A gene cluster in Agrobacterium vitis homologous to polyketide synthase operons is associated with grape necrosis and hypersensitive response induction on tobacco

Here, we identify a cluster of eight genes on chromosome 2 of Agrobacterium vitis that is associated with the ability of the bacterium to cause a hypersensitive response on tobacco and a necrosis of grape shoot explants. Three of these genes share a high level of structural and sequence similarity to clusters of genes in other bacteria that encode the enzymes for biosynthesis of polyketides and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. No similar gene clusters were discovered in sequenced genomes of other members of Rhizobiale

luxR Homolog avhR in Agrobacterium vitis Affects the Development of a Grape-Specific Necrosis and a Tobacco Hypersensitive Response

The luxR homolog aviR in Agrobacterium vitis strain F2/5 was recently shown to be associated with induction of a hypersensitive response (HR) on tobacco and necrosis on grape plants, indicating that the responses are regulated by quorum sensing. We now report a second luxR homolog, avhR, whose disruption (mutant M1320) results in HR-negative and reduced grape necrosis phenotypes. The deduced AvhR protein has characteristic autoinducer binding and DNA binding domains and is unique among reported functional LuxR homologs in having substitutions at highly conserved Asp70, Trp57, and Trp85 residues, which are predicted to play important roles in autoinducer binding in TraR. M1320 was fully complemented with cloned avhR. The same array of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) from F2/5, M1320, and complemented M1320 were observed; however, the signal strength from extracts of 6-day-old M1320 cultures was stronger than that of F2/5. Cultures of F2/5 amended with AHL extracts from overnight and 6-day cultures of F2/5 and M1320 were not affected in ability to cause HR or necrosis. A region of about 14 kb flanking avhR was sequenced and compared with homologous regions of A. tumefaciens C58 and Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm1021 genomes. Gene order and homology are conserved between the species. A site-directed mutation in a putative gene that resides downstream of avhR and that has homology to genes belonging to the ATP-binding cassette transporter family did not affect HR or necrosis phenotypes. It was determined that avhR and aviR are expressed independently and that neither regulates the expression of a clpA homolog in F2/5

Research on the stability evolution mechanism and combinatorial optimization decision‐making of multitype heterogeneous energy cooperative operation

Abstract Considering the cooperative willingness of multiple heterogeneous energy sources to participate in the alliance, the stability of the cooperative operation of each entity (hereinafter referred to as stability) and the supporting mechanism of its optimal combination to realize the high proportion of new energy generation are studied. Through simulating load peak‐cutting and valley‐filling in the power system, the difference between the load value and the base load in the 24 h of the daily load curve is used as the calculation condition for the supply balance of the alliance. Based on the source‐load power balance model, the feasibility of power data normalization is derived and demonstrated. Simultaneously, taking into account the time‐of‐use price cost of each entity, a multiscale operation cost allocation and stability evolution analysis model for the alliance is constructed using the Shapley value and the largest consistent set method. By comparing the willingness of each entity to engage in the alliance, as well as the multiscale operation stability and economic change rule of different alliances, the results demonstrate that: (1) Alliance 1 has the advantage of economic operation. (2) The common stability period of different alliances is influenced by the participation preferences of each entity (wind power, photovoltaic, and thermal power tend to participate in Alliance 1, while hydropower tends to participate in Alliance 2). (3) Alliance internal restructuring can be carried out by utilizing spatial and temporal difference characteristics of different entities’ participation in alliance preferences, thereby achieving alliance stability and efficient operation. This study provides a theoretical basis for making decisions regarding the optimized stable operation of the alliance

Effects of Second Phases on Microstructure, Microhardness, and Corrosion Behavior of Mg-3Sn-(1Ca) Alloys

The effects of second phases on microstructure, microhardness, and corrosion behavior of aged Mg-3Sn (T3) and Mg-3Sn-1Ca (TX31) alloys are investigated systematically. The thermal stability of the CaMgSn phase is higher than that of the Mg2Sn phase, and the microstructure remains essentially unchanged in the TX31 alloy after solution treatment for 28 h at 733 K. The T3 alloy exhibits double age-hardening peaks; one is 54.9 ± 2.1 HV for 7 h, and the other is 57.4 ± 2.8 HV for 15 h. However, the microhardness quickly reaches a stable value with increasing aging times in the TX31 alloy due to the no change in CaMgSn phases. It was also found by electrochemical impedance spectra that the corrosion resistance of aged T3 alloy is superior to that of aged TX31 alloy, especially T3 alloy aged for 7 h. The corrosion film of aged T3 alloy is denser, which attributes to most of dissolved Sn in the α-Mg matrix and the formation of a small quantity of tiny Mg2Sn particles, and effectively prevents the occurrence of further corrosion of the Mg matrix. However, galvanic cells formed between α-Mg and CaMgSn phases accelerate the corrosion of aged TX31 alloy

Expert consensus on multidisciplinary therapy of colorectal cancer with lung metastases (2019 edition)

Abstract The lungs are the second most common site of metastasis for colorectal cancer (CRC) after the liver. Rectal cancer is associated with a higher incidence of lung metastases compared to colon cancer. In China, the proportion of rectal cancer cases is around 50%, much higher than that in Western countries (nearly 30%). However, there is no available consensus or guideline focusing on CRC with lung metastases. We conducted an extensive discussion and reached a consensus of management for lung metastases in CRC based on current research reports and the experts’ clinical experiences and knowledge. This consensus provided detailed approaches of diagnosis and differential diagnosis and provided general guidelines for multidisciplinary therapy (MDT) of lung metastases. We also focused on recommendations of MDT management of synchronous lung metastases and initial metachronous lung metastases. This consensus might improve clinical practice of CRC with lung metastases in China and will encourage oncologists to conduct more clinical trials to obtain high-level evidences about managing lung metastases