• DWI-derived parameters from different models are capable of providing different pathophysiological information. • DWI, DKI and IVIM parameters are associated with Ki-67 proliferation status. • K derived from DKI is the strongest independent factor for the prediction of Ki-67 proliferation status.

Because of the lack of sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, therapeutic options for renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) are scarce. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the progression of cancer. However, their functional roles and upstream mechanisms in KIRC remain largely unknown. Exploring the functions of potential essential lncRNAs may lead to the discovery of novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of KIRC. Here, according to the integrated analysis of RNA sequencing and survival data in TCGA-KIRC datasets, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense lncRNA (CDKN2B-AS1) was discovered to be the most upregulated among the 14 lncRNAs that were significantly overexpressed in KIRC and related to shorter survival. Functionally, CDKN2B-AS1 depletion suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CDKN2B-AS1 exerted its oncogenic activity by recruiting the CREB-binding protein and SET and MYND domain-containing 3 epigenetic-modifying complex to the promoter region of Ndc80 kinetochore complex component (NUF2), where it epigenetically activated NUF2 transcription by augmenting local H3K27ac and H3K4me3 modifications. Moreover, we also showed that CDKN2B-AS1 interacted with and was stabilized by insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), an oncofetal protein showing increased levels in KIRC. The Kaplan–Meier method and receiver operating curve analysis revealed that patients whose IGF2BP3, CDKN2B-AS1 and NUF2 are all elevated showed the shortest survival time, and the combined panel (containing IGF2BP3, CDKN2B-AS1, and NUF2) possessed the highest accuracy in discriminating high-risk from low-risk KIRC patients. Thus, we conclude that the stabilization of CDKN2B-AS1 by IGF2BP3 drives the malignancy of KIRC through epigenetically activating NUF2 transcription and that the IGF2BP3/CDKN2B-AS1/NUF2 axis may be an ideal prognostic and diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for KIRC.

Sactionine-containing antibiotics (sactibiotics) are ag rowing class of peptide antibiotics belonging to the ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) superfamily.W er eport the characterization of thuricin Z, an ovel sactibiotic from Bacillus thuringiensis. Unusually,t he biosynthesis of thuricin Zi nvolves two radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes,T hzC and ThzD. Although ThzC and ThzD are highly divergent from each other,these two enzymes produced the same sactionine ring in the precursor peptide ThzA in vitro.T huricin Ze xhibits narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus.Aseries of analyses,i ncluding confocal laser scanning microscopy, ultrathin-sectioning transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and large-unilamellarvesicle-based fluorescence analysis,s uggested that thuricin Z binds to the bacterial cell membrane and leads to membrane permeabilization.

By virtue of a synergistically dual-directing-group (the O–NHAc part and the hydroxyl group)-assisted strategy, the efficient and practical Rh­(III)-catalyzed regioselective redox-neutral C–H functionalization of diverse N-phenoxyacetamides with propargyl alcohols has been realized, which led to the divergent synthesis of privileged benzofuran and chalcone frameworks in a solvent-controlled chemoselective manner. Experimental and computational studies reveal that the formation of the hydrogen bonding between dual directing groups and the subsequent coordination interaction between the hydroxyl group and the Rh­(III) catalyst play a decisive role in promoting the regioselective migratory insertion of the alkyne moiety. Thereafter, two solvent-controlled switchable reaction pathways, which respectively involve tandem β–H elimination/hydrogen transfer/oxidative addition/C–O bond reductive elimination/oxidation (for low-polar solvents: path I–I a via a RhIII–RhI–RhIII pathway) and oxidative addition/β–H elimination/hydrogen transfer/protonolysis (for high-polar solvents: path II–II b via a RhIII–RhV–RhIII pathway), are followed to deliver the corresponding products with excellent chemoselectivity. Taken together, our results presented here not only give an expansion in the area of O–NHAc-directed C–H activations but also provide a rational basis for future development of synergistic dual DGs-enabled C–H functionalization reactions.

Atlas-based DTI analysis was capable of indicating WM damage in the four regions associated with visual and visual-related functions in NTG patients, and it could also be used for investigating disease progression and pathologic changes. In addition, WM impairment and RNFL thinning occurred before patients showed detectable visual field loss.

Plasmon-mediated energy transfer is highly desirable in photo-electronic nanodevices, but the direct injection efficiency of "hot electrons" in plasmonic photo-detectors and plasmon-sensitized solar cells (plasmon-SSCs) is poor. On another front, Fano resonance induced by strong plasmon-exciton coupling provides an efficient channel of coherent energy transfer from metallic plasmons to molecular excitons, and organic dye molecules have a much better injection efficiency in exciton-SSCs than "hot electrons". Here, we investigate enhanced light-harvesting of chlorophyll-a molecules strongly coupled to Au nanostructured films via Fano resonance. The enhanced local field and plasmon resonance energy transfer are experimentally revealed by monitoring the ultrafast dynamical processes of the plexcitons and the photocurrent flows of the assembled plexciton-SSCs. By tuning the Fano factor and anti-resonance wavelengths, we find that the local field is largely enhanced and the efficiency of plexciton-SSCs consisting of ultrathin TiO2 films is significantly improved. Most strikingly, the output power of the plexciton-SSCs is much larger than the sum of those of the individual plasmon- and exciton-SSCs. Our observations provide a practical approach to monitor energy and electron transfer in plasmon-exciton hybrids at a strong coupling regime and also offer a new strategy to design photovoltaic nanodevices.

Objectives: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are characterized as a group of RNAs that more than 200 nucleotides in length and have no protein-coding function. More and more evidences provided that lncRNAs serve as key molecules in the development of cancer. Deregulation of lncRNAs functions as either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes in various diseases. Recently, increasing studies about PANDAR in cancer progression were reported. In our review, we will focus on the current research on the character of PANDAR include the clinical management, tumour progression and molecular mechanisms in human cancers. Materials and methods:We summarize and analyze current studies concerning the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA PANDA in tumour development. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed.Results: PANDAR was a well-characterized oncogenic lncRNA and widely overexpressed in many tumours. PANDAR is upregulated in many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, thyroid cancer and other cancers. Upregulation of PANDAR was significantly associated with advanced tumour weights, TNM stage and overall survival. Furthermore, repressed of PANDAR would restrain proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusion:PANDAR may act as a powerful tumour biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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