A higher level of total bile acid in early mid-pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study in Wuhan, China

PURPOSE

To assess the longitudinal associations between maternal total bile acid (TBA) levels during early mid-pregnancy and the subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, pregnant women who were enrolled prior to gestational week 16 were followed until delivery. TBA levels were tested during weeks 14-18 of gestation. Using logistic regression, we analyzed the associations between quartiles of TBA and GDM based on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 gestational weeks.

RESULTS

The GDM rate was 7.9% (114/1441). The mean TBA level was higher in women with GDM than in those without GDM (2.1 ± 2.0 vs 1.5 ± 1.0 µmol/L, P = 0.000). The highest TBA level quartile (2.1-10.7 µmol/L) had a 1.78-fold (95% CI 1.01, 3.14) increased risk of GDM compared with that of the lowest quartile (0.0-0.8 µmol/L) after adjusting for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational, age at TBA test and other confounders. High TBA levels were involved in the fasting glucose level rather than that at 1 h and 2 h after OGTT in all participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with higher serum TBA levels during early mid-pregnancy have a higher risk of developing GDM. TBA may be a new risk factor for GDM.

Subnanosecond phase transition dynamics in laser-shocked iron

Iron is one of the most studied chemical elements due to its sociotechnological and planetary importance; hence, understanding its structural transition dynamics is of vital interest. By combining a short pulse optical laser and an ultrashort free electron laser pulse, we have observed the subnanosecond structural dynamics of iron from high-quality x-ray diffraction data measured at 50-ps intervals up to 2500 ps. We unequivocally identify a three-wave structure during the initial compression and a two-wave structure during the decaying shock, involving all of the known structural types of iron (α-, γ-, and ε-phase). In the final stage, negative lattice pressures are generated by the propagation of rarefaction waves, leading to the formation of expanded phases and the recovery of γ-phase. Our observations demonstrate the unique capability of measuring the atomistic evolution during the entire lattice compression and release processes at unprecedented time and strain rate.

Electro-Photoluminescence Color Change for Deformable Visual Encryption

Although structural coloring and photoluminescence (PL) have been investigated for radiation-responsive color change, electroluminescence (EL) has not been used for the radiation-responsive system. An electro-photoluminescence (EPL) color change is presented here. The phosphors in the alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) act simultaneously as electro-luminophores and photo-luminophores. The EPL chromaticity is systematically investigated depending on the ACEL frequency and UV intensity. It is found that the PL variation depending on UV intensity is the mechanism of the EPL color change. It is revealed that EL and PL can be controlled independently in the low electric field so that the EPL chromaticity can be adjusted by a linear combination of the EL color and the PL color. The EPL color-changing device is used as a deformable visual encryption system and a soft skin for a soft robotic rover, imitating the concealment and signaling functions in nature.

A New Framework for Performing Cardiac Strain Analysis from Cine MRI Imaging in Mice

Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is one of the most rigorous form of imaging to assess cardiac function in vivo. Strain analysis allows comprehensive assessment of diastolic myocardial function, which is not indicated by measuring systolic functional parameters using with a normal cine imaging module. Due to the small heart size in mice, it is not possible to perform proper tagged imaging to assess strain. Here, we developed a novel deep learning approach for automated quantification of strain from cardiac cine MR images. Our framework starts by an accurate localization of the LV blood pool center-point using a fully convolutional neural network (FCN) architecture. Then, a region of interest (ROI) that contains the LV is extracted from all heart sections. The extracted ROIs are used for the segmentation of the LV cavity and myocardium via a novel FCN architecture. For strain analysis, we developed a Laplace-based approach to track the LV wall points by solving the Laplace equation between the LV contours of each two successive image frames over the cardiac cycle. Following tracking, the strain estimation is performed using the Lagrangian-based approach. This new automated system for strain analysis was validated by comparing the outcome of these analysis with the tagged MR images from the same mice. There were no significant differences between the strain data obtained from our algorithm using cine compared to tagged MR imaging. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our new algorithm can determine the strain differences between normal and diseased hearts.

Diazoxide induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults

OBJECTIVE

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) -resident caspase-12 was identified as a mediator of Aβ neurotoxicity. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers mediate their neuroprotective role by adjusting ER stress pathways, but the molecular details remain largely unknown and have been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the protein expression levels of calreticulin (CRT) and caspase-12 activation and phosphorylated p38 MAPK were observed by immunoblotting in cultured PC12 cells from different groups: treatment with Aβ25-35 (group Aβ25-35), treatment with diazoxide (group diazoxide), pretreatment with diazoxide and then exposure to Aβ25-35 (group diazoxide + Aβ25-35), pretreatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 and then exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35 (group SB 203580 + diazoxide + Aβ25-35), and the control (group control).

RESULTS

In response to the treatment with Aβ25-35 (10 µM) for 24 h, the protein expression levels of CRT and caspase-12 activation were increased and phosphorylated p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. Diazoxide reduced CRT overexpression and caspase-12 activation and increased the up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 MAPK. When SB 203580 was presented before exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35, CRT expression was markedly suppressed, and the inhibition effect of diazoxide on caspase-12 activation was almost eliminated.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that diazoxide induced ERS-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults. From the clinical point of view, these results are of considerable importance for the understanding of AD pathogenesis. However, further studies are required to explore more detailed mechanisms of the observed effects.

Linc-ROR promotes endometrial cell proliferation by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway

OBJECTIVE

To observe the expressions of Linc-ROR and proteins in the PI3K-Akt pathway in an ectopic lesion of adenomyosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of Linc-ROR in the ectopic endometrium, eutopic endometrium, and normal endometrium of adenomyosis was detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of PI3K-Akt in endometriosis and lesion endometriosis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized to detect cell proliferative activity. After interfering or overexpressing Linc-ROR, protein expressions of the PI3K-Akt pathway were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Linc-ROR expression in the ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis was higher than that in the eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium, and the expression level of PTEN in adenomyosis tissues was decreased, whilst expression levels of Akt, p-Akt, p-PTEN were increased. Clinical data of enrolled patients indicated that there was a relationship between Linc-ROR expression and the type and severity of dysmenorrhea of adenomyosis. However, no relationship was observed between Linc-ROR expression and age, cesarean section, uterine surgery, and menstrual cycle. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay showed that the proliferative activity of cells was significantly decreased after knockdown of Linc-ROR in the adenomyosis cells. Western blot revealed that the expression level of PTEN increased but the expression levels of p-Akt, p-PTEN and p-PDK1 decreased. Overexpression of Linc-ROR obtained the opposite results.

CONCLUSIONS

Linc-ROR is highly expressed in the ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis, and it can promote the proliferative activity of endometrial cells by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway.

Liquid Metal Covered with Thermoplastic Conductive Composites for High Electrical Stability and Negligible Electromechanical Coupling at Large Strains

Stretchable electrode is an essential part of soft electronic devices. Practical stretchable electrodes must meet the following requirements: metallic conductivity and no resistance change in various situations such as repeated large deformation, toxic environment, and large temperature change. This study suggests a simple electrode design that meets all of these requirements simultaneously. The electrode consists of a liquid metal (LM) mesh pattern that is sandwiched between a thermoplastic block copolymer (BCP) film and a BCP/Ag flake composite film with a microfibril network structure on its surface. The electrode has a high conductivity (1.2 × 10⁴ S/cm) and is stretchable up to 600% uniaxial strain (ε). Its resistance remains unchanged during repeated stretching cycles at ε = 300% (ΔR < 0.04 Ω) as well as under simultaneous situation of large deformation (ε = 400%) and large temperature change (20-70 °C). The electrode is anticorrosive in an acidic solution owing to the hydrophobic BCP layer that protects the LM from being etched. This study shows the connection of two separate electrodes and complete healing of scratched electrodes by finger pressing. In addition, it demonstrates the fabrication of superstretchable electroluminescence display as an example of potential uses of the electrode.

Fabrication of Foldable Metal Interconnections by Hybridizing with Amorphous Carbon Ultrathin Anisotropic Conductive Film

With the advent of foldable electronics, it is necessary to develop a technology ensuring foldability when the circuit lines are placed on the topmost substrate rather than in the neutral plane used in the present industry. Considering the potential technological impacts, conversion of the conventional printed circuit boards to foldable ones is most desirable to achieve the topmost circuitry. This study realizes this unconventional conversion concept by coating an ultrathin anisotropic conductive film (UACF) on a printed metal circuit board. This study presents rapid large-area synthesis of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) thin films and their use as the UACF. Since the synthesized a-C:H thin film has electrical transparency, the metal/a-C:H hybrid board reflects the complexity of the underlying metal circuit board. The a-C:H thin film electrically connects the cracked area of the metal line; thus, the hybrid circuit board is foldable without resistance change during repeated folding cycles. The metal/UACF hybrid circuit board can be applied to the fabrication of various foldable electronic devices.

Abstract P5-12-07: Expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein promotes obesity-associated mammary tumor growth

Background: The underlying mechanisms that drive obesity-related breast cancer remain unclear. Adipocyte/macrophage fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is linked to obesity and breast cancer, while transforming growth factor (TGF)β appears to play a pleiotropic role in breast cancer, suppressing its development but promoting its progression. Whether the proteins work together to drive breast cancer progression is not known. We evaluated the expression of these two markers in matched serum from healthy women and women with breast cancer.

Hypothesis: A-FABP and TGFβ drive breast cancer development and progression.

Methods: Serum was collected under an institutional review board approved protocol. A-FABP was measured in serum collected from 275 women (92 with breast cancer and 183 without) and TGFβ from 245 matched women (92 with breast cancer and 153 without). A-FABP levels were measured using a human A-FABP4 ELISA kit while TGFβ was measured using human TGFβ ELISA kit. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine if a difference in marker expression existed between women with and without breast cancer, as well as in women with early vs. more advanced breast cancer. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine the relationship between A-FABP and BMI, as well as between TGFβ and BMI, controlling for age, menopause status and a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Results:A-FABP expression was higher in obese than lean postmenopausal women, both those with breast cancer (mean : 44.9 vs. 25.1 ng/mL, p=0.002) and without breast cancer (39.4 vs. 26.9 ng/mL, p=0.003). A-FABP expression was also higher in premenopausal obese vs. lean women with cancer (28.9 vs. 12.7 ng/mL, p=0.027), but not in premenopausal healthy women. A-FABP expression was higher in postmenopausal obese vs. lean women with early stage (0-2A) breast cancer (45.6 vs. 21.9 ng/mL, p=0.013) and was inversely associated with HER-2 expression, though being of borderline significance (p=0.060). This was most notable among triple negative vs. ER/PR negative HER2 positive breast cancers. Considering both early and advanced breast cancer, TGFβ expression trended higher in post- than in pre-menopausal obese women with breast cancer (138.9 vs. 68.7 pg/mL, p=0.061), however among premenopausal women with advanced (Stages 2B-3C) disease, TGFβ expression was 5 fold higher in lean than obese individuals (251.7 vs. 48.2 pg/mL, p=0.029) but trended higher in obese vs lean postmenopausal women. TGFβ and A-FABP were found to be significantly associated (ρ=0.14, p=0.024).

Impact: Both A-FABP and TGFβ expression are associated with postmenopausal breast cancer among obese women, and their expression in matched samples is significantly associated.. TGFβ is associated with premenopausal advanced breast cancer in premenopausal women. TGFβ is known to induce epithelial mesenchymal transition and may play a role in pregnancy associated breast cancer. Further studies are needed to determine if A-FABP and TGFβ work together in postmenopausal breast cancer.

Citation Format: Sauter E, Hao J, Yan X, Kong M, Li B. Expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein promotes obesity-associated mammary tumor growth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-12-07.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in atypical valve anatomy using the Lotus valve : A Chinese single-center experience

BACKGROUND

In the West, the safety and efficacy of the Lotus valve have been demonstrated; however, data in the Chinese population are still lacking. Few studies have compared the clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Lotus valve in patients with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve stenosis. Our aim was to assess TAVR outcomes with the Lotus aortic valve in a Chinese patient cohort.

METHODS

In total, 23 symptomatic, high-surgical risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis were enrolled. Among them, nine patients (39%) had bicuspid aortic valves, and three patients had a large annulus dimension. The Lotus valve was successfully implanted in all patients. To facilitate accurate positioning, partial re-sheathing was attempted in ten patients (43.5%), while one patient had a full retrieval. One-year clinical follow-up was completed in all patients.

RESULTS

There were no deaths, strokes, or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in 22 of the 23 patients at 30 days; the all-cause mortality rate at 1 year was 4.4% (1 of 23 patients). The mean aortic valve gradient decreased from 51.5 ± 8.8 mm Hg at baseline to 13.4 ± 4.9 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and the valve area increased from 0.6 ± 0.2 cm² to 1.5 ± 0.4 cm² (p < 0.001) at 30 days. Paravalvular leakage was absent or mild (22%), and no patient had severe paravalvular leakage. Six patients (26.1%) required a postprocedural pacemaker. There was no difference regarding the procedural and the 1‑year outcomes between patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve stenosis.

CONCLUSION

Our single-center experience demonstrated that the Lotus valve is feasible and effective for Chinese patients with aortic valve stenosis, including atypical cases with bicuspid aortic valves or large aortic annulus size.

The combination of apolipoprotein E4, age and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale improves the prediction of amyloid positron emission tomography status in clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Randomized clinical trials involving anti-amyloid interventions focus on the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with proven amyloid pathology, using amyloid positron emission tomography (amyloid-PET) imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis. However, these investigations are either expensive or invasive and are not readily available in resource-limited centres. Hence, the identification of cost-effective clinical alternatives to amyloid-PET is highly desirable. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of combined clinical markers in predicting amyloid-PET status in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals.

METHODS

In all, 406 MCI participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were dichotomized into amyloid-PET(+) and amyloid-PET(-) using a cut-off of >1.11. The accuracies of single clinical markers [apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) genotype, demographics, cognitive measures and cerebrospinal fluid analysis] in predicting amyloid-PET status were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A logistic regression model was then used to determine the optimal model with combined clinical markers to predict amyloid-PET status.

RESULTS

Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β (Aβ) showed the best predictive accuracy of amyloid-PET status [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.927]. Whilst ApoE4 genotype (AUC = 0.737) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) 13 (AUC = 0.724) independently discriminated amyloid-PET(+) and amyloid-PET(-) MCI individuals, the combination of clinical markers (ApoE4 carrier, age >60 years and ADAS-Cog 13 > 13.5) improved the predictive accuracy of amyloid-PET status (AUC = 0.827, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebrospinal fluid Aβ, which is an invasive procedure, is most accurate in predicting amyloid-PET status in MCI individuals. The combination of ApoE4, age and ADAS-Cog 13 also accurately predicts amyloid-PET status. As this combination of clinical markers is cheap, non-invasive and readily available, it offers an attractive surrogate assessment for amyloid status amongst MCI individuals in resource-limited settings.

Block Copolymer Elastomers for Stretchable Electronics

As industrial needs for healthcare sensors, electronic skin, and flexible/stretchable displays increase, interest in stretchable materials is increasing as well. In recent years, the studies on stretchable materials have spread to various pivot components, such as electrodes, circuits, substrates, semiconductors, dielectric layers, membranes, and active nanocomposite films. The block copolymer (BC) elastomers have been playing considerable role in the development of stretchable materials. Since BCs are soft elastomers based on physical cross-links, they show differences in physical properties from normal elastomers formed with chemical cross-linking. BC elastomers does not require additional chemical cross-linking procedure, so they can be easily processed after dissolved in various solvents. Their viscoelasticity and thermoplasticity enable the BCs to become moldable and sticky. Although their unique physical properties may serve as disadvantages in some cases, they have been actively applied to create various stretchable electronic materials and their uses are expected to be enlarged more than ever. In this Account, we summarize recent successful applications of BCs for the stretchable electronic devices and discuss the possibility of further uses and the challenges to be addressed for practical uses. Studies on BC-based stretchable materials have focused initially on the fabrication process of stretchable conductors; mixing conductive fillers physically with BCs, infiltrating BCs in a conductive filler layer, and converting metal precursors into metal nanoparticles inside BCs. When conductive fillers with high aspect ratios, such as nanowires or nanosheets are used, the fillers can be infiltrated by the BCs after deposited. Since the contacts between the fillers are maintained during the infiltration process, even thin composite films possess high conductivity and stretchability. The metal precursor solution printing is suggested as a promising approach because it is compatible with traditional printing techniques without clogging the nozzles and allows high filler loading efficiency. When using a BC as a substrate, it is advisable to use a BC/PDMS double layer because of viscoelastic and thermoplastic properties of BCs. If BC/PDMS double layer is used with much thicker PDMS layer instead of viscoelastic BC alone, the double layer substrate can show a perfect elastomeric behavior, and the advantages of the BC substrate are preserved. Additionally, the use of conventional manufacturing techniques is important for commercialization of the stretchable devices. BC substrates having preformed microfibril network on their surfaces facilitate the fabrication of high-resolution circuitry by directly depositing metals through a mask on the substrate. Recent successes of fabricating stretchable organic transistors were obtained based on in situ phase separation of polymer semiconductors to form nanofibril bundles on the surface of a BC substrate. They have led to the achievement of high resolution transistor array printed in large area. BCs are expected to expand their applicability, including stretchable batteries, since they make it feasible to fabricate various hybrid nanocomposites, pore size-controlled membranes, and microstructured surfaces. However, it is necessary to secure long-term stability under heat, solvent, and UV; in addition, there is a need for the synthesis of functional BCs for use in stretchable implanted biomedical devices.

S-nitrosylation of Src by NR2B-nNOS signal causes Src activation and NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation in levodopa-induced dyskinetic rat model

Abnormality in Src PSD-95 NR2B signaling complex assemble occurs in levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation mediated by Src family protein tyrosine kinases is closely associated with dyskinesia. Src autophosphorylation (p-Src) is an important part of Src-catalyzed phosphorylation of NR2B. In addition, the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-derived NO (nNOS/NO) signal which was also involved in dyskinesia recently was proved to participate in the regulation of Src function. Yet, the detailed signal mechanism about the interactions of NR2B, nNOS, and Src is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the influences of nNOS on Src activation and NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation in dyskinetic rat model by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. The results demonstrated that chronic levodopa treatment resulted in downregulation of p-nNOS-S847, one marker of nNOS overactivation. Coinstantaneously, the S-nitrosylation (SNO-Src) and autophosphorylation (p-Src) of Src and NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation were upregulated in dyskinetic rat model. Conversely, administration of 7-NI, one nNOS inhibitor, reversed all these effects of levodopa treatment. Besides, NR2B-containing NMDAR (NR2B/NMDAR) antagonist CP-101,606 could upregulate p-nNOS-S847 and thus attenuate nNOS activation and simultaneously reduce the SNO-Src, p-Src, and NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, the S-nitrosylation of Src is caused by nNOS/NO signal, which is overactivated via Ca²⁺ influx dependent on NR2B/NMDAR, and subsequently facilitates Src auto-tyrosine phosphorylation and further phosphorylates NR2B. The "NR2B/NMDAR-nNOS/NO-SNO-Src-p-Src-NR2B/NMDAR" signaling cycle may be the molecular basis of NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation upward positive feedback, which demonstrates the possibility as one latent target for dyskinesia therapy.

Change of Femoral Anteversion Angle in Children With Intoeing Gait Measured by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction: One-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective

To evaluate femoral anteversion angle (FAA) change in children with intoeing gait depending on age, gender, and initial FAA using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT).

Methods

The 3D-CT data acquired between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Children 4 to 10 years of age with symptomatic intoeing gait with follow-up interval of at least 1 year without active treatment were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups based on age: group 1 (≥4 and <6 years), group 2 (≥6 and <8 years), and group 3 (≥8 and <10 years). Initial and follow-up FAAs were measured using 3D-CT. Mean changes in FAAs were calculated and compared.

Results

A total of 200 lower limbs of 100 children (48 males and 52 females, mean age of 6.1±1.6 years) were included. The mean follow-up period was 18.0±5.4 months. Average initial and follow-up FAA in children with intoeing gait was 31.1°±7.8° and 28.9°±8.2°, respectively. The initial FAA of group 1 was largest (33.5°±7.7°). Follow-up FAA of group 1 was significantly reduced to 28.7°±9.2° (p=0.000). FAA changes in groups 1, 2, and 3 were −6.5°±5.8°, −6.4°±5.1°, and −5.3°±4.0°, respectively. These changes of FAA were not significantly (p=0.355) different among the three age groups. However, FAA changes were higher (p=0.012) in females than those in males. In addition, FAA changes showed difference depending on initial FAA. When initial FAA was smaller than 30°, mean FAA change was −5.6°±4.9°. When initial FAA was more than 30°, mean FAA change was −6.8°±5.4° (p=0.019).

Conclusion

FAA initial in children with intoeing gait was the greatest in age group 1 (4–6 years). This group also showed significant FAA decrease at follow-up. FAA changes were greater when the child was a female, younger, and had greater initial FAA.

Fully Elastic Conductive Films from Viscoelastic Composites

We investigated, for the first time, the conditions where a thermoplastic conductive composite can exhibit completely reversible stretchability at high elongational strains (ε = 1.8). We studied a composite of Au nanosheets and a polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene block copolymer as an example. The composite had an outstandingly low sheet resistance (0.45 Ω/sq). We found that when a thin thermoplastic composite film is placed on a relatively thicker chemically cross-linked elastomer film, it can follow the reversible elastic behavior of the bottom elastomer. Such elasticity comes from the restoration of the block copolymer microstructure. The strong adhesion of the thermoplastic polymer to the metallic fillers is advantageous in the fabrication of mechanically robust, highly conductive, stretchable electrodes. The chemical stability of the Au composite was used to fabricate high luminescence, stretchable electrochemiluminescence displays with a conventional top-bottom electrode setup and with a horizontal electrode setup.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. mori, a New Forma Specialis Causing Fusarium Wilt of Blackberry

Fusarium oxysporum has recently been identified as the cause of a wilt disease affecting blackberry in California and Mexico. Thirty-six isolates of F. oxysporum obtained from symptomatic blackberry plants in California and Mexico were comprised of nine distinct somatic compatibility groups (SCGs). Phylogenetic analysis of a concatenated data set, consisting of sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-α and β-tubulin genes and the intergenic spacer of the ribosomal DNA, identified nine three-locus sequence types, each of which corresponded to an SCG. Six SCGs were present only in California, two only in Mexico, and one in both California and Mexico. An isolate associated with the most common SCG in California was tested for pathogenicity on blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and lettuce. All blueberry, raspberry, and lettuce plants that were inoculated remained healthy, but two of the five strawberry cultivars tested developed symptoms. The three strawberry cultivars that were resistant to the blackberry pathogen were also resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, the cause of Fusarium wilt of strawberry. We propose to designate strains of F. oxysporum that are pathogenic to blackberry as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. mori forma specialis nov.

Boosting up the electrical performance of low-grade PEDOT:PSS by optimizing non-ionic surfactants

Although PEDOT:PSS has already been applied to various electronic devices, commercialized PEDOT:PSS products having high conductivity are expensive, which is a considerable burden on device manufacturing. In this study, we optimize non-ionic surfactants mixed in a PEDOT:PSS solution to upgrade a low-grade product of low conductivity to the level of a high-grade product of high conductivity. This study systematically investigates the phase diagram, morphology, conductivity, and mechanical stability of the PEDOT:PSS films according to the hydrophilicity of non-ionic surfactants. This study reveals that the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS film varies greatly depending on the chemical structure of the surfactant and its weight fraction in the thin film. Under the optimum conditions (chemical structure and weight fraction) of the surfactant, the conductivity of the low value product could be improved to the conductivity level of the high value product. The electrical properties of the films were excellently stable even under the extreme cyclic bending tests at a bending radius of 1.5 mm. The low-grade and high grade products showed the same electrical performance when they were used in the Ag nanowires/PEDOT:PSS hybrid transparent electrodes. The results are expected to be applied immediately not only in the laboratory but also in various industrial fields.

Tumor-associated mutant p53 promotes cancer cell survival upon glutamine deprivation through p21 induction

Cancer cells depend on glutamine to sustain their increased proliferation and manage oxidative stress, yet glutamine is often depleted at tumor sites due to excessive cellular consumption and poor vascularization. We have previously reported that p53 protein, while a well-known tumor suppressor, can contribute to cancer cell survival and adaptation to low glutamine conditions. However, the TP53 gene is frequently mutated in tumors, and the role of mutant p53 (mutp53) in response to metabolic stress remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that tumor-associated mutp53 promotes cancer cell survival upon glutamine deprivation both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, cancer cells expressing mutp53 proteins are more resistant to glutamine deprivation than cells with wild type p53 (wtp53). Depletion of endogenous mutp53 protein in human lymphoma cells leads to cell sensitivity to glutamine withdrawal, while expression of mutp53 in p53 null cells results in resistance to glutamine deprivation. Furthermore, we found that mutp53 proteins hyper-transactivate p53 target gene CDKN1A upon glutamine deprivation, thus triggering cell cycle arrest and promoting cell survival. Together, our results reveal an unidentified mechanism by which mutp53 confers oncogenic functions by promoting cancer cell adaptation to metabolic stresses.