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Preparing high-efficiency solution-processable orange-red thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters remains challenging. Herein, we design a series of emitters consisting of trinaphtho[3,3,3]propellane (TNP) core derivatized with different TADF units. Benefiting from the unique hexagonal stacking architecture of TNPs, TADF units are thus kept in the cavities between two TNPs, which decrease concentration quenching and annihilation of long-lived triplet excitons. According to the molecular engineering of TADF and host units, the excited states can further be regulated to effectively enhance spin-orbit coupling (SOC) processes. We observe a high-efficiency orange-red emission at 604 nm in one instance with high SOC value of 0.862 cm −1 and high photoluminescence quantum yield of 70.9%. Solution-processable organic light-emitting diodes exhibit a maximum external quantum efficiency of 24.74%. This study provides a universal strategy for designing high-performance TADF emitters through molecular packing and excited state regulation. The design of high-efficiency solution-processable orange-red thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters remains to be a challenge. Here, the authors synthesize a series of emitters consisting of a trinaphtho[3,3,3]propellane core with highly efficient emission in the orange-red region of the spectrum.

Background Plant roots assemble microbial communities both inside the roots and in the rhizosphere, and these root-associated microbiomes play pivotal roles in plant nutrition and productivity. Although it is known that increased synthetic fertilizer input in Chinese farmlands over the past 50 years has resulted in not only increased yields but also environmental problems, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how crops under elevated nutrient input shape root-associated microbial communities, especially through adjusting the quantities and compositions of root metabolites and exudates. Methods The compositions of bacterial and fungal communities from the roots and rhizosphere of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. ) under four levels of long-term inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization were characterized at the tillering, jointing and ripening stages. The root-released organic carbon (ROC), organic acids in the root exudates and soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil active carbon (SAC) in the rhizosphere were quantified. Results ROC levels varied dramatically across wheat growth stages and correlated more with the bacterial community than with the fungal community. Rhizosphere SOC and SAC levels were elevated by long-term N fertilization but varied only slightly across growth stages. Variation in the microbial community structure across plant growth stages showed a decreasing trend with N fertilization level in the rhizosphere. In addition, more bacterial and fungal genera were significantly correlated in the jointing and ripening stages than in the tillering stage in the root samples. A number of bacterial genera that shifted in response to N fertilization, including Arthrobacter , Bacillus and Devosia , correlated significantly with acetic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid and tartaric acid levels. Conclusions Our results indicate that both plant growth status and N input drive changes in the microbial community structure in the root zone of wheat. Plant growth stage demostrated a stronger influence on bacterial than on fungal community composition. A number of bacterial genera that have been described as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) responded positively to N fertilization, and their abundance correlated significantly with the organic acid level, suggesting that the secretion of organic acids may be a strategy developed by plants to recruit beneficial microbes in the root zone to cope with high N input. These results provide novel insight into the associations among increased N input, altered carbon availability, and shifts in microbial communities in the plant roots and rhizosphere of intensive agricultural ecosystems.

Chinese medicine formulae possess the potential for cholestasis treatment. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of San-Huang-Chai-Zhu formula (SHCZF) against cholestasis. The major chemical compounds of SHCZF were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The bioactive compounds and targets of SHCZF, and cholestasis-related targets were obtained from public databases. Intersected targets of SHCZF and cholestasis were visualized by Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction and compound-target networks were established by Cytoscape according to the STRING database. The biological functions and pathways of potential targets were characterized by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. The biological process-target-pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the interactions between biological compounds and hub target proteins were validated via molecular docking. There 7 major chemical compounds in SHCZF. A total of 141 bioactive compounds and 83 potential targets were screened for SHCZF against cholestasis. The process of SHCZF against cholestasis was mainly involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. ALB, IL6, AKT1, TP53, TNF, MAPK3, APOE, IL1B, PPARG, and PPARA were the top 10 hub targets. Molecular docking showed that bioactive compounds of SHCZF had a good binding affinity with hub targets. This study predicted that the mechanisms of SHCZF against cholestasis mainly involved in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Moreover, APOE, AKT1, and TP53 were the critical hub targets for bioactive compounds of SHCZF.

Accumulating empirical evidence over the last 60 years has shown that the reduction of N 2 O to N 2 is impaired by low soil pH, suggesting that liming of acid soils may reduce N 2 O emissions. This option has not gained much momentum in global change research, however, possibly due to limited understanding of why low pH interferes with N 2 O reductase. We hypothesized that the reason is that denitrifying organisms in soils are unable to assemble functional N 2 O reductase (N 2 OR) at low pH, as shown to be the case for the model strain Paracoccus denitrificans . We tested this by experiments with bacteria extracted from soils by density gradient centrifugation. The soils were sampled from a long-term liming experiment (soil pH 4.0, 6.1, and 8.0). The cells were incubated (stirred batches, He atmosphere) at pH levels ranging from 5.7 to 7.6, while gas kinetics (NO, N 2 O, and N 2 ) and abundances of relevant denitrification genes ( nirS , nirK , and nosZ ) and their transcripts were monitored. Cells from the most acidic soil (pH 4.0) were unable to reduce N 2 O at any pH. These results warrant a closer inspection of denitrification communities of very acidic soils. Cells from the neutral soils were unable to produce functional N 2 OR at pH values of ≤6.1, despite significant transcription of the nosZ gene. The N 2 OR expressed successfully at pH 7.0, however, was functional over the entire pH range tested (5.7 to 7.6). These observations lend strong support to our hypothesis: low soil pH diminishes/prevents reduction of N 2 O, primarily by precluding a successful assembly of functional N 2 O reductase. IMPORTANCE Impaired N 2 O reduction in acid soils was first observed ~60 years ago, and the phenomenon has been rediscovered several times since then. The practical implication would be that the emissions of N 2 O from cropped soils could be controlled by soil pH management, but this option has largely been ignored till now. One reason for this could be that the mechanisms involved have remained obscure. Here, we provide compelling evidence that the primary reason is that low pH interferes with the making of the enzyme N 2 O reductase rather than the function of the enzyme if properly assembled. The implications are important for understanding how pH controls the kinetics of N 2 O and N 2 production by denitrification. The improved understanding provides credibility for soil pH management as a way to mitigate N 2 O emissions. Impaired N 2 O reduction in acid soils was first observed ~60 years ago, and the phenomenon has been rediscovered several times since then. The practical implication would be that the emissions of N 2 O from cropped soils could be controlled by soil pH management, but this option has largely been ignored till now. One reason for this could be that the mechanisms involved have remained obscure. Here, we provide compelling evidence that the primary reason is that low pH interferes with the making of the enzyme N 2 O reductase rather than the function of the enzyme if properly assembled. The implications are important for understanding how pH controls the kinetics of N 2 O and N 2 production by denitrification. The improved understanding provides credibility for soil pH management as a way to mitigate N 2 O emissions.

Denitrifying prokaryotes use NOx as terminal electron acceptors in response to oxygen depletion. The process emits a mixture of NO, N2O and N2, depending on the relative activity of the enzymes catalysing the stepwise reduction of NO3− to N2O and finally to N2. Cultured denitrifying prokaryotes show characteristic transient accumulation of NO2−, NO and N2O during transition from oxic to anoxic respiration, when tested under standardized conditions, but this character appears unrelated to phylogeny. Thus, although the denitrifying community of soils may differ in their propensity to emit N2O, it may be difficult to predict such characteristics by analysis of the community composition. A common feature of strains tested in our laboratory is that the relative amounts of N2O produced (N2O/(N2+N2O) product ratio) is correlated with acidity, apparently owing to interference with the assembly of the enzyme N2O reductase. The same phenomenon was demonstrated for soils and microbial communities extracted from soils. Liming could be a way to reduce N2O emissions, but needs verification by field experiments. More sophisticated ways to reduce emissions may emerge in the future as we learn more about the regulation of denitrification at the cellular level.

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus （ZIKV） highlight an urgent need for therapeutics. The protease complex NS2B- NS3 plays essential roles during flaviviral polyprotein processing, and thus represents an attractive drug target. Here, we developed a split luciferase complementation-based high-throughput screening assay to identify orthosteric inhibitors that directly target flavivirus NS2B-NS3 interactions. By screening a total of 2 816 approved and investigational drugs, we identified three potent candidates, temoporfin, niclosamide, and nitazoxanide, as flavivirus NS2B- NS3 interaction inhibitors with nanomolar potencies. Significantly, the most potent compound, temoporfin, not only inhibited ZIKV replication in human placental and neural progenitor cells, but also prevented ZIKV-induced viremia and mortality in mouse models. Structural docking suggests that temoporfin potentially binds NS3 pockets that hold critical NS2B residues, thus inhibiting flaviviral polyprotein processing in a non-competitive manner. As these drugs have already been approved for clinical use in other indications either in the USA or other countries, they represent promising and easily developed therapies for the management of infections by ZIKV and other flaviviruses.

Background The mitochondrion is an important cellular component in plants and that functions in producing vital energy for the cell. However, the evolution and structure of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) remain unclear in the Rosaceae family. In this study, we assembled 34 Rosaceae mitogenomes and characterized genome variation, rearrangement rate, and selection signal variation within these mitogenomes. Results Comparative analysis of six genera from the Amygdaloideae and five from the Rosoideae subfamilies of Rosaceae revealed that three protein-coding genes were absent from the mitogenomes of five Rosoideae genera. Positive correlations between genome size and repeat content were identified in 38 Rosaceae mitogenomes. Twenty repeats with high recombination frequency (> 50%) provided evidence for predominant substoichiometric conformation of the mitogenomes. Variations in rearrangement rates were identified between eleven genera, and within the Pyrus , Malus , Prunus , and Fragaria genera. Based on population data, phylogenetic inferences from Pyrus mitogenomes supported two distinct maternal lineages of Asian cultivated pears. A Pyrus -specific deletion (DEL-D) in selective sweeps was identified based on the assembled genomes and population data. After the DEL-D sequence fragments originally arose, they may have experienced a subsequent doubling event via homologous recombination and sequence transfer in the Amygdaloideae; afterwards, this variant sequence may have significantly expanded to cultivated groups, thereby improving adaptation during the domestication process. Conclusions This study characterizes the variations in gene content, genome size, rearrangement rate, and the impact of domestication in Rosaceae mitogenomes and provides insights into their structural variation patterns and phylogenetic relationships.

Background Sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), an intracellular cholesterol sensor located in the endoplasmic reticulum, regulates the intracellular cholesterol by the Insig-Srebp-Scap pathway. Over-expression of SREBP1 can cause dyslipidemia. SREBP1 can regulate the metabolic pathway, and then promote the proliferation of tumor cells. However, there is no relevant research of metastasis and invasion in the field of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Expression of SREBP1 was manipulated in CRC cell lines with low and high level SREBP1 expression by transfectiong with plasmids containing the SREBP1 gene, or by shRNA. The effect of SREBP1 on cell migration was assayed. The expression of SREBP1, p65 and MMP7 were detected by western blot. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell was used for detection of angiogenesis by adding the culture supernatant from HT29 and SW620. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. NF-κB inhibitor SN50 was used to test the relationship of SREBP1, NF-κB pathway and MMP7. Results We found that the expression of SREBP1 in colon adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in noncancerous tissues, especially in the invasive tumor front including tumor budding. In vitro, SREBP1 over-expressed in colon cancer cell lines HT29 promoted angiogenesis in endothelial cells, increased ROS levels, phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65 and increases MMP7 expression. The effect of SREBP1 on expression of MMP7 was lost following treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor SN50. Conclusion Our results suggest that SREBP1 can promote the invasion and metastasis of CRC cells by means of promoting the expression of MMP7 related to phosphorylation of p65.

HighlightsA timely and updated comprehensive overview focusing on integration of electrochromic aqueous batteries is provided.The key prerequisites of integration, basic operating mechanism, and compatibility of the respective components are examined.The latest advances and emerging applications are discussed, as well as the future roadmap.Multifunctional electrochromic-induced rechargeable aqueous batteries (MERABs) integrate electrochromism and aqueous ion batteries into one platform, which is able to deliver the conversion and storage of photo-thermal-electrochemical sources. Aqueous ion batteries compensate for the drawbacks of slow kinetic reactions and unsatisfied storage capacities of electrochromic devices. On the other hand, electrochromic technology can enable dynamically regulation of solar light and heat radiation. However, MERABs still face several technical issues, including a trade-off between electrochromic and electrochemical performance, low conversion efficiency and poor service life. In this connection, novel device configuration and electrode materials, and an optimized compatibility need to be considered for multidisciplinary applications. In this review, the unique advantages, key challenges and advanced applications are elucidated in a timely and comprehensive manner. Firstly, the prerequisites for effective integration of the working mechanism and device configuration, as well as the choice of electrode materials are examined. Secondly, the latest advances in the applications of MERABs are discussed, including wearable, self-powered, integrated systems and multisystem conversion. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and future development are outlined, highlighting the giant leap required from laboratory prototypes to large-scale production and eventual commercialization.

Surfactants are one of the major pollutants in laundry powder, which have an impact on the environment and human health. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are spherical zero-dimensional fluorescent nanoparticles with great potential for fluorescent probing, electrochemical biosensing and ion sensing. Herein, a bottom-up approach was developed for the synthesis of CQDs from biomass to detect laundry detergent and laundry powder. Waste chicken bones were used as carbon precursors after being dried, crushed and reacted with pure water at 180 °C for 4 h to generate CQDs, which exhibited a monodisperse quasi-spherical structure with an average particle size of 3.2 ± 0.2 nm. Functional groups, including -OH, C=O, C=C and C-O, were identified on the surface of the prepared CQDs. The optimal fluorescence excitation wavelength of the yellow-brown CQDs was 380 nm, with a corresponding emission peak at 465 nm. CQDs did not significantly increase cell death in multiple cell lines at concentrations of 200 µg·mL−1. Fluorescence enhancement of CQDs was observed after addition of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, a major anionic surfactant in laundry powder. A linear relationship between fluorescence enhancement CQDs and the concentration of laundry powder was established. Thus, a hydrothermal method was developed to generate CQDs from waste biomass that may be used as a fluorescent probe to detect laundry powder.