactive GAs play different roles in the process of endodormancy release and blooming. GA3was recognised as the highest isomer of bioactive GA and was closely related with endodormancy release improved by HC treatment as well as GA4. GA7displayed a rapid increase when buds went into the burst stage and associated with promoted budburst and blooming by HC treatment. GA1showed irregular changes during this process. A higher GAs:ABA ratio was observed in HC-treated ‘Summit’ branches from endodormancy release until full bloom. However, a reciprocal pattern occurred thereafter due to senescence of the flowers.

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The article evaluates exhibitions like "New Body of Work" by Fang Lijun in Geneva, Switzerland from May 13 to June 6, 2014; "Sonic Blossom" by Lee Mingwei in Beijing, China from April 26 to May 18, 2014; and "Confluence and Transcendence" by Yin Baokang in Beijing from May 24 to June 3, 2014.

A study conducted by researchers at Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua, China, explores the use of flexible ultrasonic-induced wireless energy conversion (UWEC) technology in implantable medical devices. The study highlights the advantages of UWEC technology, such as improved energy transmission efficiency, safety, and biocompatibility compared to traditional electromagnetic wireless energy conversion technology. The research focuses on two types of flexible UWEC technologies, triboelectric nanogenerators and piezoelectret nanogenerators, and discusses their applications in implantable medical treatments. The study concludes by discussing perspectives and opportunities for further research in this field. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Foshan University in the People's Republic of China discusses new research on telocytes (TCs) in the myocardium of bullfrogs. TCs are interstitial cells that are believed to play a role in tissue repair and regeneration. The study used light and transmission electron microscopy to identify TCs in the bullfrog myocardium and examine their structural relationships with neighboring cell types. The findings provide anatomical evidence supporting the involvement of TCs in tissue regeneration. This research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Anatomia Histologia Embryologia. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from China Agricultural University have developed a rapid and reliable immunochromatographic assay for the simultaneous detection of three polyether ionophore antibiotics in chicken muscle. The assay, which uses colloidal gold, was found to be sensitive and accurate, with a testing process that can be completed within 15 minutes. The method could be used for on-site screening and determination of antibiotic residues in chicken muscle samples. The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the event Fantastic Art China organized to celebrate Chinese New Year in New York featuring the Lincoln Center Public Art Exhibition, a Creative Bazaar at the Lincoln Center, a lighting event at the Empire State Building and a firework show over the Hudson River.

Keywords: Wenzhou; People's Republic of China; Asia; Cancer; Carcinomas; Diagnostics and Screening; Health and Medicine; Liver Cancer; Oncology EN Wenzhou People's Republic of China Asia Cancer Carcinomas Diagnostics and Screening Health and Medicine Liver Cancer Oncology 649 649 1 05/22/23 20230523 NES 230523 2023 MAY 23 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Cancer Weekly -- Researchers detail new data in Oncology - Liver Cancer. According to news reporting out of Wenzhou, People's Republic of China, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "Liver cancer is generally considered the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contributes to more than 90% of liver cancers. [Extracted from the article]

2022 SEP 17 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Current study results on siRNA-based therapy have been published. According to news [...]

2022 JAN 22 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week -- Investigators publish new report on acute kidney injury. According to news originating [...]