Structural insights into Type II-D Cas9 and its robust cleavage activity.

Type II-D Cas9 proteins (Cas9d) are more compact than typical Type II-A/B/C Cas9s. Here, we demonstrate that NsCas9d from Nitrospirae bacterium RBG_13_39_12 derived from a metagenomic assembly exhibits robust dsDNA cleavage activity comparable to SpCas9 in vitro. Unlike typical Cas9 enzymes that generate blunt ends, NsCas9d produces 3-nucleotide staggered overhangs.

Novel mathematical model for preoperatively predicting pelvic tilt in patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis due to ankylosing spondylitis after three-column osteotomy.

Objectives: This study aimed to introduce a novel mathematical model for preoperative precalculated pelvic tilt (PT) in patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis due to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) after three-column osteotomy.

Methods: A total of 20 patients with AS, including 19 men and one woman, who underwent three-column osteotomy from April 2017 to April 2021, in the study hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Spinopelvic parameters, including global kyphosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, PT, sagittal vertical axis, horizontal distance between hip axis and hilus pulmonis (HDHH), measured on preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up radiographs were analyzed.

Coaxial Electroluminochromic Fibers with Dynamic RGB Switching for Pixelated Smart Textiles.

The immense potential of electronic textiles for wearable applications has spurred extensive research into luminescent fibers suitable for smart textile displays. However, current electroluminescent (EL) fibers, while flexible and wearable, typically emit only a fixed color and have a 1D structure, which confines fiber-based displays to pre-designed patterns. Here, a coaxial hierarchical fiber structure is fabricated with an insulating polymer layer sandwiched between an EL core and an electrochromic (EC) shell based on carbon nanotube fibers.

Application of standing hyperextension lateral radiograph and full-length spine computed tomography scout view in the prone position in spinal flexibility assessment for patients with symptomatic old osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture with kyphotic deformity: A comparative analysis.

Background: Accurate assessment of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) flexibility is paramount in preoperative planning for patients with symptomatic old osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (so-OTLF) exhibiting kyphotic deformity. While conventional standing hyperextension lateral radiographs (SHLR) are utilized, comparative analyses with prone computed tomography (CT) scout views in the sagittal plane remain limited. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of SHLR and full-length spine CT (FLS-CT) scout views in the prone position for assessing TLK flexibility in so-OTLF patients.

Identification and Analysis of Two Critical Structural Parameters Governing the Strength of Carbon Nanotube Fibers.

Despite significant advancements in theoretical and experimental research, the strength of state-of-the-art carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) still falls short of their theoretical limits. To bridge this gap, a detailed understanding of the structure-strength relationships of CNTFs is urgently needed to guide enhancement of the fiber strength. In this work, a mesoscale quantitative model employing coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations was proposed to investigate the relationship between the conformation of CNTFs and fiber strength.

NOX4 Regulates NLRP3 by Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of LRRC8A to Promote Ferroptosis in Nucleus Pulposus Cells.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a significant contributor to low back pain, imposing a considerable socioeconomic burden. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death driven by iron and characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), has been associated with the progression of IDD. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been widely recognized as a pivotal factor promoting ferroptosis across various diseases; however, its precise role in the pathogenesis of IDD remains incompletely understood.

Characterization of the second type of tubuliform spidroin (TuSp1 variant 2) elucidates the essential role of cysteine within the repetitive domain in liquid-liquid phase separation-mediated silk formation and the mechanical properties of silk fibers.

Orb-weaver spiders utilize morphologically differentiated abdominal glands to produce up to seven types of silks throughout their life cycles. Tubuliform silk is unique as it serves to protect developing embryos and hatchlings. However, our current understanding of the relationship between structure and function of tubuliform silk protein remains limited.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma With the "Leopard Man" Appearance on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Subcutaneous nodules and masses as the primary manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are exceedingly rare. We present 18 F-FDG PET/CT findings of multiple hypermetabolic nodules and masses distributed throughout the body, creating a characteristic "leopard man" appearance on the MIP image, in a 65-year-old man. An excisional biopsy of the right thigh mass confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Radiative Cooling Meta-Fabric Integrated with Knitting Perspiration-Wicking and Coating Heat Conduction.

Radiative cooling is an emerging zero-energy-consumption technology for human body cooling in outdoor scenarios during hot seasons. However, existing radiative cooling textiles are limited by low intrinsic cooling power, high hydrophobicity, and heat-insulating properties, which seriously impede a satisfying cooling effect, perspiration-wicking, and heat dissipation, thus limiting human thermal comfort in practical situations. Here, we developed a radiative cooling meta-fabric that was integrated with high perspiration-wicking and thermal conduction capacity.

A narrow band blue phosphor NaBaAlBOCl:Eu for white light emitting diodes.

Exploring new photoexcited phosphors has attracted attention for improving the performance of white LEDs. Here, an NaBaAlBOCl:Eu phosphor with high color purity (94.11%) has been synthesized.

Silencing of the Gene via dsRNA Affects Root Development and Growth in the Invasive Weed .

("mile-a-minute" weed) is a global invasive alien weed that can cause severe damage to agroforestry ecosystems and significant agricultural losses worldwide. Although chemical, manual, or mechanical control methods are widely used to control , RNA interference (RNAi)-based biocontrol methods have rarely been reported for this species. The () gene, encoding an auxin response factor, plays an essential role in embryonic root initiation in .

B105-8, a potential and efficient biocontrol agent in control of maize stalk rot caused by .

Introduction: Maize stalk rot (MSR), caused by , is the most serious soil borne disease in maize production, seriously affecting maize yield and quality worldwide. Microbial biocontrol agents are the best means of controlling MSR and reducing the use of chemical fungicides, such as spp.

Methods And Results: In the study, a soil-isolated strain B105-8 was identified as (accession No.

Novel functional carbon dot based on Angelica residue and polyethyleneimine: A super-efficient corrosion and scale inhibitor.

The stability and high-dose addition of carbon dots in corrosion and scale inhibition are obstacles to their commercial application. Herein, we report a new type of functional CDs (PEI-CD) based on Angelica residue and polyethyleneimine (PEI), which can remarkably boost the performance of corrosion and scale inhibition, while expending the application of traditional Chinese medicine waste residue. At 303.

Controlled synthesis, properties, and applications of ultralong carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are typical one-dimensional nanomaterials which have been widely studied for more than three decades since 1991 because of their excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Among various types of CNTs, the ultralong CNTs which have lengths over centimeters and defect-free structures exhibit superior advantages for fabricating superstrong CNT fibers, CNT-based chips, transparent conductive films, and high-performance cables. The length, orientation, alignment, defects, cleanliness, and other microscopic characteristics of CNTs have significant impacts on their fundamental physical properties.

Tailoring Single-Atom Coordination Environments in Carbon Nanofibers via Flash Heating for Highly Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

The rational design of carbon-supported transition metal single-atom catalysts necessitates precise atomic positioning within the precursor. However, structural collapse during pyrolysis can occlude single atoms, posing significant challenges in controlling both their utilization and coordination environment. Herein, we present a surface atom adsorption-flash heating (FH) strategy, which ensures that the pre-designed carbon nanofiber structure remains intact during heating, preventing unforeseen collapse effects and enabling the formation of metal atoms in nano-environments with either tetra-nitrogen or penta-nitrogen coordination at different flash heating temperatures.

A broadband active sound absorber with adjustable absorption coefficient and bandwidth.

Broadband adjustable sound absorbers are desired for controlling the acoustic conditions within enclosed spaces. Existing studies on acoustic absorbers, either passive or active, aim to maximize the sound absorption coefficients over an extended frequency band. By contrast, this paper introduces a tunable acoustic absorber, whose working frequency band and sound absorption characteristics can be defined by users for different applications.

Dimerization and liquid-liquid phase separation of the nonrepetitive domains of pyriform spidroin 1 controls the pyriform silk formation.

Spiders spin high performance silks with diverse mechanical properties for specific biological functions. Of these spider silk types, pyriform silk stands out as a unique combination of wet glue and dry fibers. Investigation of self-assembly process of spider silk proteins is necessary for elucidating the silk formation mechanism.

Polydopamine-armored zeolitic imidazolate framework-8-incorporated zwitterionic hydrogel with multifunctional properties for infected wound healing.

Diabetic skin wound healing is compromised by bacterial infections, oxidative stress, and vascular disruption, leading to delayed recovery and potential complications. This study developed an antibacterial, antioxidant, and adhesive hydrogel dressing that promotes rapid bacterial-infected diabetic wound healing using the biological macromolecule of polydopamine (PDA). This hydrogel comprised PDA-armored zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (PDA@ZIF-8 NPs) combined with a second armor of zwitterionic polymer network (poly(acrylamide-co-sulfobetaine methacrylate); PAS), realizing low concentration Zn release, good adhesion (14.

Taxonomic Reframe of Some Species of the Genera Haloferax and Halobellus.

Haloferax and Halobellus are the representatives of the family Haloferacaceae and they are dominant in hypersaline ecosystems. Some Haloferax and Halobellus species exhibit a close evolutionary relationship. Genomic, phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequence), and phylogenomic analysis were performed to evaluate the taxonomic positions of the genera Haloferax and Halobellus.

Two Novel Alkaliphilic Species Isolated from Saline-Alkali Soil in China: sp. nov., and sp. nov.

The degradation of farmland in China underscores the need for developing and utilizing saline-alkali soil. Soil health relies on microbial activity, which aids in the restoration of the land's ecosystem, and hence it is important to understand microbial diversity. In the present study, two Gram-stain-positive strains HR 1-10 and J-A-003 were isolated from saline-alkali soil.

Reclassification of Some Exiguobacterium Species Based on Genome Analysis.

The Exiguobacterium genus comprises Gram-stain-positive and facultatively anaerobic bacteria. Some Exiguobacterium species have previously shown significant high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with each other. This study evaluates the taxonomic classification of those Exiguobacterium species through comprehensive genome analysis.