We report the synthesis and characterization of a three‐dimensional tetraphenylethene‐based octacationic cage that shows host–guest recognition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. coronene) in organic media and water‐soluble dyes (e.g. sulforhodamine 101) in aqueous media through CH⋅⋅⋅π, π–π, and/or electrostatic interactions. The cage⊃coronene exhibits a cuboid internal cavity with a size of approximately 17.2×11.0×6.96 Å3 and a “hamburger”‐type host–guest complex, which is hierarchically stacked into 1D nanotubes and a 3D supramolecular framework. The free cage possesses a similar cavity in the crystalline state. Furthermore, a host–guest complex formed between the octacationic cage and sulforhodamine 101 had a higher absolute quantum yield (ΦF=28.5 %), larger excitation–emission gap (Δλex‐em=211 nm), and longer emission lifetime (τ=7.0 ns) as compared to the guest (ΦF=10.5 %; Δλex‐em=11 nm; τ=4.9 ns), and purer emission (ΔλFWHM=38 nm) as compared to the host (ΔλFWHM=111 nm).

Background: Since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, considerable attention has been paid to its epidemiology and clinical characteristics in children. However, it is also crucial for clinicians to differentiate COVID-19 from other respiratory infectious diseases, such as influenza viruses. Methods: This was a retrospective study. Two groups of COVID-19 patients (n = 57) and influenza A patients (n = 59) were enrolled. We analyzed and compared their clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics and treatments. Results: The proportions of cough (70.2%), fever (54.4%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (14.1%) in COVID-19 patients were lower than those of influenza A patients (98.3%, P < 0.001; 84.7%, P < 0.001; and 35.6%, P = 0.007; respectively). In addition, COVID-19 patients showed significantly lower levels of leukocytes (7.87 vs. 9.89 Â 10 9 L -1 , P = 0.027), neutrophils (2.43 vs. 5.16 Â 10 9 L -1 , P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP; 3.7 vs. 15.1 mg/L, P = 0.001) and procalcitonin (PCT; 0.09 vs. 0.68 mm/h, P < 0.001), while lymphocyte levels (4.58 vs. 3.56 Â 109 L -1 ; P = 0.006) were significantly higher compared with influenza A patients. In terms of CT imaging, ground-glass opacification in chest CT was more common in COVID-19 patients than in influenza A patients (42.1% vs. 15%, P = 0.032). In contrast, consolidation was more common in influenza A patients (25%) than in COVID-19 patients (5.2%, P = 0.025). Conclusion:The clinical manifestations and laboratory tests of COVID-19 children are milder than those of influenza A children under 5 years. Additionally, imaging results more commonly presented as groundglass opacities in COVID-19 patients.

TIR signaling promotes the interactions between lipase-like proteins EDS1/PAD4 and ADR1-L1 immune receptor, and oligomerization of ADR1-L1.

Most plant fungal pathogens that cause worldwide crop losses are understudied due to various technical challenges. With the increasing availability of sequenced whole genomes of these non-model fungi, effective genetic analysis methods are highly desirable. Here we describe a newly developed pipeline, which combines forward genetic screening with high-throughput next-generation sequencing to enable quick gene discovery. We applied this pipeline in the notorious soilborne phytopathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and identified 32 mutants with various developmental and growth deficiencies. Detailed molecular studies of three melanisation-deficient mutants provide a proof of concept for the effectiveness of our method. A master transcription factor was found to regulate melanisation of sclerotia through the DHN (1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene) melanin biosynthesis pathway. In addition, these mutants revealed that sclerotial melanisation is important for sclerotia survival under abiotic stresses, sclerotial surface structure, and sexual reproduction. Foreseeably, this pipeline can be applied to facilitate efficient in-depth studies of other non-model fungal species in the future.

In both plants and animals, nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors perceive pathogen‐derived molecules to trigger immunity. Global NLR homeostasis must be tightly controlled to ensure sufficient and timely immune output while avoiding aberrant activation, the mechanisms of which are largely unclear. In a previous reverse genetic screen, we identified two novel E3 ligases, SNIPER1 and its homolog SNIPER2, both of which broadly control the levels of NLR immune receptors in Arabidopsis. Protein levels of sensor NLRs (sNLRs) are inversely correlated with SNIPER1 amount and the interactions between SNIPER1 and sNLRs seem to be through the common nucleotide‐binding (NB) domains of sNLRs. In support, SNIPER1 can ubiquitinate the NB domains of multiple sNLRs in vitro. Our study thus reveals a novel process of global turnover of sNLRs by two master E3 ligases for immediate attenuation of immune output to effectively avoid autoimmunity. Such unique mechanism can be utilized in the future for engineering broad‐spectrum resistance in crops to fend off pathogens that damage our food supply.

Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens affecting numerous plant hosts, including many important crop species. As a molecularly under-studied organism, its genome was only sequenced at the beginning of this century and it was recently updated with improved gene annotation and completeness. In this review, we summarize key molecular studies on B. cinerea developmental and pathogenesis processes, specifically on genes studied comprehensively with mutant analysis. Analyses of these studies have unveiled key genes in the biological processes of this pathogen, including hyphal growth, sclerotial formation, conidiation, pathogenicity and melanization. In addition, our synthesis has uncovered gaps in the present knowledge regarding development and virulence mechanisms. We hope this review will serve to enhance the knowledge of the biological mechanisms behind this notorious fungal pathogen.

No abstract

Ketamine has a rapid, obvious, and persistent antidepressant effect, but its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important modulators of ketamine’s antidepressant effect. We investigated the alteration in miR-29b-3p in the brain of rats subjected to ketamine administration and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and a sucrose preference test and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the rats’ depressive-like state. We used recombination adeno-associated virus (rAAV) or lentivirus-expressing miR-29b-3p to observe the change in metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (GRM4). Cell culture and electrophysiological recordings were used to evaluate the function of miR-29b-3p. Ketamine dramatically increased miR-29b-3p expression in the prefrontal cortex of the normal rats. The dual luciferase reporter test confirmed that GRM4 was the target of miR-29b-3p. The miR-29b-3p levels were downregulated, while the GRM4 levels were upregulated in the prefrontal cortex of the depressive-like rats. The ketamine treatment increased miR-29b-3p expression and decreased GRM4 expression in the prefrontal cortex of the depressive-like rats and primary neurons. By overexpressing and silencing miR-29b-3p, we further validated that miR-29b-3p could negatively regulate GRM4. The silencing of miR-29b-3p suppressed the Ca2+ influx in the prefrontal cortex neurons. The miR-29b-3p overexpression contributed to cell survival, cytodendrite growth, increases in extracellular glutamate concentration, and cell apoptosis inhibition. The overexpression of miR-29b-3p by rAAV resulted in a noticeable relief of the depressive behaviors of the CUMS rats and a lower expression of GRM4. The miR-29b-3p/GRM4 pathway acts as a critical mediator of ketamine’s antidepressant effect in depressive-like rats and could be considered a potential therapeutic target for treating major depression disorder.