Explore the vast range of titles available.

Epigenetic modifications of DNA play important roles in many biological processes. Identifying readers of these epigenetic marks is a critical step towards understanding the underlying mechanisms. Here, we present an all-to-all approach, dubbed digital affinity profiling via proximity ligation (DAPPL), to simultaneously profile human TF-DNA interactions using mixtures of random DNA libraries carrying different epigenetic modifications (i.e., 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine) on CpG dinucleotides. Many proteins that recognize consensus sequences carrying these modifications in symmetric and/or hemi-modified forms are identified. We further demonstrate that the modifications in different sequence contexts could either enhance or suppress TF binding activity. Moreover, many modifications can affect TF binding specificity. Furthermore, symmetric modifications show a stronger effect in either enhancing or suppressing TF-DNA interactions than hemi-modifications. Finally, in vivo evidence suggests that USF1 and USF2 might regulate transcription via hydroxymethylcytosine-binding activity in weak enhancers in human embryonic stem cells. Identifying readers of epigenetic marks is a critical step for understanding the role of epigenetic marks in biology. Here, the authors applied DAPPL, an all-to-all approach to profile the interactions between TFs and epigenetic modified DNA libraries.

The flexible arm easily vibrates due to its thin structural characteristics, which affect the operation accuracy, so reducing the vibration of the flexible arm is a significant issue. Smart materials are very widely used in the research topic of vibration suppression. Considering the hysteresis characteristic of the smart materials, based on previous simulation research, this paper proposes an experimental system design of nonlinear vibration control by using the interactive actuation from shape memory alloy (SMA) for a flexible arm. The experiment system was an interactive actuator–sensor–controller combination. The vibration suppression strategy was integrated with an operator-based vibration controller, a designed integral compensator and the designed n-times feedback loop. In detail, a nonlinear vibration controller based on operator theory was designed to guarantee the robust stability of the flexible arm. An integral compensator based on an estimation mechanism was designed to optimally reduce the displacement of the flexible arm. Obtaining the desired tracking performance of the flexible arm was a further step, by increasing the n-times feedback loop. From the three experimental cases, when the vibration controller was integrated with the designed integral compensator, the vibration displacement of the flexible arm was much reduced compared to that without the integral compensator. Increasing the number of n-times feedback loops improves the tracking performance. The desired vibration control performance can be satisfied when n tends to infinity. The conventional PD controller stabilizes the vibration displacement after the 7th vibration waveform, while the vibration displacement approaches zero after the 4th vibration waveform using the proposed vibration control method, which is proved to be faster and more effective in controlling the flexible arm’s vibration. The experimental cases verify the effectiveness of the proposed interactive actuation vibration control approach. It is observed from the experimental results that the vibration displacement of the flexible arm becomes almost zero within less time and with lower input power, compared with a traditional controller.

Aiming at the uncertainties existing in the permanent magnet linear servo system, an intelligent second-order sliding mode control (ISOSMC) method is proposed to achieve high precision and strong robustness. First, the dynamic model of PMLSM with uncertainties is established. To conquer the uncertainties, a second-order sliding mode control (SOSMC) method based on the PID sliding surface is designed. Additionally, to further reduce chattering caused by sign function, a sinusoidal saturation function is applied in the control law of SOSMC. Due to the value of the uncertainties is difficult to obtain, a recurrent radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) uncertainty estimator is introduced to estimate the uncertainties and a robust compensator (RC) is developed to reduce the approximation error of recurrent RBFNN. To guarantee the performance of the ISOSMC system, Lyapunov function is employed to prove the stability. Experimental results demonstrate that ISOSMC possesses favorable tracking performance and strong robustness against the parameter variations and load disturbances.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21726-y

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in gastric cancer (GC) with Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ). Methods H19 expression in peripheral blood from H. pylori +/− GC patients and healthy donors (control) as well as in GC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by Transwell assay. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. The protein levels of IκBα, p-IκBα and p65 were determined by western blotting. Results H19 expression was upregulated in H. pylori -infected GC tissues and cells. Furthermore, H. pylori promoted GC cell viability, migration, invasion and inflammatory response. Moreover, H19 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of H. pylori -infected GC cells via enhancing NF-κB-induced inflammation. Conclusions LncRNA H19 promotes H. pylori -induced GC cell growth via enhancing NF-κB-induced inflammation.

To develop a high-performance permanent magnet linear servo system, a novel intelligent second-order complementary sliding mode control (ISOCSMC) method is proposed in this paper. First, the mathematical model of permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) with uncertainties is established. To conquer the uncertainties and reduce chattering, a second-order complementary sliding mode control (SOCSMC) with fast convergence and global robustness is developed. However, because the value of lumped uncertainty is difficult to obtain in advance and cannot be adjusted automatically, an intelligent control system using recurrent Gegenbauer fuzzy neural network (RGFNN) based on improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) is proposed to further improve the servo performance. RGFNN acts as an estimator to approximate the lumped uncertainty, and IWOA is used to convergence of the output tracking error and improve the convergence speed of RGFNN. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the proposed controller exhibits high tracking accuracy and strong robustness against the parameter variations and load disturbances in comparison with the recently reported control strategies.

The flower-like Co 3 O 4 particles with three-dimensional structure have been achieved by inheriting the flower-like framework of β-Co(OH) 2 particles fabricated by a facile solvothermal method without any surfactant. The obtained Co 3 O 4 microflower, which was composed of large amounts of self-assembled porous ultrathin nanosheets, exhibited excellent electrochemical performances in terms of high specific capacity and good cycle stability when being evaluated as anode materials for lithium-ion battery. Specifically, a high reversible capacity of above 1100 mA h g −1 was achieved after 50 cycles at the current density of 296 mA g −1 . Hierarchical flower-like structure with mesoporous was considered as providing more active sites for Li + insertion and paths for transport of Li + , which led to faster lithium-ion diffusion. Co 3 O 4 porous flower-like nanostructures possessed significant potential application in energy storage systems.

Transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development. The study of the structure and function of TFs represents a research frontier in plant molecular biology. The findings of these studies will provide significant information regarding genetic improvement traits in crops. Currently, a large number of TFs have been cloned, and their function has been verified. However, relatively few studies that genetically map TFs in cotton are available. To genetically map TFs in cotton in this study, specific primers were designed for TF genes that were published in the Plant Transcription Factor Database. A total of 977 TF primers were obtained, and 31 TF polymorphic loci were mapped on 15 cotton chromosomes. These polymorphic loci were clearly preferentially distributed on chromosomes 5, 11, 19 and 20; and TFs from the same family mapped to homologous cotton chromosomes. In-silico mapping verified that many mapped TFs were mapped on their corresponding chromosomes or their homologous chromosomes' corresponding chromosomes in the diploid genomes. QTL mapping for fiber quality revealed that TF-Ghi005602-2 mapped on Chr19 was associated with fiber length. Eighty-five TF genes were selected for RT-PCR analysis, and 4 TFs were selected for qRT-PCR analysis, revealing unique expression patterns across different stages of fiber development between the mapping parents. Our data offer an overview of the chromosomal distribution of TFs in cotton, and the comparative expression analysis between Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense provides a rough understanding of the regulation of TFs during cotton fiber development.

The increased incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in recent decades might be related to changes in modern dietary habits. Since sodium chloride (NaCl) promotes pathogenic T cell responses, we hypothesize that excessive salt intake contributes to the increased incidence of autoimmune diseases, including SLE. Given the importance of dendritic cells (DCs) in the pathogenesis of SLE, we explored the influence of an excessive sodium chloride diet on DCs in a murine SLE model. We used an induced lupus model in which bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were incubated with activated lymphocyte-derived DNA (ALD-DNA) and transferred into C57BL/6 recipient mice. We observed that a high-salt diet (HSD) markedly exacerbated lupus progression, which was accompanied by increased DC activation. NaCl treatment also stimulated the maturation, activation and antigen-presenting ability of DCs in vitro. Pretreatment of BMDCs with NaCl also exacerbated BMDC-ALD-DNA-induced lupus. These mice had increased production of autoantibodies and proinflammatory cytokines, more pronounced splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, and enhanced pathological renal lesions. The p38 MAPK–STAT1 pathway played an important role in NaCl-induced DC immune activities. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HSD intake promotes immune activation of DCs through the p38 MAPK–STAT1 signaling pathway and exacerbates the features of SLE. Thus, changes in diet may provide a novel strategy for the prevention or amelioration of lupus or other autoimmune diseases.