Superconductivity on Edge: Evidence of a One-Dimensional Superconducting Channel at the Edges of Single-Layer FeTeSe Antiferromagnetic Nanoribbons

How superconductivity emerges from antiferromagnetic ordering is an essential question for Fe-based superconductors. Here, we explore the effect of dimensionality on the interplay between antiferromagnetic ordering and superconductivity by investigating nanoribbons of single-layer FeTe_1-xSe_x films grown on SrTiO₃(001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we find a one-dimensional (1D) superconducting channel 2 nm wide with a T_C of 42 ± 4 K on the edge of FeTe_1-xSe_x (x < 0.1) ribbons, coexisting with a non-superconducting ribbon interior that remains bicollinear antiferromagnetically ordered. Density functional theory calculations indicate that both Se and the presence of the edge destabilize the bicollinear antiferromagnetic magnetic order, resulting in a paramagnetic region near the edge with strong local checkerboard fluctuations that is conducive to superconductivity. Our results represent the highest T_C achieved in 1D superconductors and demonstrate an effective route toward stabilizing superconductivity in Fe-based superconductors at reduced dimensions.

Optimizing the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves and UPLC-MS/MS analysis

To study the application value of sweet cherry leaves before abscission, a supercritical carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2) extraction method was established for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves. The extraction temperature, pressure and time were optimized with a Box-Behnken design, and the optimal conditions were 43 °C, 30 MPa, and 120 min, resulting in a yield of 2.52 ± 0.261% (w/w), which agrees well with the predicted value. The yield of the sweet cherry leaf extracts obtained by methanol solvent extraction is 2.03% (w/w); the SFE-CO2 extraction method was more efficient and had a higher yield than the methanol solvent extraction method, and the adverse effects of organic solvent residues and high temperatures on the product during traditional solvent extraction were avoided, resulting in a higher quality product. UPLC-MS/MS in negative ion mode provided 56 identifiable chromatographic peaks, including those of 31 acids (13.25%), 5 sugars (15.94%), 2 alcohols (6.19%), and 18 other compounds (3.86%). The fragmentation pathways of the 7 main components in the sweet cherry leaf extract were identified. The carbohydrates and bioactive substances in the extracts obtained from sweet cherry leaves suggested the potential use of sweet cherry leaves in the food and medical industries.

Chiral mesoporous silica synthesized by a facile strategy for loading and releasing poorly water-soluble drug

Most of the mesoporous chiral mesoporous silica (CMS) was synthesized by the chiral surfactant-directing method. In this study, a facile method was designed to synthesize CMS. In this method, achiral amphiphile was used as templating agents, and dilute ammonia solution was applied to induce the chirality of the CMS. Meanwhile, its morphology can be controlled by changing the concentration of the aqueous ammonia solution. The obtained CMS was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that all of the CMS possessed highly ordered mesostructures, and as the concentration of ammonia decreases, the chirality of the CMS becomes more obvious. Water-insoluble drug curcumin (Cur) was used as a model drug. The characteristics of CMS before and after drug loading were further detected by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), N₂ adsorption-desorption and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The result showed that Cur was successfully loaded inside the pores of the CMS and remained an amorphous state due to steric inhibition. Additionally, CMS could significantly increase the release rate of Cur under different pH conditions.

Stable edge structures and electronic states in zigzag 1T'-dichalcogenide nanoribbons

Based on first-principles calculations, we studied the various possible edge structures in zigzag 1T'-MoS2and 1T'-WTe2nanoribbons. By the binding energy analysis, there are stable chalcogen S- and Te-terminated edge structures for 1T'-MoS2and 1T'-WTe2nanoribbons, respectively. Unlike 1T'-MoS2nanoribbons, where little edge reconstruction can be found, 1T'-WTe2nanoribbons suffer larger edge reconstruction. Moreover, the new edges of 1T'-WTe2can be magnetized due to the spontaneous strain effect in narrow nanoribbons. Interestingly, there are quantum-well-like states near Fermi level in both 1T'-MoS2and 1T'-WTe2nanoribbons. Our calculations may promote the experimental research for the edge structures and the application of 1T'-dichalcogenide nanoribbons in nanodevices.

Stimuli-Responsive Microfluidic Interface Enables Highly Efficient Capture and Release of Circulating Fetal Cells for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Circulating fetal nucleated cells (CFCs) carrying whole genomic coding of the fetus in maternal blood have been pursued as ideal biomarkers for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). However, a significant limitation is the need to enrich sufficient cells in quantity and purity for fetal genetic disorder diagnosis. This study for the first time demonstrates a stimuli-responsive ligand enabling interface on array patterned microfluidic chip (NIPT-Chip) for high efficient isolation and release of CFCs in untreated whole blood. Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD)-array was patterned in the chip to increase collision frequency between CFCs and surface-anchored antibody to achieve high efficient cell capture. More importantly, the stimuli-responsive interface enables gentle release of captured CFCs through a thiol exchange reaction for downstream gene analysis of NIPT. With the advantages of simple processing, efficient isolation, and gentle release, NIPT-Chip offers great potential for clinical translation of circulating fetal cell-based NIPT.

DNA Nanolithography Enables a Highly Ordered Recognition Interface in a Microfluidic Chip for the Efficient Capture and Release of Circulating Tumor Cells

Microfluidic chips with nano-scale structures have shown great potential, but the fabrication and cost issues restrict their application. Herein, we propose a conceptually new "DNA nanolithography in a microfluidic chip" by using sub-10 nm three-dimensional DNA structures (TDNs) as frameworks with a pendant aptamer at the top vertex (ApTDN-Chip). The nano-scale framework ensures that the aptamer is in a highly ordered upright orientation, avoiding the undesired orientation or crowding effects caused by conventional microfluidic interface fabrication processes. Compared with a monovalent aptamer modified chip, the capture efficiency of ApTDN-Chip was enhanced nearly 60 % due to the highly precise dimension and rigid framework of TDNs. In addition, the scaffolds make DNase I more accessible to the aptamer with up to 83 % release efficiency and 91 % cell viability, which is fully compatible with downstream molecular analysis. Overall, this strategy provides a novel perspective on engineering nano-scaffolds to achieve a more ordered nano-topography of microfluidic chips.

Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Augmentation Phalloplasty Surgery

Introduction and Objective

Many men often have the need to enlarge their penises for psychological gain and to satisfy or to impress their partners. Many surgical techniques have been reported. However, none is the gold standard.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human acellular dermal matrix allograft in augmentation phalloplasty technique.

Methods

From March 2015 to September 2017, a total of 182 patients were prospectively recruited into our cohort after complete physical and psychological evaluation that deemed suitable for penile enhancement. Penis circumference was measured at the mid-length of the penis. Mean was 7.03 cm (6.93 ± 1.00 cm) and 12.1 cm (10.59 ± 1.15 cm) during flaccid and erection, respectively. All patients received human acellular dermal matrix graft under spinal or local anesthesia. The allograft was preconditioned in normal saline for 20 minutes, and mesh incisions were made to optimize blood flow. The width was equal to the circumference of both corpus cavernosa but without corpus spongiosum. The length of the graft was determined by measuring the length between the tip of the coronary sulcus and the root of penis. A complete incision below the coronary sulcus to the depth of the Buck's fascia was made. Then separate the dartos fascia from the Buck's fascia. The prepared graft was then placed on top of the Buck's fascia, with the blood-remained side facing the Buck's fascia. The graft was sutured using 4-0 absorbable polyglycolic acid suture to the Buck's fascia. Extra caution needed to be taken when fixing ventrally to avoid injuring the urethra. Once completed, the dartos fascia was restored, the dartos fascia and subcutaneous tissue were sutured with 4-0 absorbable suture, and skin closure is achieved subsequently.

Results

The post-operative course was without complications. At the follow-up after 1 year, the mean flaccid girth increased to 8.07 ± 1.06 cm (P < .05), while the mean erect girth increased to 12.79 ± 1.23 cm (P < .05). Sexual activity was allowed after 8 weeks of surgery. The majority reported that sexual self-esteem and functioning significantly improved. In addition, 59 patients reported alleviation of premature ejaculation.

Conclusions

Compared to autologous dermis-fat graft and xenograft, augmentation phalloplasty using human acellular dermal matrix has several advantages: (1) it avoids harm harvesting site of the autograft; (2) the effects of dermis allograft can last at least 1 year; and (3) acellular dermal matrix is more likely to be accepted by people.

ATR inhibition potentiates ionizing radiation-induced interferon response via cytosolic nucleic acid-sensing pathways

Mechanistic understanding of how ionizing radiation induces type I interferon signaling and how to amplify this signaling module should help to maximize the efficacy of radiotherapy. In the current study, we report that inhibitors of the DNA damage response kinase ATR can significantly potentiate ionizing radiation-induced innate immune responses. Using a series of mammalian knockout cell lines, we demonstrate that, surprisingly, both the cGAS/STING-dependent DNA-sensing pathway and the MAVS-dependent RNA-sensing pathway are responsible for type I interferon signaling induced by ionizing radiation in the presence or absence of ATR inhibitors. The relative contributions of these two pathways in type I interferon signaling depend on cell type and/or genetic background. We propose that DNA damage-elicited double-strand DNA breaks releases DNA fragments, which may either activate the cGAS/STING-dependent pathway or-especially in the case of AT-rich DNA sequences-be transcribed and initiate MAVS-dependent RNA sensing and signaling. Together, our results suggest the involvement of two distinct pathways in type I interferon signaling upon DNA damage. Moreover, radiation plus ATR inhibition may be a promising new combination therapy against cancer.

The polymorphism of bovine Cofilin-1 gene sequence variants and association analysis with growth traits in Qinchuan cattle

In our study, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in exon 2 of cofilin-1 (CFL1) gene in 488 Chinese Qinchuan (QC) cattle, which included two missense mutations T 2084G and G 2107C, two synonymous mutations T 2052C and T 2169C. Further, we evaluated haplotype frequency and linkage disequilibrium (LD) coefficient of four SNPs. At SNP T 2052C, G 2107C and T 2169C, the QC cattle population belonged to intermediate genetic diversity (0.25 < PIC-value < 0.5), whereas SNP T-2084G belonged to low polymorphism (PIC-value < 0.25). Haplotype analysis showed that 6 different haplotypes (frequency > 0.03). LD analysis showed that SNP G 2107C and T 2169C, SNP G 2107C and T 2084G were high LD, respectively (r² > 0.33). Association analysis indicated that SNP T 2052C was significantly associated with body length, chest breadth, chest depth and body mass in the QC population (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). SNP G 2107C was significantly associated with rump length (p < 0.05). SNP T 2169C was significantly associated with chest breadth and chest depth (p < .01 or p < .05). The results of our study suggest that the CFL1 gene may be a strong candidate gene that affects growth traits in the QC cattle breeding program.

Comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics of vancomycin hydrochloride in rabbits after ocular, intragastric, and intravenous administration by LC-MS/MS

The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin hydrochloride administered into rabbits through different routes and explore the feasibility of peptide drugs entering the systemic circulation through ocular administration. A convenient, accurate, and rapid liquid chromatography-trandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was established and used for the determination of vancomycin hydrochloride in rabbit plasma after intravenous administration (1.5 mg/kg), intragastric, and ocular administration (15 mg/kg). The pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed using the DAS 2.0 software. We obtained a linear calibration curves vancomycin hydrochloride in plasma of rabbits over a concentration range of 0.05-10.0 μg/mL (R ² > 0.9995), the interassay accuracy was within 5%, precision of 1.66-3.38%, and recovery of >85%. No matrix effects were observed. The absolute bioavailability of vancomycin hydrochloride after intragastric and ocular administration was 1.0 and 7.3%, with the half-life values of 63.1 and 138.5 min, respectively. Therefore, the LC-MS/MS method established in this experiment was suitable for the determination of vancomycin hydrochloride. Vancomycin hydrochloride was rapidly absorbed into the blood circulation after ocular administration. Ocular administration was linked to higher bioavailability compared with intragastric administration, suggesting that the former will become a route for the delivery of peptide drugs.

[Evaluation of the effect of sleep on inflammatory bowel disease patients based on propensity score matching]

Objective: To evaluate the sleep status and the correlation of sleep status with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A case-control study was carried out, including 568 IBD patients including 188 ucerative colitis (UC) patients and 380 Crohn's disease (CD) patients at 36 hospitals from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019, and 671 family members and healthy controls from the same cities. The survey consisted of three parts including general demographic data, clinical characteristics and sleep related factors by questionnaires. The items for sleep related factor included sleep duration on work days, sleep duration on weekends, sleep quality, sleep adequacy, snoring, sleep apnea and sleep hand foot movement. R language was used for propensity score and SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results: The proportion of poor sleep quality before onset in UC and CD was higher than that in healthy control group (CD: 14.5% vs 5.3%, P<0.001; UC: 15.1% vs 5.4%, P<0.001). In CD group, the proportion of snoring before onset (31.3% vs 44.3%, P<0.001) and apnea (0.9% vs 5.5%, P=0.001) was lower than that in heathy control group. The proportion of athetosis in CD was higher than that in healthy control group (35.4% vs 28.9%, P=0.045). Conclusion: Patients with UC and CD have poor sleep quality before the onset of the disease, especially in CD patients.

Electrocautery Needling and the 308-nm Excimer Lamp: A Synergistic Combination for the Treatment of Stable Non-segmental Vitiligo

Introduction

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmentation disorder caused by the destruction of melanocytes. Although various treatments have been proposed for the management of vitiligo, achieving repigmentation and preventing relapse remains challenging. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of electrocautery needling (EC needling) as a treatment for stable non-segmental vitiligo and to determine if the effectiveness of this treatment could be enhanced by combining it with the 308-nm excimer lamp (excimer lamp).

Methods

Thirty patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo were enrolled in this self-controlled, non-blinded study. Three vitiligo lesions of similar size, location and disease duration were selected from each patient and randomly assigned to one of three groups treated weekly with EC needling, an excimer lamp or a combination of both (combination group), respectively. The effectiveness of treatment on the repigmentation percentage and the number of treatments required for initial pigmentation were assessed.

Results

There was no significant difference in the repigmentation percentage between the EC needling group and the excimer lamp group (P = 0.789). The mean number of treatments required for initial repigmentation was lower in the EC needling group than in the excimer lamp group (P = 0.049). The repigmentation percentage was significantly higher in the combination group than in the EC needling group (P = 0.027) and excimer lamp group (P = 0.005). Evidence of initial pigmentation was obtained earlier in lesions treated with the combination therapy than in lesions treated with excimer lamp therapy alone (P = 0.019). Vitiligo lesions on the face and neck regions showed the highest repigmentation percentage among all anatomical regions, whereas lesions on the hands and feet showed the worst treatment response.

Conclusion

Electrocautery needling monotherapy was effective in treating vitiligo, and its efficacy was enhanced when combined with the 308-nm excimer lamp. This combined approach to treat vitiligo is safe and helps increase patient compliance.

Results from Melanoma Antigen Redirected Vaccine Stimulated Autologous Lymphocytes (MARVSmALo): A pilot study

e15026

Background: Despite improvements in treatment with targeted agents and immunotherapeutics metastatic melanoma still has a guarded prognosis. Many melanoma cells upregulate the disialoganglioside GD2. Early GD2 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell studies in neuroblastoma demonstrated no toxicity but limited ability to expand in vivo. Strategies to expand these GD2.CAR T cells might improve efficacy while retaining safety. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of first generation 14g2a.zeta chimeric antigen receptor ( GD2.CAR ) transduced, activated T cells enriched for vaccine specific cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes (tvs-CTL). Methods: Patients with metastatic melanoma in which standard therapy had failed were eligible if they had recovered from effects of prior therapy, did not have rapidly progressive disease, were free of melanoma involving the CNS and did not have a contraindication to receiving Hepatitis B, Polio or DTAP vaccine. Patients received each of these vaccines prior to cell harvest, 4 days before and 28 days after autologous T cell infusion. Patient 1 was treated with 2 x 108 cell dose and patients 2 and 3 were treated with 4x108 cell dose. We used QPCR to measure transgene copy number in patients before and after infusion. Interferon-gamma enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay was used to measure the frequencies of tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, poliovirus and tumor antigens-specific T cells in peripheral blood. Results: GD2.CAR-tvs-CTL were manufactured and infused in 3 patients. Overall the infusions were safe. Seven low grade adverse events possibly related to study participation were reported. The first 2 patients did not demonstrate robust in vivo expansion of GD2.CAR-tvs-CTLs by QPCR and had rapid disease progression. In patient 3 a significant expansion of GD2.CAR-tvs-CTLs, i.e. 18,250 copies/ug genomic DNA was observed on day 7 and cells persisted at 159 copies/ug DNA for up to 12 months (latest measured time point). High pertussis-specific responses were also observed by INF-gamma ELISPOT in this patient starting from day 14 after the vaccination through month 12. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that GD2.CAR T cells expanded and persisted in melanoma patient for up to 12 months. The use of vaccination before blood procurement for T cell manufacture and boosting virus-specific T cell after CAR T cell infusion is a safe strategy and may have helped induced higher transgene levels in one of three patients. Clinical trial information: NCT02482532 .

Value of a Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Young Patients With Hypertension

Risk stratification of young patients with hypertension remains challenging. Generally, machine learning (ML) is considered a promising alternative to traditional methods for clinical predictions because it is capable of processing large amounts of complex data. We, therefore, explored the feasibility of an ML approach for predicting outcomes in young patients with hypertension and compared its performance with that of approaches now commonly used in clinical practice. Baseline clinical data and a composite end point—comprising all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery revascularization, new-onset heart failure, new-onset atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, sustained ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, peripheral artery revascularization, new-onset stroke, end-stage renal disease—were evaluated in 508 young patients with hypertension (30.83±6.17 years) who had been treated at a tertiary hospital. Construction of the ML model, which consisted of recursive feature elimination, extreme gradient boosting, and 10-fold cross-validation, was performed at the 33-month follow-up evaluation, and the model’s performance was compared with that of the Cox regression and recalibrated Framingham Risk Score models. An 11-variable combination was considered most valuable for predicting outcomes using the ML approach. The C statistic for identifying patients with composite end points was 0.757 (95% CI, 0.660–0.854) for the ML model, whereas for Cox regression model and the recalibrated Framingham Risk Score model it was 0.723 (95% CI, 0.636–0.810) and 0.529 (95% CI, 0.403–0.655). The ML approach was comparable with Cox regression for determining the clinical prognosis of young patients with hypertension and was better than that of the recalibrated Framingham Risk Score model.

Oryza sativa FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (OsFIT/OsbHLH156) interacts with OsIRO2 to regulate iron homeostasis

Iron (Fe) is indispensable for the growth and development of plants. It is well known that FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (FIT) is a key regulator of Fe uptake in Arabidopsis. Here, we identify the Oryza sativa FIT (also known as OsbHLH156) as the interacting partner of IRON-RELATED BHLH TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 2 (OsIRO2) that is critical for regulating Fe uptake. The OsIRO2 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, but OsFIT facilitates the accumulation of OsIRO2 in the nucleus. Loss-of-function mutations of OsFIT result in decreased Fe accumulation, severe Fe-deficiency symptoms, and disrupted expression of Fe-uptake genes. In contrast, OsFIT overexpression promotes Fe accumulation and the expression of Fe-uptake genes. Genetic analyses indicate that OsFIT and OsIRO2 function in the same genetic node. Further analyses suggest that OsFIT and OsIRO2 form a functional transcription activation complex to initiate the expression of Fe-uptake genes. Our findings provide a mechanism understanding of how rice maintains Fe homeostasis.

High serum concentration of selenium, but not calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, and magnesium, increased the risk of both hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in adults: A health examination center based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Metabolic disorders of glucose and lipid were associated with some mineral elements, and data were warranted from various contexts to make the association more explicit.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between the serum concentrations of six mineral elements (calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, and selenium) and the risk of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in adults.

METHODS

The basic information and the over-night fasting serum samples of adults were randomly collected at a health examination center. The serum concentrations of glucose and lipids were measured with an automatic biochemical analyzer, and the mineral elements were measured with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Data were analyzed between the hyperglycemia group (HGg) and the normal glucose group (NGg) as well as between the dyslipidemia group (DLg) and the normal lipid group (NLg).

RESULTS

A total of 1466 adults aged 22-81 years (male/female = 1.8) were included, 110 in the HGg and 1356 in the NGg, or 873 in the DLg and 593 in the NLg. The serum element concentration medians [P50 (P25-P75)] significantly different between the HGg and the NGg were 0.83 (0.75-0.94) vs. 0.76 (0.68-0.87) mg/L for copper and 100 (90-110) vs. 94 (87-103) μg/L for selenium (P < 0.001), while those between the DLg and the NLg were 99 (92-110) vs. 97 (90-106) mg/L for calcium, 0.78 (0.69-0.88) vs. 0.75 (0.66-0.85) mg/L for copper, 1.7 (1.4-2.0) vs. 1.6 (1.3-2.0) mg/L for iron, 24 (22-28) vs. 23 (22-27) mg/L for magnesium, and 97 (89-106) vs. 92 (84-100) μg/L for selenium (P < 0.05). When the copper and selenium between the HGg and the NGg were analyzed by logistic regression with age, gender, body mass index, and mineral elements adjusted, only the highest quartile of selenium concentration had association with the increased risk of hyperglycemia [quartile (Q) 4 against Q1: OR = 2.9, 95 % CI = 1.5-5.5, P < 0.001). When the five differed mineral elements between the DLg and the NLg were similarly analyzed, only iron and selenium had associations with the increased risk of dyslipidemia (e.g., Q4 against Q1: OR = 1.4, 95 % CI = 1.1-2.0 for iron and OR = 2.9, 95 % CI = 2.1-4.0 for selenium, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In contrast to those of calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, and magnesium, the higher serum concentration of selenium increased the risk of both hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in the study population of adult Chinese.

Highly Sensitive Minimal Residual Disease Detection by Biomimetic Multivalent Aptamer Nanoclimber Functionalized Microfluidic Chip

Minimal residual disease (MRD) offers a highly independent prognostic factor for leukemia patients. However, challenges confronting conventional MRD assays are high invasiveness, as well as limited detection sensitivity and clinical applicability. Inspired by the self-adaptive skeleton and multiple suckers or tendrils of climbing plants, a biomimetic Multivalent Aptamer Nanoclimber (MANC)-functionalized microfluidic chip (MANC-Chip) is reported for minimally invasive, highly sensitive and clinically applicable MRD detection in the peripheral blood of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. The MANCs are synthesized by a simple co-polymerization reaction. Due to their flexible structure and cooperative multivalent effect, MANCs dramatically enhance the binding affinity of aptamers targeting leukemia cells. A deterministic lateral displacement-patterned microfluidic chip is designed to further increase the collision probability between MANCs and leukemia cells. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of multivalent binding and enhanced collision, a high capture efficiency of 92.2% for leukemia cells is achieved. Moreover, the captured leukemia cells can be released with high efficiency of 88.9% and high viability of 93.8% via nuclease treatment prior to downstream analysis. Overall, the excellent features of MANC-Chip make it very useful for precise detection of MRD and better understanding of leukemia.

Secondary Grain Growth in Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Films with Ethylamine Hydrochloride Additives for Highly Efficient Solar Cells

The grain boundaries of perovskite polycrystalline are regarded as a defect region that not only provides carrier recombination sites but also introduces device degradation pathways. Efforts to enlarging the grain size of a perovskite film and reducing its grain boundary are crucial for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Some effective methods that facilitate grain growth are postdeposition thermal annealing and solvent vapor annealing. However, a detailed understanding of grain growth mechanisms in perovskite films is lacking. In this study, perovskite films were prepared by adding ethylamine hydrochloride (EACl) to the precursor solution. This additive strategy promotes a new grain growth mode, secondary grain growth, in perovskite films. Secondary grain growth leads to much larger grains with a high crystallographic orientation. These excellent properties lead to reduced grain boundaries and the densities of boundary defects. The improved film quality results in a prolonged charge-carrier lifetime and a significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). Compared with the 18.42% PCE of the control device, the PCE of the device with EACl additives reaches 21.07%.

LINP1 promotes the progression of cervical cancer by scaffolding EZH2, LSD1, and DNMT1 to inhibit the expression of KLF2 and PRSS8

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with a variety of cancers. LncRNA LINP1 has been shown to be a key factor in tumor malignancy. However, the role of LINP1 in cervical cancer (CC) it is unclear. In our research, we found that the levels of LINP1 were significantly elevated in CC tissues by comparison with adjacent normal tissue. Further, the expression level of LINP1 was upregulated in CC cells compared with healthy human cervical epithelial cell lines (HUCEC). Surprisingly, we found that downregulation of LINP1 significantly reduced the proliferation of CC cells and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, downregulation of LINP1 significantly decreased CC tumor growth in vivo. Further, we observed that LINP1 recruits EZH2, LSD1, and DNMT1, thereby reducing the expression of KLF2 and PRSS8. The results from our qRT-PCR analyses showed that silencing LINP1 uprgulated the expression of KLF2 and PRSS8 in CC cells. The results from our loss-of-function assays showed that upregulation of KLF2 and PRSS8 inhibits cell proliferation and boosts cell apoptosis in CC. We also found that inhibition of KLF2 and PRSS8 reversed the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation associated with silencing LINP1. In short, LINP1 facilitates the progression of CC by suppressing KLF2 and PRSS8, and thus could provide a promising target for CC therapy.

HMCES safeguards replication from oxidative stress and ensures error-free repair

Replication across oxidative DNA lesions can give rise to mutations that pose a threat to genome integrity. How such lesions, which escape base excision repair, get removed without error during replication remains unknown. Our PCNA-based screen to uncover changes in replisome composition under different replication stress conditions had revealed a previously unknown PCNA-interacting protein, HMCES/C3orf37. Here, we show that HMCES is a critical component of the replication stress response, mainly upon base misincorporation. We further demonstrate that the absence of HMCES imparts resistance to pemetrexed treatment due to error-prone bypass of oxidative damage. Furthermore, based on genetic screening, we show that homologous recombination repair proteins, such as CtIP, BRCA2, BRCA1, and PALB2, are indispensable for the survival of HMCES KO cells. Hence, HMCES, which is the sole member of the SRAP superfamily in higher eukaryotes known so far, acts as a proofreader on replication forks, facilitates resolution of oxidative base damage, and therefore ensures faithful DNA replication.

Enhanced core-shell CeO2:Er,Yb@W18O49 heterojunction H2 generation by multiband emissions of Er ions

The core-shell CeO₂:Er,Yb@W₁₈O₄₉ heterojunction is successfully synthesized via the facile solvothermal method. The octahedral CeO₂:Er,Yb nanocrystal's core exhibits green (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2), red (⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2) and NIR (⁴I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2) emission under 980 nm laser diode excitation, and the multiband emissions are absorbed by the W₁₈O₄₉ nanowire's shell, re-exciting its higher energy localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR). With the excitation of 980 nm, the photocatalytic property of CeO₂:Er,Yb@W₁₈O₄₉ for hydrogen (H₂) evolution from ammonia borane (BH₃NH₃), a three-fold increase compared to W₁₈O₄₉, is researched. The application of natural sunlight for the production of H₂ is studied, and an obvious H₂ production enhancement compared to the use of W₁₈O₄₉ (two-fold) is also observed. This remarkable enhancement in the catalytic activity of CeO₂:Er,Yb@W₁₈O₄₉ heterostructures is ascribed to the re-excitation of LSPR by multiband emissions of CeO₂:Er,Yb.