Binding specificities of human RNA-binding proteins toward structured and linear RNA sequences

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate RNA metabolism at multiple levels by affecting splicing of nascent transcripts, RNA folding, base modification, transport, localization, translation, and stability. Despite their central role in RNA function, the RNA-binding specificities of most RBPs remain unknown or incompletely defined. To address this, we have assembled a genome-scale collection of RBPs and their RNA-binding domains (RBDs) and assessed their specificities using high-through-put RNA-SELEX (HTR-SELEX). Approximately 70% of RBPs for which we obtained a motif bound to short linear sequenc-es, whereas similar to 30% preferred structured motifs folding into stem-loops. We also found that many RBPs can bind to multiple distinctly different motifs. Analysis of the matches of the motifs in human genomic sequences suggested novel roles for many RBPs. We found that three cytoplasmic proteins-ZC3H12A, ZC3H12B, and ZC3H12C-bound to motifs resembling the splice donor sequence, suggesting that these proteins are involved in degradation of cytoplasmic viral and/or unspliced transcripts. Structural analysis revealed that the RNA motif was not bound by the conventional C3H1 RNA-binding domain of ZC3H12B. Instead, the RNA motif was bound by the ZC3H12B's PilT N terminus (PIN) RNase domain, revealing a po-tential mechanism by which unconventional RBDs containing active sites or molecule-binding pockets could interact with short, structured RNA molecules. Our collection containing 145 high-resolution binding specificity models for 86 RBPs is the largest systematic resource for the analysis of human RBPs and will greatly facilitate future analysis of the various bi-ological roles of this important class of proteins.Peer reviewe

Research Progression of Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision for Low Rectal Cancer

Abstract It has been reported that the conventional abdominoperineal excision has the disadvantages of higher rates of positive circumferential resection margin and intraoperative bowel perforation. Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) has become increasingly used because of some evidence of improved oncological outcome. The superiority of extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) over conventional abdominoperineal excision (APE) remains controversial, despite the publication of many studies on this issue. The aim of this paper was to review the research progression of extralevator abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer

Farmer Households’ Livelihood Resilience in Ethnic Tourism Villages: A Case Study of the Wuling Mountain Area, China

Farmer households in tourist villages have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recovery of livelihood is proving difficult. In order to improve farmer households’ ability to cope with external shocks, we have applied the theoretical framework of resilience to study farmer households’ livelihood in ethnic tourism villages. Based on the survey data of 480 farmer households from 10 ethnic tourism villages in the Wuling Mountain area, this study constructs a livelihood resilience evaluation index system from three of the following dimensions: buffer capacity, adaptive capacity, and transformation capacity. These households are classified into three types: government-led, company-led, and community-led. In addition, the livelihood resilience and its influencing factors of each type is quantitatively assessed. The results show that the livelihood resilience of farmer households administered by the government, companies, and communities is 0.2984, 0.3250, and 0.2442, respectively. Government-led farmer households have the greatest transformation capacity, company-led farmer households have the largest buffer capacity and adaptive capacity, and community-led farmer households have the least capacity across the board. The results indicated that the company-led management of tourism development is currently the most appropriate mode of management for the local area. Four factors, namely, the number of family members engaged in tourism, the training opportunities for the development of professional skills, the education level of core family members, and the type of assistance subsidy available to a family, are the dominant obstacle factors with respect to the livelihood resilience of different types of farmer households. Finally, some recommendations are made to improve the farmer households’ livelihood resilience in ethnic tourism villages based on two aspects of organization management and farmer households’ behavior. The findings of this study can be used as a theoretical foundation for future research on farmer households’ resilience to poverty in underdeveloped ethnic tourism villages

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review

This systematic and meta-analytic review aimed to investigate the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on the cognitive function of the elderly with cognitive impairment and to analyze the moderators of these effects. We searched eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials on the effects of TCC on cognitive function, published up to June 14, 2020. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included literature. Stata14.0 software was used for meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias testing. A total of 19 studies and 1,970 samples were included. The methodological quality of the included literature was fair to good, and there was no publication bias. Overall, the research shows that the effect of TCC on the elderly with cognitive impairment is statistically significant (SMD = 0.31, p<0.0001). Five of the cognitive function subdomains were significant moderators [Q (5) = 15.66, p=0.008], and the effect size (ES) was the largest for global cognitive function (SMD = 0.41), followed by executive function (SMD = 0.33), memory (SMD = 0.31), and verbal fluency (SMD = 0.27). Regarding the exercise prescription variables, results were significantly moderated by the length of exercise training [Q (2) = 6.00, p=0.05], with ESs largest for moderate length (SMD = 0.41), followed by short length (SMD = 0.40) and long length (SMD = 0.29). However, the results were not moderated by session time or frequency. TCC can improve multiple cognitive functions of the elderly with cognitive impairment. The intervention effects are moderated by exercise length, but not by exercise session time and frequency

A Comparative Study of Multi-Model Ensemble Forecasting Accuracy between Equal- and Variant-Weight Techniques

Previous studies on multi-model ensemble forecasting mainly focused on the weight allocation of each model, but did not discuss how to suppress the reduction of ensemble forecasting accuracy when adding poorer models. Based on a variant weight (VW) method and the equal weight (EW) method, this study explored this topic through theoretical and real case analyses. A theoretical proof is made, showing that this VW method can improve the forecasting accuracy of a multi-model ensemble, in the case of either the same models combination or adding an even worse model into the original multi-model ensemble, compared to the EW method. Comparative multi-model ensemble forecasting experiments against a real case between the VW and EW methods show that the forecasting accuracy of a multi-model ensemble applying the VW method is better than that of each individual model (including the model from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). The 2 m temperature forecasting applying the VW method is superior to that applying the EW method for all the multi-model ensembles. Both theoretical proof and numerical experiments show that an improved forecast, better than a best model, is generally possible

Triflumizole Induces Developmental Toxicity, Liver Damage, Oxidative Stress, Heat Shock Response, Inflammation, and Lipid Synthesis in Zebrafish

Triflumizole (TFZ) toxicity must be investigated in the aquatic environment to understand the potential risks to aquatic species. Accordingly, the adverse effects of TFZ exposure in zebrafish were investigated. Results demonstrate that, after TFZ exposure, the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) in 3 d post-fertilization (dpf) embryos and 6 dpf larvae were 4.872 and 2.580 mg/L, respectively. The development (including pericardium edema, yolk sac retention, and liver degeneration) was apparently affected in 3 dpf embryos. Furthermore, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in 6 dpf larvae were significantly increased. Additionally, the expression of heat shock response genes (including hsp70, grp78, hsp90, and grp94), inflammatory genes (including p65-nf&kappa;b, il-1&beta;, and cox2a), and lipid synthetic genes (including srebp1, fas, acc, and ppar-&gamma;) in 3 dpf embryos was significantly increased, which was also partially observed in the intestinal cell line form Pampus argenteus. Taken together, TFZ could affect the development of zebrafish, accompanied by disturbances of oxidative stress, heat shock response, inflammation, and lipid synthesis. Our findings provide an original insight into the potential risks of TFZ to the aquatic ecosystem

Effect of Ti Content on the Microstructure and Properties of CoCrFeNiMnTi_x High Entropy Alloy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Ti element addition on the microstructure and properties of CoCrFeNiMn high entropy alloys. The Ti element modified CoCrFeNiMnTix high entropy alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting processing. The Ti rich body-centered cubic structure phase was observed in CoCrFeNiMnTi0.25 and CoCrFeNiMnTi0.55 instead of a simple face-centered cubic structure in CoCrFeNiMn. The amount of the Ti-rich phase depicted an increasing trend with increasing Ti content. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties of CoCrFeNiMnTix were obviously improved. When the Ti content is 0, 0.25 and 0.55, the microhardness is 175 HV, 253 HV and 646 HV, which has an obvious increasing trend, while the ductility decreased. The tensile properties show a trend of first strengthening and then decreasing, changing from 461 MPa to 631 MPa and then to 287 MPa. When x was 0.55, the solid–liquid transition temperature of the alloy decreased, and the melting temperature range increased

The Influences of Tai Chi on Balance Function and Exercise Capacity among Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. This study aims to explore the influences of Tai Chi on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Methods. Databases including PubMed, Embase, WOS (Web of Science), the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Data, VIP (VIP database), and CBM (China Biology Medicine disc) were retrieved to gather the figures of randomized controlled trials on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Then relevant data were input and analyzed in Review Manager 5.3. Results. Nineteen papers were included and analyzed in this study. According to the combined effect size, the balance function of stroke patients improved significantly: the Berg Balance Function Scale score [MD = 7.67, 95% CI (3.44, 11.90)]; standing and walking test scores [MD = 3.42, 95% CI (4.22, −2.63)]; gravity swing area [MD = 0.79, 95% CI (1.48, 0.10)]; and gravity swing speed [MD = −5.43, 95% CI (−7.79, 3.08)]. In addition, the exercise capacity improved significantly as well: the FMA (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale) scale score [MD = 4.15, 95% CI (1.68, 6.63)]. There are no significant influences or changes of other related results. Conclusions. Stroke patients are able to improve their balance functions and exercise capacities prominently when they do Tai Chi exercise once or twice a week and ≥5 times/week and >30 ≤ 60 min/time