Development and application of an indirect ELISA for detection of antibodies against emerging atypical porcine pestivirus

BACKGROUND

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) is a newly discovered swine pestivirus, which can cause congenital tremor and high mortality in newborn piglets and subclinical infection in adult pigs, leading to significant impacts on the pig industry. Currently, there is no approved serological method to assess APPV infection status in pig farms.

METHODS

In this study, the envelope glycoprotein E2 of APPV was highly expressed in suspension HEK293 cells, and further an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the recombinant E2 protein (E2-iELISA) was developed and evaluated.

RESULTS

The reaction parameters of the E2-iELISA were optimized, and the cutoff value was determined to be 0.2 by analyzing S/P values of 165 negative sera against APPV that were confirmed by virus neutralization test (VNT). Specificity test showed that the method had no cross-reaction with other common swine viruses. The E2-iELISA was evaluated using a panel of swine sera, and showed high sensitivity (113/120, 94.2%) and specificity (65/70, 92.9%), and the agreement rate with VNT was 93.7% (178/190). Subsequently, the E2-iELISA was utilized to investigate the seroprevalence of APPV in pig herds of China. When detecting 1368 pig serum samples collected from nine provinces in China, the overall seroprevalence of APPV was 73.9% (1011/1368).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the E2-iELISA is specific and sensitive, and could be a valuable tool for serological surveillance of APPV infection in pigs.

Turbulence mitigation of four mode-division-multiplexed QPSK channels in a pilot-assisted self-coherent free-space optical link using a photodetector array and DSP-based channel demultiplexing

In this Letter, we demonstrate turbulence mitigation of four mode-division-multiplexing (MDM) quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) channels in a pilot-assisted self-coherent free-space optical (FSO) link using a photodetector (PD) array and digital signal processing (DSP)-based channel demultiplexing. A Gaussian pilot beam is co-transmitted with four 1-Gbaud QPSK channels carried by four orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. The pilot beam experiences similar turbulence-induced wavefront distortion to the data beams. At the receiver, the turbulence distortion is mitigated by its conjugate during the pilot-data mixing in a PD array. Subsequently, we demultiplex the four channels by applying in DSP a fixed matrix on the signals. Results show that our approach has <3-dB turbulence-induced power penalty at a 7% forward error correction (FEC) limit under a turbulence strength of 2w0/r0 = ∼4.4. The same turbulence can cause >18-dB penalties for a local oscillator (LO)-based coherent MDM system.

Pore engineering of micro/mesoporous nanomaterials for encapsulation, controlled release and variegated applications of essential oils

Essential oils have become increasingly popular in fields of medical, food and agriculture, owing to their strongly antimicrobial, anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects, greatly meeting demand from consumers for healthy and safe natural products. However, the easy volatility and/or chemical instability of active ingredients of essential oils (EAIs) can result in the loss of activity before realizing their functions, which have greatly hindered the widely applications of EAIs. As an emerging trend, micro/mesoporous nanomaterials (MNs) have drawn great attention for encapsulation and controlled release of EAIs, owing to their tunable pore structural characteristics. In this review, we briefly discuss the recent advances of MNs that widely used in the controlled release of EAIs, including zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs), and provide a comprehensive summary focusing on the pore engineering strategies of MNs that affect their controlled-release or triggered-release for EAIs, including tailorable pore structure properties (e.g., pore size, pore surface area, pore volume, pore geometry, and framework compositions) and surface properties (surface modification and surface functionalization). Finally, the variegated applications and potential challenges are also given for MNs based delivery strategies for EAIs in the fields of healthcare, food and agriculture. These will provide considerable instructions for the rational design of MNs for controlled release of EAIs.

Anlotinib suppressed tumor cell proliferation and migration in hypopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to study the in-vitro effects of multitarget inhibitor anlotinib on hypopharyngeal cancer cell proliferation and cell migration, and the underlying mechanism, which will provide new drug choices for hypopharyngeal cancer treatment.

METHODS

The Hypopharyngeal cancer Fadu cells were treated with anlotinib at a concentration of 0, 5, and 10 μmoL/L, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 and the colony-forming assay were used to detect the inhibition of cell proliferation. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect the migration and invasion ability of cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of anlotinib on cell cycle and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure gene expression levels.

RESULTS

CCK-8 and colony-forming assay showed that anlotinib could significantly inhibit cell proliferative activity. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay showed that anlotinib could inhibit cell migration and scratch. These results showed that anlotinib has obvious antitumor activity. Flow cell cycle experiment showed that anlotinib could promote Fadu cell apoptosis and block the G2/M phase for inhibiting cell proliferation. In addition, anlotinib decreased the expression of HIF-1α.

CONCLUSIONS

Anlotinib has an excellent suppressing effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hypopharyngeal cancer Fadu cells in-vitro. Moreover, it can play an anti-tumor role through blocking cell cycle G2/M and promoting apoptosis, which may be related to the decrease of HIF-1a expression. Our study would provide a potential treatment method for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

Identification of crucial roles of transcription factor IhfA on high production of free fatty acids in Escherichia coli

Transcription factor engineering has unique advantages in improving the performance of microbial cell factories due to the global regulation of gene transcription. Omics analyses and reverse engineering enable learning and subsequent incorporation of novel design strategies for further engineering. Here, we identify the role of the global regulator IhfA for overproduction of free fatty acids (FFAs) using CRISPRi-facilitated reverse engineering and cellular physiological characterization. From the differentially expressed genes in the ihfAL- strain, a total of 14 beneficial targets that enhance FFAs production by above 20 % are identified, which involve membrane function, oxidative stress, and others. For membrane-related genes, the engineered strains obtain lower cell surface hydrophobicity and increased average length of membrane lipid tails. For oxidative stress-related genes, the engineered strains present decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These gene modulations enhance cellular robustness and save cellular resources, contributing to FFAs production. This study provides novel targets and strategies for engineering microbial cell factories with improved FFAs bioproduction.

The hidden risk: Changes in functional potentials of microbial keystone taxa under global climate change jeopardizing soil carbon storage in alpine grasslands

Climate change is endangering the soil carbon stock of alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), but the limited comprehension regarding the mechanisms that sustain carbon storage under hydrothermal changes increases the uncertainty associated with this finding. Here, we examined the relative abundance of soil microbial keystone taxa and their functional potentials, as well as their influence on soil carbon storage with increased precipitation across alpine grasslands on the QTP, China. The findings indicate that alterations in precipitation significantly decreased the relative abundance of the carbon degradation potentials of keystone taxa, such as chemoheterotrophs. The inclusion of keystone taxa and their internal functional potentials in the two best alternative models explained 70% and 63% of the variance in soil organic carbon (SOC) density, respectively. Moreover, we found that changes in chemoheterotrophs had negative effects on SOC density as indicated by a structural equation model, suggesting that some specialized functional potentials of keystone taxa are not conducive to the accumulation of carbon sink. Our study offers valuable insights into the intricate correlation between precipitation-induced alterations in soil microbial keystone taxa and SOC storage, highlighting a rough categorization is difficult to distinguish the hidden threats and the importance of incorporating functional potentials in SOC storage prediction models in response to changing climate.

RORα is required for expansion and memory maintenance of ILC1s via a lymph node-liver axis

Type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) possess adaptive immune features, which confer antigen-specific memory responses against haptens and viruses. However, the transcriptional regulation of memory ILC1 responses is currently not known. We show that retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) has high expression in memory ILC1s in murine contact hypersensitivity (CHS) models. RORα deficiency diminishes ILC1-mediated CHS responses significantly but has no effect on memory T cell-mediated CHS responses. During sensitization, RORα promotes sensitized-ILC1 expansion by suppressing expression of cell-cycle repressors in draining lymph nodes. RORα programs gene-expression patterns related to cell survival and is required for the long-term maintenance of memory ILC1s in the liver. Our findings reveal RORα to be a key transcriptional factor for sensitized-ILC1 expansion and long-term maintenance of memory ILC1s.

Z-Retentive Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reactions of Aldimine Esters under Ru/Cu Dual Catalysis

Ru/Cu dual catalysis has been applied for Z-retentive asymmetric allylic substitution reactions of aldimine esters. This reaction provides an enantioselective synthesis of chiral Z-olefins in high yields (up to 91% yield) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) under mild conditions. The previously unreacted trisubstituted allylic electrophiles under Ir catalytic system are found to be compatible, affording the stereoretentive products in either Z- or E-form. Both linear and branched allylic electrophiles are suitable substrates with excellent reaction outcomes. Notably, Ru and Cu complexes are added in one-pot and simplifies the manipulation of this protocol and self-sorting phenomena could be observed in this Ru/Cu dual catalytic system.

The clinical outcome of pembrolizumab for patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a single center, real world study in China

Background

The KEYNOTE-048 and KEYNOTE-040 study have demonstrated the efficacy of pembrolizumab in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC), we conducted this real-world study to investigate the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with R/M HNSCC.

Methods

This is a single-center retrospective study conducted in the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Shanghai, China). Between December 2020 and December 2022, a total of 77 patients with R/M HNSCC were included into analysis. The primary endpoint of the study was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR)and toxicity.Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST version 1.1.SPSS 27.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 software were utilized to perform the statistical analysis.

Results

By the cut-off date (February 28, 2023), the median OS,PFS and ORR were 15.97 months,8.53 months and 48.9% in patients treated with the pembrolizumab regimen in the first line therapy. Among these patients, 17 patients received pembrolizumab with cetuximab,and 18 received pembrolizumab with chemotherapy.We observed no significant differences between two groups neither in median OS (13.9 vs 19.4 months, P=0.3582) nor PFS (unreached vs 8.233 months, P= 0.2807). In the ≥2nd line therapy (n=30), the median OS, PFS and ORR were 5.7 months, 2.58 months and 20% respectively. Combined positive score (CPS) was eligible from 54 patients. For first line therapy, the median OS and PFS were 14.6 and 8.53 months in patients with CPS ≥1, and median OS and PFS were 14.6 and 12.33 months in patients with CPS ≥20. The immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were occurred in the 31 patients (31/77, 40.26%), and the most common potential irAEs were hypothyroidism (25.97%), and pneumonitis (7.79%).

Conclusion

Our real-world results indicated that pembrolizumab regimen is a promising treatment in patients with R/M HNSCC.

Asymmetric Synthesis of the Functionalized A/E-Ring Fragment of C18-Diterpenoid Alkaloids

A new asymmetric synthesis of the A/E-ring fragment of C18-diterpenoid alkaloids is described. The crucial contiguous stereogenic centers at C4, C5, and C11 were established through an asymmetric Michael addition/allylation sequence. The unique azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane motif (A/E rings) was assembled by employing ring-closing metathesis and Mitsunobu reaction as key strategies.

Engineering extracellular electron transfer pathways of electroactive microorganisms by synthetic biology for energy and chemicals production

The excessive consumption of fossil fuels causes massive emission of CO2, leading to climate deterioration and environmental pollution. The development of substitutes and sustainable energy sources to replace fossil fuels has become a worldwide priority. Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs), employing redox reactions of electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) on electrodes to achieve a meritorious combination of biocatalysis and electrocatalysis, provide a green and sustainable alternative approach for bioremediation, CO2 fixation, and energy and chemicals production. EAMs, including exoelectrogens and electrotrophs, perform extracellular electron transfer (EET) (i.e., outward and inward EET), respectively, to exchange energy with the environment, whose rate determines the efficiency and performance of BESs. Therefore, we review the synthetic biology strategies developed in the last decade for engineering EAMs to enhance the EET rate in cell-electrode interfaces for facilitating the production of electricity energy and value-added chemicals, which include (1) progress in genetic manipulation and editing tools to achieve the efficient regulation of gene expression, knockout, and knockdown of EAMs; (2) synthetic biological engineering strategies to enhance the outward EET of exoelectrogens to anodes for electricity power production and anodic electro-fermentation (AEF) for chemicals production, including (i) broadening and strengthening substrate utilization, (ii) increasing the intracellular releasable reducing equivalents, (iii) optimizing c-type cytochrome (c-Cyts) expression and maturation, (iv) enhancing conductive nanowire biosynthesis and modification, (v) promoting electron shuttle biosynthesis, secretion, and immobilization, (vi) engineering global regulators to promote EET rate, (vii) facilitating biofilm formation, and (viii) constructing cell-material hybrids; (3) the mechanisms of inward EET, CO2 fixation pathway, and engineering strategies for improving the inward EET of electrotrophic cells for CO2 reduction and chemical production, including (i) programming metabolic pathways of electrotrophs, (ii) rewiring bioelectrical circuits for enhancing inward EET, and (iii) constructing microbial (photo)electrosynthesis by cell-material hybridization; (4) perspectives on future challenges and opportunities for engineering EET to develop highly efficient BESs for sustainable energy and chemical production. We expect that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the future development of BESs in energy harvesting, CO2 fixation, and chemical synthesis.

Clinicopathologic and trichoscopic features of keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans: A case series study

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD) is a rare X-linked hereditary disorder characterized by the triad of follicular hyperkeratosis-photophobia-alopecia. The clinical heterogeneity makes the diagnosis difficult. To investigate the clinicopathologic and trichoscopic features of KFSD and to further clarify the essential requisites for the diagnosis, we conducted a retrospective study of patients with KFSD. The clinical information, histologic features, and trichoscopic findings were evaluated. Eight patients were from seven separate families. Two females were mother and daughter from the same family and the other six patients were male and represented sporadic cases. The average age of onset of alopecia was 21.25 years. Involvement of the scalp hairs leading to progressive scarring alopecia on the midline of the scalp with variable degrees of inflammation was the pathognomonic feature. It typically began after puberty. Vellus hair-associated follicular hyperkeratosis affected all of the patients. However, photophobia was not a constant feature. Histopathologic examination revealed disorders of the hair follicle with an acute-chronic inflammatory response. Follicular changes including fused infundibulum, the protrusion of the outer root sheath into the follicular canal, and a dilatation of the follicles at the isthmus level caused by the occlusion of keratin were observed. The trichoscopic features included perifollicular scaling, tufted hairs, and loss of follicular openings. In conclusion, terminal hair involvement, either scalp hairs, eyebrows, or eyelashes, and the hyperkeratosis of the follicle of vellus hairs is the diagnostic basis of KFSD. We hypothesize that follicular changes in histopathology are the primary event that trigger variable inflammation and further follicular destruction.

Death-associated protein 3 in cancer-discrepant roles of DAP3 in tumours and molecular mechanisms

Cancer, ranks as the secondary cause of death, is a group of diseases that are characterized by uncontrolled tumor growth and distant metastasis, leading to increased mortality year-on-year. To date, targeted therapy to intercept the aberrant proliferation and invasion is crucial for clinical anticancer treatment, however, mutant expression of target genes often leads to drug resistance. Therefore, it is essential to identify more molecules that can be targeted to facilitate combined therapy. Previous studies showed that death associated protein 3 (DAP3) exerts a pivotal role in regulating apoptosis signaling of tumors, meanwhile, aberrant DAP3 expression is associated with the tumorigenesis and disease progression of various cancers. This review provides an overview of the molecule structure of DAP3 and the discrepant roles played by DAP3 in various types of tumors. Considering the molecular mechanism of DAP3-regulated cancer development, new potential treatment strategies might be developed in the future.

Adaptive-optics-based turbulence mitigation in a 400 Gbit/s free-space optical link by multiplexing Laguerre-Gaussian modes varying both radial and azimuthal spatial indices: publisher's note

This publisher's note contains a correction to Opt. Lett.48, 6452 (2023)10.1364/OL.506270.

High-efficiency Electroreduction of O2 into H2 O2 over ZnCo Bimetallic Triazole Frameworks Promoted by Ligand Activation

Co-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrocatalysts for two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e- ORR) are highly promising for H2 O2 production, but suffer from the intrinsic activity-selectivity trade-off. Herein, we report a ZnCo bimetal-triazole framework (ZnCo-MTF) as high-efficiency 2e- ORR electrocatalysts. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the coordination between 1,2,3-triazole and Co increases the antibonding-orbital occupancy on the Co-N bond, promoting the activation of Co center. Besides, the adjacent Zn-Co sites on 1,2,3-triazole enable an asymmetric "side-on" adsorption mode of O2 , favoring the reduction of O2 molecules and desorption of OOH* intermediate. By virtue of the unique ligand effect, the ZnCo-MTF exhibits a 2e- ORR selectivity of ≈100 %, onset potential of 0.614 V and H2 O2 production rate of 5.55 mol gcat -1  h-1 , superior to the state-of-the-art zeolite imidazole frameworks. Our work paves the way for the design of 2e- ORR electrocatalysts with desirable coordination and electronic structure.

Fracton Self-Statistics

Fracton order describes novel quantum phases of matter that host quasiparticles with restricted mobility and, thus, lies beyond the existing paradigm of topological order. In particular, excitations that cannot move without creating multiple excitations are called fractons. Here, we address a fundamental open question-can the notion of self-exchange statistics be naturally defined for fractons, given their complete immobility as isolated excitations? Surprisingly, we demonstrate how fractons can be exchanged and show that their self-statistics is a key part of the characterization of fracton orders. We derive general constraints satisfied by the fracton self-statistics in a large class of Abelian fracton orders. Finally, we show the existence of nontrivial fracton self-statistics in some twisted variants of the checkerboard model and Haah's code, establishing that these models are in distinct quantum phases as compared to their untwisted cousins.

Reduced radiation dose and volume of contrast medium in heart rate-based, one-stop computed tomography angiography of coronary, carotid and cerebrovascular arteries

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a reliable, non-invasive screening method for diagnosing panvascular disease. By using low contrast agent volume, CTA imaging enables one-stop multi-organ scanning, thereby minimizing the potential risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with impaired renal function.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of one-stop CTA following a heart rate (HR)-based protocol using a low volume of contrast medium (CM) for examination of the coronary, carotid and cerebrovascular arteries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing coronary carotid, and cerebrovascular CTA after a single injection of CM were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 30) underwent CTA following a traditional protocol. The timing of the scans in Group B (n = 30) was determined according to the patient's HR.

RESULTS

The CT values for the thoracic aorta (432.2 ± 104.28 HU), anterior cerebral artery (303.96 ± 99.29 HU), and right coronary artery (366.70 ± 85.10 HU) in Group A did not differ significantly from those in Group B (445.80 ± 106.13, 293.73 ± 75.25 and 344.13 ± 111.04 HU, respectively). The qualities of most of the scanned images for both groups were scored as 3 or 4 (on a five-point scale). The radiation dose and the volume of CM were significantly higher in Group A (303.05 ± 110.95 mGy) (100 mL) than in Group B (239.46 ± 101.12 mGy) (50 mL).

CONCLUSION

The radiation dose and volume of CM were significantly reduced in CTA following the HR-based protocol. The personalized administration of CM also simplified the scanning process.

Initiation of China Alliance of Research in High Myopia (CHARM): protocol for an AI-based multimodal high myopia research biobank

INTRODUCTION

High myopia is a pressing public health concern due to its increasing prevalence, younger trend and the high risk of blindness, particularly in East Asian countries, including China. The China Alliance of Research in High Myopia (CHARM) is a newly established consortium that includes more than 100 hospitals and institutions participating across the nation, aiming to promote collaboration and data sharing in the field of high myopia screening, classification, diagnosis and therapeutic development.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The CHARM project is an ongoing study, and its initiation is distinguished by its unprecedented scale, encompassing plans to involve over 100 000 Chinese patients. This initiative stands out not only for its extensive scope but also for its innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in diagnosis and treatment decisions. The CHARM project has been carried out using a 'three-step' strategy. The first step involves the collection of basic information, refraction, axial length and fundus photographs from participants with high myopia. In the second step, we will collect multimodal imaging data to expand the scope of clinical information, for example, optical coherence tomography and ultra-widefield fundus images. In the final step, genetic testing will be conducted by incorporating patient family histories and blood samples. The majority of data collected by CHARM is in the form of images that will be used to detect and predict the progression of high myopia through the identification and quantification of biomarkers such as fundus tessellation, optic nerve head and vascular parameters.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital (TREC2022-KY045). The establishment of CHARM represents an opportunity to create a collaborative platform for myopia experts and facilitate the dissemination of research findings to the global community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. These insights can inform clinical decision-making and contribute to the development of new treatment modalities that may benefit patients worldwide.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2300071219.

In situ synthesis of layered nickel organophosphonates for efficient aqueous nickel-zinc battery cathodes

Aqueous nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries have received increasing research interests because of their reliable safety and economical-friendliness. However, the retarded ionic diffusion, low capacity and limited stability of traditional Ni-based cathodes greatly impedes the practical application of Ni-Zn batteries. Herein, two metal organophosphonate materials of Ni methylphosphonate (Ni-MPA) and Ni phenylphosphonate (Ni-PPA) directly grown on Ni foam are constructed successfully through one step solvothermal technique. These two self-supported Ni organophosphonates featured hybrid two-dimensional (2D) structures consisting of alternating inorganic and organic layers, where the inorganic layers are formed by six-coordinated Ni2+ bridged by oxygen atoms and capped by organophosphonate groups, availing to provide rich open redox reaction sites, rapid ion diffusion and structural flexibility. The research results reveal that the organic groups in phosphonic acid ligands have important influence on their electrochemical properties. Consequently, the Ni-MPA electrode exhibits a higher specific capacity of 2.27 mAh/cm2 compared to that of the Ni-PPA electrode (1.1 mAh/cm2) at 3.0 mA/cm2; however, it demonstrates a more rapid transformation rate into Ni(OH)2 in an alkaline solution. Furthermore, the constructed Ni-MPA//Zn battery can deliver an impressive areal energy density of 2.95 mWh/cm2, good rate performance as well as a long-term cycling stability.

Engineering extracellular polymer substrates biosynthesis and carbon felt-carbon nanotube hybrid electrode to promote biofilm electroactivity and bioelectricity production

Organic-rich thin stillage is a significant by-product of the liquor brewing industry, and its direct release into the environment can cause severe water pollution. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer the possibility for converting organic matters in thin stillage into clean electricity. However, limited biofilm formation and conductivity are crucial bottlenecks in restricting the power harvest of MFCs. Here, to efficiently harvest electricity power from thin stillage of liquor industry, we adopted a modular engineering strategy to increase biofilm formation and conductivity of Shewanella oneidensis via enhancing the component biosynthesis of extracellular polymer substrates (EPS) matrix, regulating intracellular c-di-GMP level, and constructing of artificial hybrid system. The results showed that the constructed CNTs@CF-EnBF2 hybrid system with low charge-transfer resistance enabled a maximum output power density of 576.77 mW/m2 in lactate-fed MFCs. Also, to evaluate the capability of harvesting electricity from actual wastewater, the CNTs@CF-EnBF2 system was employed to treat actual thin stillage, obtaining a maximum output power density of 495.86 mW/m2, 3.3-fold higher than the wild-type strain. Our research suggested that engineering and regulating EPS biosynthesis effectively promoted bioelectricity harvest, providing a green and sustainable treatment strategy for thin stillage.

Effect of dynamic platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving chemoradiotherapy

Systemic inflammatory load affects the long-term developmental outcomes in patients with malignancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the dynamic levels of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at different treatment stages on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy. This study included 168 patients who received chemoradiotherapy between 2012 and 2018. PLR levels at different treatment stages were calculated based on blood test results. The association between PLR and overall survival (OS) was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional regression models. The cutoff values of PLR before and after treatment of 168 patients with ESCC were 195.7 and 403.6, respectively. The 5-year OS rates of patients in the low and high pre-PLR groups were 42.1% and 21.7%, respectively. The overall 5-year OS rate of all patients was 27.1%. Multivariate analysis results showed that patient age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.736; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.129-2.669; P = .012), alcohol consumption (HR = 1.622; 95%CI = 1.050-2.508; P = .029), T stage (HR = 12.483; 95%CI = 3.719-41.896; P < .001), pre-PLR (HR = 1.716; 95%CI = 1.069-2.756; P = .025), post-PLR (HR = 1.664; 95%CI = 1.106-2.503; P = .015) were independent factors of the prognosis of patients with ESCC. PLR at different treatment stages can be used to effectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with ESCC undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Accuracy of digital implant impressions obtained using intraoral scanners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo studies

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to investigate the accuracy of intraoral scan (IOS) impressions of implant-supported restorations in in vivo studies.

METHODS

A systematic electronic search and review of studies on the accuracy of IOS implant impressions were conducted to analyze the peer-reviewed literature published between 1989 and August 2023. The bias analysis was performed by two reviewers. Data on the study characteristics, accuracy outcomes, and related variables were extracted. A meta-analysis of randomized control trials was performed to investigate the impact of IOS on peri-implant crestal bone loss and the time involved in the impression procedure.

RESULTS

Ten in vivo studies were included in this systematic review for final analysis. Six studies investigated the trueness of IOS impressions, but did not reach the same conclusions. One study assessed the precision of IOS impressions for a single implant. Four clinical studies examined the accuracy of IOS implant impressions with a follow-up of 1-2 years. In full arches, IOS impression procedure needed significantly less time than conventional one (mean difference for procedure time was 8.59 min [6.78, 10.40 min], P < 0.001), prosthetic survival rate was 100%, and marginal bone levels of all participants could be stably maintained (mean difference in marginal bone loss at 12 months was 0.03 mm [-0.08, 0.14 mm], P = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of IOS impressions of implant-supported restorations varied greatly depending on the scanning strategy. The trueness and precision of IOS in the partial and complete arches remain unclear and require further assessment. Based on follow-up clinical studies, IOS impressions were accurate in clinical practice. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, as some evidences are obtained from the same research group.

Phase diagrams and superconductivity of ternary Ca-Al-H compounds under high pressure

The search for high-temperature superconductors in hydrides under high pressure has always been a research hotspot. Hydrogen-based superconductors offer an avenue to achieve the long-sought goal of superconductivity at room temperature. Here we systematically explored the high-pressure phase diagram, electronic properties, lattice dynamics and superconductivity of the ternary Ca-Al-H system using ab initio methods. At 80 GPa, CaAlH5 transforms from Cmcm to P21/m phase. Both of Cmcm-CaAlH5 and Pnnm-CaAl2H8 are semiconductors. At 200 GPa, P4/mmm-CaAlH7 and a metastable compound Immm-Ca2AlH12 were found. Furthermore, P4/mmm-CaAlH7 shows obvious softening of the high frequency vibration modes, which improves the strength of electron-phonon coupling. Therefore, a superconducting transition temperature Tc of 71 K is generated in P4/mmm-CaAlH7 at 50 GPa. In addition, the thermodynamic metastable Immm-Ca2AlH12 exhibits a superconducting transition temperature of 118 K at 250 GPa. These results are very useful for the experimental searching of new high-Tc superconductors in ternary hydrides. Our work may provide an opportunity to search for high Tc superconductors at lower pressure.

Constitutive basis of root system architecture: uncovering a promising trait for breeding nutrient- and drought-resilient crops

Root system architecture (RSA) plays a pivotal role in efficient uptake of essential nutrients, such as phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N), and water. In soils with heterogeneous nutrient distribution, root plasticity can optimize acquisition and plant growth. Here, we present evidence that a constitutive RSA can confer benefits for sorghum grown under both sufficient and limiting growth conditions. Our studies, using P efficient SC103 and inefficient BTx635 sorghum cultivars, identified significant differences in root traits, with SC103 developing a larger root system with more and longer lateral roots, and enhanced shoot biomass, under both nutrient sufficient and deficient conditions. In addition to this constitutive attribute, under P deficiency, both cultivars exhibited an initial increase in lateral root development; however, SC103 still maintained the larger root biomass. Although N deficiency and drought stress inhibited both root and shoot growth, for both sorghum cultivars, SC103 again maintained the better performance. These findings reveal that SC103, a P efficient sorghum cultivar, also exhibited enhanced growth performance under N deficiency and drought. Our results provide evidence that this constitutive nature of RSA can provide an avenue for breeding nutrient- and drought-resilient crops.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42994-023-00112-w.

Piezo-photocatalysis for efficient charge separation to promote CO2 photoreduction in nanoclusters

The substantial emissions of CO2 greenhouse gases have resulted in severe environmental problems, and research on the implementation of semiconductor materials to minimize CO2 is currently a highly discussed subject. Effective separation of interface charges is a major challenge for efficient piezo-photocatalytic systems. Meanwhile, the ultrasmall-sized metal nanoclusters can shorten the distance of electron transport. Herein, we synthesized Au25(p-MBA)18 nanoclusters (Au25 NCs) modified red graphitic carbon nitride (RCN) nanocatalysts with highly exposed Au active sites by in-situ seed growth method. The loading of Au25 NCs on the RCN surface provides more active sites and creates a long-range ordered electric field. It allows for the direct utilization of the piezoelectric field to separate photogenerated carriers during photo-piezoelectric excitation. Based on the above advantages, the rate of CO2 reduction to CO over Au25 NCs/RCN (111.95 μmol g-1 h-1) was more than triple compared to that of pristine RCN. This paper has positive implication for further application of metal clusters loaded semiconductor for piezo-photocatalytic CO2 reduction.