Downregulation of CENPF Remodels Prostate Cancer Cells and Alters Cellular Metabolism

Metabolic alterations in prostate cancer (PC) are associated with progression and aggressiveness. However, the underlying mechanisms behind PC metabolic functions are unknown. The authors’ group recently reported on the important role of centromere protein F (CENPF), a protein associated with the centromere–kinetochore complex and chromosomal segregation during mitosis, in PC MRI visibility. This study focuses on discerning the role of CENPF in metabolic perturbation in human PC3 cells. A series of bioinformatics analyses shows that CENPF is one gene that is strongly associated with aggressive PC and that its expression is positively correlated with metastasis. By identifying and reconstructing the CENPF network, additional associations with lipid regulation are found. Further untargeted metabolomics analysis using gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry reveals that silencing of CENPF alters the global metabolic profiles of PC cells and inhibits cell proliferation, which suggests that CENPF may be a critical regulator of PC metabolism. These findings provide useful scientific insights that can be applied in future studies investigating potential targets for PC treatment.     

Slot‐Die and Roll‐to‐Roll Processed Single Junction Organic Photovoltaic Cells with the Highest Efficiency

The record efficiency of the state‐of‐the‐art polymer solar cells (PSCs) is rapidly increasing, due to the discovery of high‐performance photoactive donor and acceptor materials. However, strong questions remain as to whether such high‐efficiency PSCs can be produced by scalable processes. This paper reports a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.5% achieved with single‐junction ternary PSCs based on PTB7‐Th, PC₇₁BM, and COi8DFIC fabricated by slot‐die coating, which shows the highest PCE ever reported in PSCs fabricated by a scalable process. To understand the origin of the high performance of the slot‐die coated device, slot‐die coated photoactive films and devices are systematically investigated. These results indicate that the good performance of the slot‐die PSCs can be due to a favorable molecule‐structure and film‐morphology change by introducing 1,8‐diiodooctane and heat treatment, which can lead to improved charge transport with reduced carrier recombination. The optimized condition is then used for the fabrication of large‐area modules and also for roll‐to‐roll fabrication. The slot‐die coated module with 30 cm² active‐area and roll‐to‐roll produced flexible PSC has shown 8.6% and 9.6%, respectively. These efficiencies are the highest in each category and demonstrate the strong potential of the slot‐die coated ternary system for commercial applications.     

Preliminary analysis of geographical distribution based on cold hardiness for Evergestis extimalis (Scopoli) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Evergestis extimalis  (Scopoli) is a pest insect present in spring rape fields of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. A survey of its distribution and analysis of its physiological and biochemical variances of its overwintering larvae were conducted in this study. Prior to 2006, Evergestis extimalis Scopli appeared only sporadically at the east agricultural district of Qinghai Province at 2,100 m elevation; after 2006, there have been frequent outbreaks at 2,200 m or so height. The insect's distribution has extended continuously toward higher altitudes yearly, and the scope of its damage reached 2,800 m height in 2010. These changes indicate that the cold hardiness of E. extimalis is on the rise. Physiological and biochemical analyses were performed for the insect's overwintering larvae from November 2011 to March 2012. The supercooling point (SCP) and freezing point (FP) ranged from ?6.85°C to ?12.49°C and from ?6.23°C to ?8.17°C, respectively, and both were at their respective lowest points in January 2012; the lowest points of water and fat contents (which did not vary to any extreme degree throughout the test period) were also observed in January 2012. Glycogen content varied from 2.42 mg/g to 4.56 mg/g. Protein content increased gradually at the first two months and reached its peak in January 2012 before dropping slightly. The activity of protective enzymes POD, CAT, and SOD varied with changes in environmental temperature, and each was at its lowest point in January 2012. With the exception of protein and glycerol content, other physiological and biochemical variances were generally parallel with environmental temperature, strongly indicating that E. extimalis has indeed developed cold hardiness.     

Cationic micelle: A promising nanocarrier for gene delivery with high transfection efficiency

Micelles have demonstrated an excellent ability to deliver several different types of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapy drugs, proteins, small‐interfering RNA and DNA, into tumor cells. Cationic micelles, comprising self‐assemblies of amphiphilic cationic polymers, have exhibited tremendous promise with respect to the delivery of therapy genes and gene transfection. To date, research in the field has focused on achieving an enhanced stability of the micellar assembly, prolonged circulation times and controlled release of the gene. This review focuses on the micelles as a nanosized carrier system for gene delivery, the system‐related modifications for cytoplasm release, stability and biocompatibility, and clinic trials. In accordance with the development of synthetic chemistry and self‐assembly technology, the structures and functionalities of micelles can be precisely controlled, and hence the synthetic micelles not only efficiently condense DNA, but also facilitate DNA endocytosis, endosomal escape, DNA uptake and nuclear transport, resulting in a comparable gene transfection of virus.     

氮添加和水分胁迫对红松、水曲柳幼苗生物量分配的影响

氮沉降和暖干化是我国东北地区面临的主要生态问题,它将对森林生态系统产生怎样的影响一直是生态学研究的热点.本研究以东北温带阔叶红松林中2个关键树种——红松和水曲柳为研究对象,探讨水分胁迫和氮(N)添加对其幼苗短期(55周)生长的影响.结果表明: 红松与水曲柳幼苗生长对N添加和水分胁迫的响应有明显差异.红松对水分胁迫更加敏感,在处理早期(10周)水分胁迫降低了红松幼苗叶生物量,提高了根生物量;N添加只在水分胁迫发生时显著减少了红松根和植株总生物量.水曲柳对N添加的反应更加敏感,氮添加迅速增加了水曲柳茎、根和总生物量;而只有持续的水分胁迫才对水曲柳的茎、根和总生物量有显著影响.红松和水曲柳在持续水分胁迫和N添加处理下,叶、根生物量占比和地上、地下生物量之比都趋于维持一个稳定值,说明两个树种都有很强的自我调节能力.以上结果说明,在未来干旱条件下,红松采取的是“积极”的调整策略,而水曲柳则是“被动”的适应策略,因而相比较而言,红松存活和适应能力可能更强;而在N沉降增加的环境下,水曲柳受益会更大.这些结果可为预测未来东北温带森林群落演替动态提供参考.     

体外多酶分子机器的现状和最新进展

体外多酶分子机器遵循所设计的多酶催化路径,将若干种纯化或部分纯化的酶元件进行合理的优化与适配,高效地在体外将特定的底物转化为目标化合物。体外多酶分子机器反应系统呈现元件化和模块化的特点,在设计、组装和调控方面具有较高的自由度。近年来,体外多酶分子机器在实现反应过程的精准调控和提高产品得率方面的优势逐渐体现,展示了其在生物制造领域重要的应用潜力。对体外多酶分子机器的相关研究已成为合成生物学的一个重要分支领域,日益受到广泛的关注。文中系统地综述了基于酶元件/模块的体外多酶分子机器的构建策略,以及改善该分子机器中酶元件/模块之间适配性的研究进展,并分析了该生物制造平台的发展前景与挑战。