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Self-assembled DNA crystals offer a precise chemical platform at the ångström-scale for DNA nanotechnology, holding enormous potential in material separation, catalysis, and DNA data storage. However, accurately controlling the crystallization kinetics of such DNA crystals remains challenging. Herein, we found that atomic-level 5-methylcytosine (5mC) modification can regulate the crystallization kinetics of DNA crystal by tuning the hybridization rates of DNA motifs. We discovered that by manipulating the axial and combination of 5mC modification on the sticky ends of DNA tensegrity triangle motifs, we can obtain a series of DNA crystals with controllable morphological features. Through DNA-PAINT and FRET-labeled DNA strand displacement experiments, we elucidate that atomic-level 5mC modification enhances the affinity constant of DNA hybridization at both the single-molecule and macroscopic scales. This enhancement can be harnessed for kinetic-driven control of the preferential growth direction of DNA crystals. The 5mC modification strategy can overcome the limitations of DNA sequence design imposed by limited nucleobase numbers in various DNA hybridization reactions. This strategy provides a new avenue for the manipulation of DNA crystal structure, valuable for the advancement of DNA and biomacromolecular crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• •kiwifruit cultivars have great flexibility and high capacity for acclimation to high-light environments. • •kiwifruit is sensitive to light quality; blue light promotes the accumulation of chlorophyll, carbon and carbon/nitrogen ratio, as well as the numbers of guard cell plastids, while red light stimulates the growth and development of kiwifruit and improve the starch and sugar contents of leaves. • •The optimal blue light / red light ratio is deemed to be species-specific in kiwifruit. Light is one of the most important environmental factors that strongly mediates plant physiological and morphological development. Few studies have investigated the effect of light on perennial fruit crops, which have long generation times and are large in size, that complicates the evaluation of plant responses to light in controlled environments. This study assessed the impact of light intensity on chlorophyll (Chl) variation in 41 kiwifruit cultivars during the growing season, and examined the physiological, morphological and gene expression changes of kiwifruit plantlets in vitro under different light qualities treatments, such as white light, red light (RL), blue light (BL) and a mixture of RL and BL with different ratios. The Chl content in 24.4% of kiwifruit varieties increased continuously with increasing sunlight intensity from April to August; but 34.15% of varieties remained unchanged and 41.5% of varieties decreased in July and August when kiwifruit plants were exposed to maximum solar radiation density and duration. The controlling experiment of light qualities showed that blue light was effective for the induction and accumulation of kiwifruit Chl contents and carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio), as well as the numbers of guard cell plastids, whereas red light induced plant vegetative growth and increased starch and sucrose content in leaves. Furthermore, blue light induced higher expression of key genes for Chl biosynthesis than red light. These results indicate that kiwifruit plants exhibit strong morphological plasticity induced by light, and the development of kiwifruit can be induced by culturing the plants in vitro under a combination of BL and RL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stomatal closure, driven by shrinking guard cells in response to the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) under drought stress, has a great impact on plant growth and environmental acclimation. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying the turgor alteration of guard cells remains elusive, especially in cereal grasses. Here, we develop a modified enzyme digestion-based approach for the isolation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) guard cells. With this approach, we can remove mesophyll, pavement cells and subsidiary cells successively from the epidermis of the trichomeless coleoptile in wheat and preserve guard cells on the cuticle layers in an intact and physiologically active conditions. Using a robust single-cell-type RNA sequencing analysis, we discovered 9829 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as significantly up- or down-regulated in guard cells in response to ABA treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed a large percent of DEGs encoding multiple phytohormone signalling pathways, transporters, calcium signalling components, protein kinases and other ABA signalling-related proteins, which are primarily involved in key signalling pathways in ABA-regulated stomatal control and stress response. Our findings provide valuable resource for investigating the transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying wheat guard cells in response to ABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) aerosol is a significant and short-lived climate forcing factor. Here, the direct effects of BC emissions from India (IDBC) and China (CNBC) are investigated in East Asia during summer using the state-of-the-art regional climate model RegCM4. In summer, IDBC and CNBC account for approximately 30% and 46% of the total BC emissions in Asia, respectively. The total BC column burden from the two countries and corresponding TOA effective radiative forcing are 1.58 mgm-2 and 11.87Wm-2 in East Asia, respectively. The regional air temperature increases over 0.3K at maximum and precipitation decreases 0.028mmday-1 on average. Individually, IDBC and CNBC each can bring about rather different effects on regional climate. IDBC can result in a cooling perturbation accompanied by a substantially increased cloud amount and scattering aerosol loading, resulting in a complex response in the regional precipitation, while CNBC can lead to regional warming, and further induce a local flood in northern China or drought in southern China depending on the opposite but significant circulation anomalies. CNBC plays a dominant role in modulating the regional climate over East Asia due to its higher magnitude, wider coverage, and stronger climate feedback. The direct effect of the total BC from both countries is not a linear combination of that of IDBC and CNBC individually, suggesting that the regional climate responses are highly nonlinear to the emission intensity or aerosol loading, which may be greatly related to the influences of the perturbed atmospheric circulations and climate feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a potentially fatal and common complication in myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The timing and grade of CIN may play prognostic and predictive roles in cancer therapy. CIN is associated with older age, poor functional and nutritional status, the presence of significant comorbidities, the type of cancer, previous chemotherapy cycles, the stage of the disease, specific chemotherapy regimens, and combined therapies. There are many key points and new challenges in the management of CIN in adults including: (1) Genetic risk factors to evaluate the patient’s risk for CIN remain unclear. However, these risk factors urgently need to be identified. (2) Febrile neutropenia (FN) remains one of the most common reasons for oncological emergency. No consensus nomogram for FN risk assessment has been established. (3) Different assessment tools [e.g., Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), the Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) score model, and other tools] have been suggested to help stratify the risk of complications in patients with FN. However, current tools have limitations. The CISNE score model is useful to support decision-making, especially for patients with stable FN. (4) There are still some challenges, including the benefits of granulocyte colony stimulating factor treatment and the optimal antibiotic regimen in emergency management of FN. In view of the current reports, our group discusses the key points, new challenges, and management of CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we generated casting specimens of human cerebral blood vessels for twenty-five fetuses and thirtysix adults. The degrees of the angles were measured and comprised for those blood vessels frequently involved in the interventional catheterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background aims. This study was conducted to characterize gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-labeled and PKH26-labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (HuMSCs) and to track them with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro and in vivo. Methods. HuMSCs were isolated from umbilical cords and expanded in vitro. Cells were sequentially labeled with Gd-DTPA and PKH26. The labeling efficiency was determined by spectrophotometry measurements, and the longevity of Gd-DTPA maintenance was measured with MRT. The influence of double labeling on cellular biologic properties was assessed by cell proliferation, viability, differentiation, cycle and apoptosis. Transplantation of double-labeled HuMSCs or placebo was performed in 39 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Leak point pressure and maximal bladder capacity were measured in animals 6 weeks after injection. Results. The Ti values and signal intensity on Ti-weighted imaging of labeled cells were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The signal intensity on Ti-weighted imaging of labeled cells was retained >14 days in vitro and in vivo. There was no significant difference in the cell cycle, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation and cell viability between labeled and unlabeled HuMSCs (P> 0.05). After double labeling, HuMSCs were still capable of differentiating into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Periurethrally injected HuMSCs in the rats significantly improved leak point pressure and maximal bladder capacity. Conclusions. HuMSCs were successfully labeled with Gd-DTPA and PKH26. This labeling method is reliable and efficient and can be applied for tracking cells in vitro and in vivo without altering cellular biologic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, Nigeria was ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top countries with highly deteriorating air quality in the world. To date, no study has elucidated the sources of elevated fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations over the entire Nigeria. In this study, the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was applied to quantify the contributions of seven emissions sectors to PM 2.5 and its components in Nigeria in 2021. Residential, industry, and agriculture were the major sources of primary PM (PPM) during the four seasons, elemental carbon (EC) and primary organic carbon (POC) were dominated by residential and industry, while residential, industry, transportation, and agriculture were the important sources of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) and its components in most regions. PM 2.5 was up to 150 μg/m 3 in the north in all the seasons, while it reached ∼80 μg/m 3 in the south in January. Residential contributed most to PM 2.5 (∼80 μg/m 3 ), followed by industry (∼40 μg/m 3 ), transportation (∼20 μg/m 3 ), and agriculture (∼15 μg/m 3 ). The large variation in the sources of PM 2.5 and its components across Nigeria suggests that emissions control strategies should be separately designed for different regions. The results imply that urgent control of PM 2.5 pollution in Nigeria is highly necessitated., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The completed chloroplast genome sequence of Actinidia hemsleyana , collected from eastern China, was firstly determined using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic analysis. The length of cp genome was 156,845 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,666 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 20,543 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,818 bp. The cp genome contained 132 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 41 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 37.19%, whereas the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 35.46%, 31.09%, and 43.06%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole cp genome sequences of 20 Actinidia species showed that A. hemsleyana has the closest relationship with A.latifolia ., Competing Interests: The authors report no declaration of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Rationale: The incidence of double aneurysms on the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is very rare. Nevertheless, delayed rupture of a parent artery instead of the aneurysmal sac following pipeline embolization device (PLED) is unusual., Patient Concerns: We present a 72-year-old female who was admitted at our facility with gradual onset of nonspecific visual changes., Diagnosis: Conventional angiography revealed 2 aneurysms located at the ophthalmic segment of the left ICA., Interventions: Both aneurysms were successfully treated with PLED., Outcomes: Two months after discharge, the patient was rushed into the emergency with bilateral conjunctival congestion. Computed tomography revealed intracranial hemorrhage at left temporal lobe while digital subtraction angiography established a left direct carotid cavernous fistula. We utilized stent (Solitaire 6*30) assisted coils to occlude the fistula. The patient is well and go about her normal duties., Lessions: Manipulation of the tortuous parent artery resulted in a focal traumatic weakness in the artery and subsequently a delay tear. We are of the view that, endovascular surgeons should be on the lookout for this complication following flow deviation treatment modalities.

Rationale: Dual aneurysms arising from the internal cerotic artery (ICA) is a very rare occurrence. Clinoid segment aneurysms (CSAs) are often seen at the carotid dural rings while cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are often a direct communication between the ICA and the cavernous sinus (CS). We present a case of complex concomitant occurrence of a CSA and a CCA complicated with delay aneurysmal rupture (DAR) resulting in carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) after our initial treatment of the patient with pipeline embolization devices (PLEDs) PATIENT CONCERNS:: We present a 64-year old female who we admitted at our institution due to one-year history of double vision. Neurological examinations were unremarkable., Diagnosis: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT)-scan revealed dual aneurysms on the ICA. Digital subtracting angiogram (DSA) confirmed a small CSA and a large CCA on the right ICA., Interventions: We treated both aneurysms with PLED and subsequently observed DAR of CCA as a complication., Outcomes: We successfully occluded the fistula with ONYX (ev3, Irvine, CA) via the trans-venous approach., Lesions: PLED was the best endovascular treatment option though DAR was inevitable. Although the trans-arterial approach may be the gold standard for the managing of CCF, the complex nature of our case made us opt for trans-venous approach. The trans-venous route is very appropriate for fistulas with complex parent arteries.

Key Message: A host-selective, proteinaceous maize toxin was identified from the culture filtrate of the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. A dominant gene for toxin susceptibility was identified on maize chromosome 4. A toxic activity was identified from the culture filtrate (CF) of the fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus, causal agent of the maize disease southern leaf blight (SLB) with differential toxicity on maize lines. Two independent mapping populations; a 113-line recombinant inbred line population and a 258-line association population, were used to map loci associated with sensitivity to the CF at the seedling stage. A major QTL on chromosome 4 was identified at the same locus using both populations. Mapping in the association population defined a 400 kb region that contained the sensitivity locus. By comparing CF-sensitivity of the parents of the RIL population with that of the F 1 progeny, we determined that the sensitivity allele was dominant. No relationship was observed between CF-sensitivity in seedlings and SLB susceptibility in mature plants; however, a significant correlation (- 0.58) was observed between SLB susceptibility and CF-sensitivity in seedlings. The activity of the CF was light-dependent and was sensitive to pronase, indicating that the toxin was proteinaceous.

Purpose We examined the efficacy and safety of thalidomide (THD) for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting in patients who received highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). Patients and Methods In a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase III trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with cancer who were scheduled to receive HEC that contained cisplatin or cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin/epirubincin ≥ 50 mg/m 2 regimens were randomly assigned to a THD group (100 mg twice daily on days 1 to 5) or placebo group, both with palonosetron (0.25 mg on day 1) and dexamethasone (12 mg on day 1; 8 mg on days 2 to 4). Primary end point was complete response to vomiting-no emesis or use of rescue medication-in the delayed phase (25 to 120 h). Nausea and anorexia on days 1 to 5 were evaluated by the 4-point Likert scale (0, no symptoms; 3, severe). Quality of life was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 version 3 questionnaire on days -1 and 6. Results Of 656 patients, 638 were evaluable: 317 in the THD group and 321 in the control group. Compared with placebo, delayed and overall (0 to 120 h) complete response rates to vomiting were significantly higher with THD: 76.9% versus 61.7% ( P < .001) and 66.1% versus 53.3% ( P = .001), respectively. Rates of no nausea were also higher in the THD group (delayed: 47.3% v 33.3%; P < .001; overall: 41% v 29.6%; P = .003), and mean scores of anorexia were lower overall (0.44 ± 0.717 v 0.64 ± 0.844; P = .003). Adverse effects were mild to moderate. The THD group had increased sedation, dizziness, constipation, and dry mouth, but experienced better quality of life after chemotherapy. Conclusion Thalidomide combined with palonosetron and dexamethasone significantly improved HEC-induced delayed nausea and vomiting prevention in chemotherapy-naive patients.