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According to the urgent low latency and the heavy computation tasks demands required for sixth‐generation (6G) wireless networks, the authors introduce the conventional resource allocation algorithms, including the game theory, artificial‐intelligence (AI) methods, and matching theory enabled framework, in which the multi‐access edge computing (MEC) scheme collaborative with the cloud platform to serve the primary users (PUs) and cognitive users (CUs) for next generation multiple access (NGMA). The proposed framework allows both the PUs and CUs to offload their computation tasks in a 6G‐enabled cognitive radio (CR) networks, so called cloud‐assisted CR‐MEC networks. In particular, the fundamentals of this conceived networks based on NGMA are first introduced. Hence, a number of methods based on the resource allocation algorithms are proposed in order to improve the quality of service for the mobile users, and reduce their transmission latency as well as the energy consumptions. Moreover, the motivations, challenges, and representative models for these conventional algorithms are described for integrated‐intelligent communication and computing aided NGMA networks. Furthermore, the open issues and future research directions for this conceived networks are summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full genomic sequence shows HLA‐G*01:19 differs from HLA‐G*01:04:01:01 only at position 99 in exon 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in Experimental Dermatology, explores the levels of interleukin 38 (IL-38) in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), an autoimmune bullous disease. The study found that patients with PV had significantly lower serum levels of IL-38 compared to healthy controls. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed reduced expression of IL-38 in the epidermal layers of PV patients' skin. These findings suggest that IL-38 may play a role in modulating inflammatory responses and could have implications for understanding autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. However, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these preliminary findings. [Extracted from the article]

In order to meet the current needs of power transmission, people have turned their attention to direct current (DC) transmission. When the alternating current(AC) power grid (PG) fails, it is easy to cause commutation failure in the DC system, thereby increasing the fault scope of the system. Therefore, this article adopts a flexible DC transmission system. Flexible DC converters have many control parameters, and there are mutual influences and conflicts between these parameters. By applying intelligent algorithms to multi‐objective optimization (MOP), these complex MOP problems can be effectively solved and an optimal set of control parameter combinations can be found. This method has an important contribution and novelty for optimizing the converter control parameters of flexible DC transmission systems. This article achieves fast and accurate MOP of the control parameters of flexible DC transmission converters by continuously detecting the similarities between antibodies and maintaining the diversity of the population. The research results show that the average DC side current is about 405A in the first 20 seconds, and the DC side current fluctuates regularly after 20 seconds. This article lays the foundation for establishing a real‐time simulation model of flexible DC transmission systems suitable for real‐time simulation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of high‐performance electrodes is a key factor restricting the development of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), and usually a certain type of electrode material alone often fails to combine the merits of high capacity and good conductivity. Herein, nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC) was used as a multifunctional bridge to uniformly compound high‐capacity MoS2 nanoparticles with highly conductive Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to form Ti3C2Tx@MoS2/NC composite with flower‐like architecture. Ultrafine MoS2 nanoparticles were uniformly anchored on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to form nanosheets primary building blocks with a sandwich‐like architecture, which not only shortens the ion transfer distance but also enlarges the layer spacing of Ti3C2Tx favoring the storage of more sodium ions as well as their transport capacity. Moreover, the flower‐like structures with abundant edges can provide an ample active sites and high pseudocapacitance behavior. As a result, flower‐like Ti3C2Tx@MoS2/NC displays a high electrochemical properties with an excellent cycling stability over 2000 cycles (81.4 % capacity retention) and preeminent rate capacity of 383 mAh g−1 at 30 A g−1. Furthermore, Ti3C2Tx@MoS2/NC‖Na3V2(PO4)3 full cell displays a capacity of 59 mAh g−1 at 0.4 A g−1 after 180 cycles. This work displays a high‐performance anode composite for SIBs and provides insight into the preparation of other composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a magnetic borate‐functionalized MXene composite with multiple boronic affinity sites was fabricated by embedding Fe3O4 nanoparticles with 4‐formylphenylboronic acid functionalized Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and served as sorbent for the simultaneous extraction of catecholamines (CAs) in urine samples. The morphology and structure of the magnetic materials were investigated using scanning microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer, and X‐ray diffraction. The introduction of polyethyleneimine can amplify the bonded boronic acid groups, thereby effectively improving the adsorption capacities for CAs based on the multiple interactions of boronic affinity, hydrogen bonding, and metal coordination. The adsorption performance was investigated using the kinetics and isotherms models, and the main parameters that influence the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the most favorable magnetic solid‐phase extraction condition, a sensitive method for the analysis of CAs in urine samples was developed by combining magnetic solid‐phase extraction conditions with high‐performance liquid chromatography detection. The findings illustrated that the proposed approach possessed a wide linearity range of 0.05–250 ng/mL with an acceptable correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.9984) and detection limits of 0.010–0.015 ng/mL for the target CAs. The research not only provides a notable composite with multiple boronic affinity sites but also offers an effective and feasible measure for the detection of CAs in biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a borate hyper‐crosslinked polymer was synthesized by crosslinking 1‐naphthalene boric acid and dimethoxymethane via the Friedel‐Crafts reaction. The prepared polymer exhibits excellent adsorption performance toward alkaloids and polyphenols with maximum adsorption capacities ranging from 25.07 to 39.60 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms model results indicated the adsorption was a monolayer and chemical process. Under the optimal extraction conditions, a sensitive method was established for the simultaneous quantification of alkaloids and polyphenols in green tea and Coptis chinensis by coupling with the proposed sorbent and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography detection. The proposed method exhibited a wide linear range of 5.0–5000.0 ng/ml with R2 ≥ 0.99, a low limit of detection (0.66–11.25 ng/ml), and satisfactory recoveries (81.2%–117.4%). This work provides a simple and convenient candidate for the sensitive determination of alkaloids and polyphenols in green tea and complex herbal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CELL DIVISION CONTROL PROTEIN48 (CDC48) is essential for membrane fusion, protein degradation, and other cellular processes. Here, we revealed the crucial role of CDC48B in regulating periclinal cell division in roots by analyzing the recessive gen1 mutant. We identified the GEN1 gene through map‐based cloning and verified that GEN1 encodes CDC48B. gen1 showed severely inhibited root growth, increased periclinal cell division in the endodermis, defective middle cortex (MC) formation, and altered ground tissue patterning in roots. Consistent with these phenotypes, CYCLIND 6;1(CYCD6;1), a periclinal cell division marker, was upregulated in gen1 compared to Col‐0. The ratio of SHRpro:SHR‐GFP fluorescence in pre‐dividing nuclei versus the adjacent stele decreased by 33% in gen1, indicating that the trafficking of SHORT‐ROOT (SHR) decreased in gen1 when endodermal cells started to divide. These findings suggest that the loss of function of CDC48B inhibits the intercellular trafficking of SHR from the stele to the endodermis, thereby decreasing SHR accumulation in the endodermis. These findings shed light on the crucial role of CDC48B in regulating periclinal cell division in roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of intramolecular C−N bond represents a powerful strategy in organic transformation as the great importance of N‐heterocycles in the fields of natural products and bioactive molecules. This personal account describes the synthesis of cyclic phosphinamidation, benzosultam, benzosulfoximine, phenanthridine and their halogenated compounds through transition‐metal‐free intramolecular oxidative C−N bond formation. Mechanism study reveals that N−X bond is initially formed under the effect of hypervalent halogen, which is very unstable and easily undergoes thermal or light homolytic cleavage to generate nitrogen radical. Then the nitrogen radical is trapped by the arene to give aryl radical. Rearomatization of aryl radical under the oxidant to provide corresponding N‐heterocycle. Under suitable conditions, the N‐heterocycles can be further transformed to halogenated N‐heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: High‐efficiency saccharification technology is one of the bottlenecks of cellulosic bio‐hydrogen production. Cellulosic feedstocks saccharification currently performed by commercial cellulase, which is composed of different fungal cellulase. Compared with fungi, thermocellulosic bacteria represented by Ruminiclostridium thermocellum have a complete cellulase system, and a higher cellulase catalytic efficiency than fungi; however, R. thermocellum is susceptible to feedback inhibition by cellobiose, which limits the application of R. thermocellum on cellulosic bio‐hydrogen production. In this study, a strain named R. thermocellum M3, which is not subject to feedback inhibition by cellobiose, was used in the bio‐hydrogen production of cellulosic agricultural waste feedstocks to explore the feasibility of bacterial saccharification of cellulosic substrates for biological hydrogen production. RESULTS: Results of batch tests indicate that the combination of domestic sewage sludge and strain M3 promoted the hydrogen production for different lignin content feedstocks (rice straw: from 0.66 to 6.42 mmol H2/g substrate; corn cob: from 0.61 to 5.55 mmol H2/g substrate; pine wood waste: from 0.58 to 5.32 mmol H2/g substrate), which were competitive with the combination of domestic sewage sludge and Trichoderma viride cellulase. Specific activity analysis indicates that compared with the addition of T. viride cellulase, the addition of strain M3 completed the cellulase system in sludge. CONCLUSION: Thermo‐anaerobic bacteria R. thermocellum M3 enhanced the hydrogen production of the consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) of raw lignocellulosic agricultural wastes and, more importantly, provided a promising solution for the CBP strategy in the industrial application of lignocellulose bioconversion. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the incorporation of the polyaniline (PANI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites with outstanding electrical conductivity had been widely used in sensors. However, the flame retardancy of PMMA composites seriously restrained its further application. Thus, phosphorus‐containing polyaniline (FR‐PANI) was successfully prepared and combined with PMMA. The flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and fire behavior of the resultant PMMA/FR‐PANI composites were systematically studied. When the loading amount of FR‐PANI was controlled at 20 wt%, the PMMA matrix was endowed with dramatic flame retardancy, exhibiting a limiting oxygen index of 29.1% and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating in vertical burning tests. Meanwhile, the volume resistivity was also reduced up to 0.5 MΩ. The thermal stability of the PMMA/FR‐PANI composites was enhanced by the formation of abundant char residue, which improved the fire behavior of the PMMA matrix. The effect of FR‐PANI on the flame retardancy of the PMMA matrix was deduced on the basis of thermogravimetry‐infrared, Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopic analyses. The phosphorus‐containing functional groups in the FR‐PANI molecular chain underwent thermal degradation in the condensed phase and promoted the formation of a char layer. The char layer, in turn, prevented heat transfer into the interior of the PMMA composites, serving as a barrier to the volatilization of flammable micromolecules. Therefore, FR‐PANI is an important candidate to extend the range of applications of PMMA to include multifunctional intelligent sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eukaryotes, N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF) is a conserved AAA+ATPase and a key component of the membrane trafficking machinery that promotes the fusion of secretory vesicles with target membranes. Here, we demonstrate that the Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains a single copy of NSF, AtNSF, which plays an essential role in the regulation of leaf serration. The AtNSF knock‐down mutant, atnsf‐1, exhibited more serrations in the leaf margin. Moreover, polar localization of the PIN‐FORMED1 (PIN1) auxin efflux transporter was diffuse around the margins of atnsf‐1 leaves and root growth was inhibited in the atnsf‐1 mutant. More PIN1‐GFP accumulated in the intracellular compartments of atnsf‐1 plants, suggesting that AtNSF is required for intracellular trafficking of PIN between the endosome and plasma membrane. Furthermore, the serration phenotype was suppressed in the atnsf‐1 pin1‐8 double mutant, suggesting that AtNSF is required for PIN1‐mediated polar auxin transport to regulate leaf serration. The CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON2 (CUC2) transcription factor gene is up‐regulated in atnsf‐1 plants and the cuc2‐3 single mutant exhibits smooth leaf margins, demonstrating that AtNSF also functions in the CUC2 pathway. Our results reveal that AtNSF regulates the PIN1‐generated auxin maxima with a CUC2‐mediated feedback loop to control leaf serration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our study, 1,105 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 1,430 normal controls recruited from Hunan province, southern China were typed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B locus by Sanger sequencing exons 2–4. Besides confirming the NPC association with HLA‐B*46:01 allele, HLA‐A*02:07‐B*46:01 and HLA‐A*33:03‐B*58:01 haplotypes (all positive), and HLA‐B*13 lineage (negative), all of which were relatively common, strong negative associations were observed for five low‐frequency and rare alleles or lineages, including HLA‐B*07, ‐B*27:04, ‐B*39, ‐B*51:02 and ‐B*55:02, with odds ratio (OR) ranging from 0.16 to 0.3 (all pcorrected < 0.05). These strong protective associations were independent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between HLA‐A and HLA‐B loci. Further analysis indicated a single amino acid change from histidine to tyrosine at residue 171 is probably crucial for the mutant allele, HLA‐B*51:02, to mediate resistance to NPC. A subset of NPC cases (n = 821) and normal controls (n = 1,035) were tested for antivirus capsid antigen immunoglobulin A (anti‐VCA IgA), which differed drastically between the two groups [67.7% vs. 5.5%, OR (95% confidence interval) = 36 (26.55–48.81), p < 0.0001]. HLA‐B allelic variation did not associate with seropositivity for anti‐VCA IgA in either group. Results from our study show, more clearly than previously, the existence of a cluster of low‐frequency and rare HLA‐B variants conferring low, or very low risk to NPC, a phenomenon not observed in other ethnic groups. Our data shed new insights into genetic susceptibility to NPC in southern Chinese populations. Future independent studies are warranted to replicate the findings reported in our study. What's new? Southern Chinese populations have uniquely high rates of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Low‐frequency and rare HLA variants implicated in genetic predisposition to NPC remain to be fully identified. Here, the authors compared a large cohort of NPC patients and controls from southern China. They sequenced the HLA‐B locus in approximately 2,500 individuals looking for an association with NPC risk. Five low‐frequency HLA‐B allelic variants correlated with strong protection against the disease. These variants may help mount a T cell response against Epstein‐Barr virus. The researchers identified a single nucleotide change that they suspect may confer the protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to retrospectively investigate the clinical significance of anti‐rods and rings (anti‐RR) antibodies in antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) test samples of western China. Between January 2016 and November 2018, the laboratory data and clinical details of patients with positive anti‐RR antibodies were collected and analysed. The results showed that total of 197 227 patients tested, 109 453 patients presented with positive ANAs (55.50%), but only 107 patients with positive anti‐RR antibodies (0.10%), including 51 females and 56 males. Diagnose were established in 51 of 107 patients: 25 were hepatopathy (HCV 8/25, HBV 12/25); 13 were autoimmune diseases (AID); and 7 were renal insufficiency; 6 were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We make the conclusions that anti‐RR antibodies have a low prevalence, and there is no gender difference. Anti‐RR antibodies exist other diseases besides hepatitis C, such as HBV, some autoimmune diseases, renal insufficiency and COPD, which we need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we describe an in‐house polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific priming (PCR‐SSP) assay designed for undergraduate medical students as part of the experimental pathogen biology and immunology (EPBI) course. It screens human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR2 allotype from genomic DNA samples using a rapid and single‐tube PCR technique, yielding definitive typing result without conventional post‐amplification step like probing or Sanger sequencing. This laboratory exercise offers the undergraduate medical students an opportunity to learn about current molecular biology techniques in HLA genotyping with limited effort and cost, in addition to a better understanding of concepts presented in the classroom lectures. Upon completing this experiment module, the students show statistically significant improvement in several key indexes, such as the knowledge about the mainstream HLA DNA typing techniques, awareness of the relevance of this knowledge for their future scientific research, immunogenetics‐related basic laboratory skills they acquire, and interest and desire for mastering this assay (all p <.05). This easy to implement set of experiments is composed of a two‐session lab module occupying eight teaching hours, and has been run successfully in our laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By taking advantage of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an oxidant, the photoredox‐catalyzed alkene oxydifluoroalkylation for formal C(sp3)−CF2R and C(sp2)=O formation is disclosed for the first time. This difunctionalization reaction employs readily available styrenes as the substrates and bromodifluoro compounds as the difluoroalkylating reagents, which can afford the difluorinated ketones in acceptable yields with excellent regioselectivity. Experiments indicate that fac‐Ir(ppy)3‐catalyzed oxydifluoroalkylation can proceed smoothly under base‐free conditions in the presence of AgTFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and extra activator‐free dehydrative alkylation of stabilized phosphonium ylides with allylic alcohols in water is developed in the presence of [Pd(allyl)Cl]2/dppf catalyst. A wide range of aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl and even allylic tertiary alcohols can readily react with stabilized phosphonium ylides with high regioselectivity for the efficient synthesis of functionalized skipped dienes in moderate to high yields. The role of water was investigated by means of a high‐resolution mass spectrum and diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance, and the results revealed that water might play a crucial role in the formation of the π‐allylpalladium complex via hydrogen bond. However, the present method is not suitable for water‐sensitive phosphonium ylides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new allelic variant in HLA‐B*46:01 lineage, HLA‐B*46:01:25, has been identified in a male individual of Mongol ethnicity residing in northern China. Following polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐based typing (PCR‐SBT), this novel variant was further confirmed by cloning, phasing and sequencing. HLA‐B*46:01:25 differs from HLA‐B*46:01:01 by a single synonymous T substitution at nucleotide position 137 (C ‐ T) in exon 4, corresponding to codon 228 (ACC‐ACT) of the mature HLA‐B mRNA molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: We used hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide as a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) to enhance the effectiveness of a heterogeneous reaction system composed of collagen fiber (CF) and organosilicone modifying agents including epoxy‐polydimethylsiloxane (ES) and/or γ‐glycidoxypropylthrimethoxysilane (GS), in order to improve oil sorption behaviors of the modified products as sorbents. The effects of PTC dosage, organosilicone species or its dosage on the degree of modification of CFs were studied, and the optimum conditions were determined. Subsequently, the surface chemistry and porous structure of the prepared sorbents were thoroughly characterized, and their oil sorption behaviors were also investigated. It was confirmed that both their hydrophobicity‐oleophilicity character and pore structures could be significantly improved by introducing PTC agent and modulating the species or amount of organosilicone, resulting in improved oil sorption behaviors. In addition, the organosilicone modified CF matrix possessed acceptable reusability and biodegradability, and can be implemented as an eco‐friendly sorbent for oil spill cleanup. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46264. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless sensor network (WSN) has proposed requirements more than just data collection and transmission. Different types of traffics call for different quality of service (QoS) demands. However, for the nature of uncertainty of wireless link and unpredictability of traffic transmission, it is very hard to distribute resources to different traffics precisely ahead of time. Based on the cascade self‐tuning control, this study proposes the cascade self‐tuning architecture for FD‐MAC (CSFD‐MAC) architecture. Taking the advantage of feedback theory, CSFD‐MAC decouples contention window (CW) adaption and active time (AT) adaption into two separated cascading control loops. CW controller aims for the absolute node‐to‐node delay to a fixed value and AT controller guarantees the relative delay ratio. The software simulations illustrate the validity of controller design and the hardware experiments demonstrate the ability of CSFD‐MAC in the absolute delay control as well as the proportional delay differentiation. More important, CSFD‐MAC which takes AT as a controlled variable, not only has a much more superior performance in the metrics of delay and throughput compared with other QoS‐aware MAC, but also has the advantage of efficient power management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The pore structure of skin collagen matrix modified by organosilicone alone, combination of organosilicone and chromium respectively, was investigated mainly through nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy and fractal analysis. The results indicated that increasing the dosage of organosilicone endowed more numbers of uniform smaller pores, increased porosity in modified collagen matrix and improved thermal stability verified by differential scanning calorimeter analysis. A similar trend was observed after incorporating less amount of chromium to organosilicone modification in the process. It can be presumed that a rigid and stable three-dimensional silica network structure formed in the interior of the collagen fiber plays a role in fixing the collagen molecular chain, conferring improved hydrothermal stability to the skin matrix. The findings are of great significance to explore chrome-less and further chrome-free silicone tanning technology, and are helpful to promote sustainable development of the leather industry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44831. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative splicing ( AS) of precursor RNAs enhances transcriptome plasticity and proteome diversity in response to diverse growth and stress cues. Recent work has shown that AS is pervasive across plant species, with more than 60% of intron-containing genes producing different isoforms. Mammalian cell-based assays have discovered various inhibitors of AS. Here, we show that the macrolide pladienolide B ( PB) inhibits constitutive splicing and AS in plants. Also, our RNA sequencing ( RNA-seq) data revealed that PB mimics abiotic stress signals including salt, drought and abscisic acid ( ABA). PB activates the abiotic stress- and ABA-responsive reporters RD29A:: LUC and MAPKKK18::uidA in Arabidopsis thaliana and mimics the effects of ABA on stomatal aperture. Genome-wide analysis of AS by RNA-seq revealed that PB perturbs the splicing machinery and leads to a striking increase in intron retention and a reduction in other forms of AS. Interestingly, PB treatment activates the ABA signaling pathway by inhibiting the splicing of clade A PP2C phosphatases while still maintaining to some extent the splicing of ABA-activated Sn RK2 kinases. Taken together, our data establish PB as an inhibitor and modulator of splicing and a mimic of abiotic stress signals in plants. Thus, PB reveals the molecular underpinnings of the interplay between stress responses, ABA signaling and post-transcriptional regulation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deletion of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related genes A ( MICA*Del) was investigated in 3,411 DNA samples from two southern Chinese Han populations (Hunan Han, HNH; Guangdong Han, GDH), two northern Chinese populations (Inner Mongolia Han, IMH; Inner Mongolia Mongol, IMM) and one southeastern Chinese Han population (Fujian Han, FJH) using an in-house polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) assay, which enables direct discrimination between heterozygote and homozygote for MICA*Del. MICA*Del showed a frequency ranging from 0.8% in FJH to 5.7% in IMM ( Pcorrected < 0.05), indicating northward increase in frequency of MICA*Del in Chinese populations. In contrast to the association reported recently in a Taiwan Chinese population and a Malaysian Chinese cohort, MICA*Del distribution did not differ between 1,120 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 1,483 normal controls in the HNH population (1.03% in NPC cases vs 1.18% in the controls, OR (95% CI) = 0.87 (0.51-1.47), p = 0.69). Further gender-stratified analysis also failed to disclose any male-specific association reported in a Taiwan Chinese population. Multi-locus typing of the 94 samples carrying MICA*Del revealed two new haplotypes, HLA-A*11:01-B*13:01-MICA*Del-MICB*009N-DRB1*04:06 and HLA-B*35:01-MICA*Del-MICB*009N-DRB1*15:01, in addition to HLA-B*48-MICA*Del. Unexpectedly, two samples with MICA*Del in the HNH population were each consistently found to have two distinct MICA alleles, indicating the existence of two MICA gene copies on certain HLA haplotypes. Based on the results from a sizeable case-control study, our data suggest that there is no association between MICA*Del and NPC in the southern Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To explore the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) and metal artefact reduction sequence (MARs) to reduce the artefacts of metal seeds.Methods: Thirty-five patients with 125 I seed implantation in their abdomens underwent GSI CT. Six types of monochromatic images and the corresponding MARs images at 60-110 keV (interval of 10 keV) were reconstructed. The differences in the quality of the images of three imaging methods were subjectively assessed by three radiologists. Length of artefacts, the CT value and noise value of tissue adjacent to 125 I seeds, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and artefact index (AI) were recorded.Results: The differences in subjective scoring were statistically significant (t = 10.87, P < 0.001). Images at 70 keV showed the best CNR (0.84 ± 0.17) of tissues adjacent to 125 I seeds, and received the highest subjective score (2.82 ± 0.18). Images at 80 keV had the lowest AI (70.67 ± 19.17). Images at 110 keV had the shortest artefact lengths. High-density metal artefacts in the MARs spectral images were reduced. The length of metal artefacts in images at 110 keV was shorter than that of the polychromatic images and MARs spectral images (t = 3.35, 3.89, P < 0.05). The difference in CNR between MARs spectral images and polychromatic images, and images at 70 keV was statistically significant (t = 3.57, 4.16, P < 0.01).Conclusions: Gemstone spectral imaging technique can reduce metal artefacts of 125 I seeds effectively in CT images, and improve the quality of images, and improve the display of tissues adjacent to 125 I seeds after implantation. MARs technique cannot reduce the artefacts caused by radioactive seeds effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica-gelatin hybrids, particularly GT-G hybrids prepared by crosslinking gelatin (G) with cglycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GT), have attracted much attention in tissue engineering for diverse applications in hard or soft tissue regeneration; however, scaffolds with tunable properties are needed to meet specific requirements. In this work, a silica-gelatin hybrid (ES/GT-G) was synthesized by incorporating epoxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane oligomer (ES) to modulate the properties of GT-G hybrid. The ES/GT-G hybrid sponge presented a 3D network structure with porosity 86.4%±0.9%, determined by the liquid displacement method, and average pore size 340±36 µm, determined by SEM observation. Compared with GT-G hybrid material, the prepared ES/GT-G hybrid wet film showed a decrease of tensile strength from 2.79±0.04 MPa to 1.87±0.12 MPa, with an increase of elongation at break from 19.96±0.66% to 29.86±0.87%, and the ES/GT-G hybrid sponge exhibited a decline of compressive yield strength from 1.21±0.04 MPa to 0.72±0.06 MPa, based on the tensile and compression tests respectively. The introduction of ES enhanced the thermal denaturing temperature of GT-G by 5°C as determined by a DSC study, and increased in vitro biodegradation slightly, without significantly changing surface wettability and swelling behavior. These findings suggest that silicagelatin hybrids with tunable properties are promising for applications from hard to soft tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A facial and cost-effective synthesis method of converting the leather protein solid wastes into a value-added collagen matrix oil sorbent is successfully established for the first time. Hide powder fiber (HPF) was firstly prepared by using the pre-tanned fleshing wastes from the leather industry, and then cross-linked with epoxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to produce hydrophobic collagen fiber, which was verified by the FT-IR spectrum and contact angle analysis. Subsequently, a series of porous PDMS modified collagen-based sorbents with roughness surface was successfully fabricated by solvent- and freeze-drying methods respectively. The oil sorption capacity, sorption saturated time and retention capacity of the prepared sorbents was investigated. Combined with the SEM images, liquid displacement method and contact angle analysis, the results revealed that oil sorption capacities of the sorbent with lower pore size, higher porosity and rougher surface for silicone oil, motor oil and vegetable oil were approximate to 13.60, 12.50, and 11.92 g/g, respectively. Additionally, the sorption of oils is a quasi-instantaneous process and also showed excellent oil retention capacity. It exhibited acceptable oil sorption performances as compared to commercial biomass sorbents. These findings indicated its potential as an eco-friendly oil sorbent material. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42727. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted genomic regulation is a powerful approach to accelerate trait discovery and development in agricultural biotechnology. Bacteria and archaea use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) regulatory systems for adaptive molecular immunity against foreign nucleic acids introduced by invading phages and conjugative plasmids. The type II CRISPR/Cas system has been adapted for genome editing in many cell types and organisms. A recent study used the catalytically inactive Cas9 ( dCas9) protein combined with guide-RNAs ( gRNAs) as a DNA-targeting platform to modulate gene expression in bacterial, yeast, and human cells. Here, we modified this DNA-targeting platform for targeted transcriptional regulation in planta by developing chimeric dCas9-based transcriptional activators and repressors. To generate transcriptional activators, we fused the dCas9 C-terminus with the activation domains of EDLL and TAL effectors. To generate a transcriptional repressor, we fused the dCas9 C-terminus with the SRDX repression domain. Our data demonstrate that dCas9 fusion with the EDLL activation domain ( dCas9:EDLL) and the TAL activation domain ( dCas9:TAD), guided by gRNAs complementary to selected promoter elements, induce strong transcriptional activation on Bs3::uidA targets in plant cells. Further, the dCas9:SRDX-mediated transcriptional repression of an endogenous gene. Thus, our results suggest that the synthetic transcriptional repressor ( dCas9:SRDX) and activators ( dCas9:EDLL and dCas9:TAD) can be used as endogenous transcription factors to repress or activate transcription of an endogenous genomic target. Our data indicate that the CRISPR/ dCas9 DNA-targeting platform can be used in plants as a functional genomics tool and for biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact effect of glycine pre-treatment on brain ischemic tolerance (IT) remains quite controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effects of glycine on IT. We used rat models of both in vitro ischemia (oxygen and glucose deprivation) and in vivo ischemia (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion). Low doses of glycine (L-Gly) significantly decreased hippocampal ischemic LTP (i-LTP), infarct volume, and neurological deficit scores which were administered before ischemia was induced in rats, whereas high doses of glycine exerted deteriorative effects under the same condition. These findings suggested that exogenous glycine may induce IT in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, L-Gly-dependent neuronal protection was inversed by L689, a selective NMDAR glycine site antagonist both in vitro (abolished i-LTP depression) and in vivo (increased infarct size reduction), but not glycine receptor (GlyR) inhibitor strychnine. Importantly, L-Gly-induced IT was achieved by NR2A-dependent cAMP-response element binding protein phosphorylation. These data imply that glycine pre-treatment may represent a novel strategy for inducing IT based on synaptic NMDAR-dependent neuronal transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Studies focused on the naturally occurring resistance mutation rate in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B ( CHB) patients have set off a furious dispute. We conduct this meta-analysis to appraise the pooled incidence of spontaneous hepatitis B virus resistance mutations worldwide and its distribution. Methods We searched Pub Med, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure until December 31, 2013. Cross-sectional or case-control studies reporting incidence of natural resistance mutations in untreated CHB patients were included. Pooled incidence was performed in fixed- or random-effects models, and heterogeneity among studies was assessed. Results A total of 106 studies were included involving 12 212 naive CHB patients. The summarized incidence of natural mutations worldwide was 5.73% (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 4.85-6.61%), primary mutation rate 5.39% (95% CI: 4.54-6.24%), and secondary mutation rate 2.94% (95% CI: 1.59-4.29%). The pooled incidence reached up to 8.00% (95% CI: 6.63-9.38%) in China, higher than that in other countries (1.88% [95% CI: 1.06-2.69%]). Mutation rt M204 V/ I had the highest incidence of 4.89% (95% CI: 4.13-5.65%), and other primary mutations seldom spontaneously occurred. In subgroup analysis, genotype C hepatitis B virus infection, male, and hepatitis B antigen ( HBe Ag) negative patients had a slightly higher natural mutation rate. Conclusion The resistance mutations occurred frequently in untreated CHB patients, especially in China. The lamivudine resistance had the highest natural prevalence rate, while other nucleos(t)ide analogues showed rarely spontaneous resistance. Detecting the spontaneous resistance mutations will benefit the clinical management of CHB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A current output hard‐switched full‐bridge (HSFB) converter is presented with an intermediate high‐frequency transformer as an option of a wind energy conversion system (WECS). The wind turbine simulator, based on an induction machine driving a three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous generator, simulates practical wind turbine characteristics. A comparative analysis of electrical stresses on the switches of the boost converter and the current output HSFB converter is carried out at different wind speeds and maximum operational power point based on their mathematical models. The control system of the current output HSFB converter is illustrated. Then two dynamic responses of the combined mechanical and electrical systems of the WECS are investigated, under wind speed step changes. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and stability of a current output HSFB converter‐based WECS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Arabidopsis thaliana, MAIGO 2 ( MAG2) is involved in protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum ( ER) and the Golgi apparatus via its association with the ER-localized t- SNARE components SYP81/AtUfe1 and SEC20. To characterize the molecular machinery of MAG2-mediated protein transport, we explored MAG2-interacting proteins using transgenic A. thaliana plants expressing TAP-tagged MAG2. We identified three proteins, which were designated as MAG2- INTERACTING PROTEIN 1-3 [ MIP1 (At2g32900), MIP2 (At5g24350) and MIP3 (At2g42700)]. Both MIP1 and MAG2 localized to the ER membrane. All of the mag2, mip1, mip2 and mip3 mutants exhibited a defect in storage protein maturation, and developed abnormal storage protein body ( MAG body) structures in the ER of seed cells. These observations suggest that MIPs are closely associated with MAG2 and function in protein transport between the ER and Golgi apparatus. MIP1 and MIP2 contain a Zeste-White 10 ( ZW10) domain and a Sec39 domain, respectively, but have low sequence identities (21% and 23%) with respective human orthologs. These results suggest that the plant MAG2- MIP1- MIP2 complex is a counterpart of the triple-subunit tethering complexes in yeast (Tip20p-Dsl1p-Sec39p) and humans ( RINT1- ZW10- NAG). Surprisingly, the plant complex also contained a fourth member ( MIP3) with a Sec1 domain. There have been no previous reports showing that a Sec1-containing protein is a subunit of ER-localized tethering complexes. Our results suggest that MAG2 and the three MIP proteins form a unique complex on the ER that is responsible for efficient transport of seed storage proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased oxidative stress and inflammation causally contribute to cardiovascular diseases, for which advanced age is a major risk factor. We found that indicators of oxidative stress, including NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide levels, were significantly increased in aortas of old (22–24 months) versus young (3–4 months) male F344 rats, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was decreased. Aortic mRNA and protein levels of NOX4, the principal catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase in vascular cells, also were increased with age, but not NOX2 and p22phox. Indicators of inflammation, including activation of NFκB and upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in aorta, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in plasma, also were significantly increased in old rats. Supplementation with 0.2% (wt/wt) ( R)-α-lipoic acid (LA) for 2 weeks caused a nonsignificant decrease in NADPH oxidase activity in aged aorta and a significant decrease in mRNA—but not protein—levels of NOX4 and VCAM-1. Furthermore, LA reversed the age-dependent changes in aortic SOD activity and plasma MCP-1 levels. Hence, vascular oxidative stress and inflammation increase with age and are ameliorated by LA supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption bandwidth is one of the key performance metrics for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers. Traditional oxide absorbers, despite their merits such as abundance, long‐term stability, and low cost, have long been plagued by their inferior absorption bandwidth (typically less than 4 GHz). Herein, a novel concept is proposed: the introduction of cation vacancies and heterostructures into oxides can remarkably broaden their absorption bandwidth. A broadening value of 7.75 GHz is observed through this route, surpassing the broadening achieved by other existing engineering methods, by ≈100%. Crucially, this study discovers that a negative shift in the d‐band center, a previously overlooked factor, is responsible for this broadening phenomenon. By inducing cation vacancies and heterostructures, a negative shift in the d‐band center gives rise to an increase in carrier concentration and promotion of charge separation, resulting in higher conductive and polarization losses, ultimately leading to a broader absorption bandwidth. The applicability of this concept is validated in another distinctly different system, where the absorption bandwidth also experiences a remarkable increase (from 0 to 6.86 GHz). This study offers significant implications for designing wide bandwidth EMW absorbers and expands their applications in various scenarios such as wearable electronics and artificial intelligent devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical microarchitecture engineering is a state‐of‐the‐art approach to designing aerogel electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbers, offering huge potential in improving EM energy dissipation. However, the intrinsic feedback mechanism regarding the specific influence of each microarchitecture parameter on EM properties is not comprehensively revealed, making it challenging to fully utilize the potential of aerogels to achieve superior EM wave absorption performance. Herein, a range of MXene/rGO‐based aerogels with multilevel hierarchical configurations are fabricated by a magnetic field‐guided strategy. Leveraging growth thermodynamics effects under a magnetic field and bridging effect between adjacent rGO units, three hierarchical microarchitecture models (lamellae ordering, interlayer spacing, and layer thickness) are constructed in aerogels. Remarkably, three models progressively improve reflection loss (RL), effective absorption bandwidth (EAB), and matching thickness by enhancing dielectric loss, decoupling attenuation‐impedance matching, and adjusting power loss density, respectively. Consequently, the MXene/rGO‐based aerogels exhibit stepwise enhancement in EM wave performance, achieving a superior RL of −64.6 dB and a broad EAB of 7.0 GHz at 1.8 mm thickness, surpassing alternative aerogels with other configurations. This work elucidates the effect of multilevel hierarchical microarchitecture on the synergistic multi‐effect dissipation mechanism of EM waves in aerogels, providing insights for designing advanced EM absorbers through diverse strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This method gives α,β-diamino acid esters with tertiary and quaternary α-carbon-centers in good yields and under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The described approach is the first report on the stereospecific embedment of N-benzylic α-branched succinimides into the framework of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]