Identification of CD8+ T cell infiltration-related genes and their prognostic values in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a female-specific cancer with relatively high morbidity and mortality. As known to all, immune cell infiltrations in the cancer microenvironment are closely related to the cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Here we revealed that the CD8+ T cell infiltration was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer versus normal cervix uteri samples. Through univariate and multivariate cox analyses, we discovered that the CD8+ T cell infiltration was the only independent beneficial factor for the prognosis of cervical cancer. To explore the genes associated with the CD8+ T cell infiltration in cervical cancer, we performed the WGCNA analysis on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of cervical cancer versus normal cervix uteri tissues. As a result, 231 DEGs were found to be associated with CD8+ T cell infiltration in cervical cancer. Subsequently, with the Cytoscape analysis, we identified 105 hub genes out of the 231 DEGs. To further explore the genes that might be responsible for the prognosis of cervical cancer, we performed a univariate cox analysis followed by a LASSO assay on the 105 hub genes and located four genes (IGSF6, TLR10, FCRL3, and IFI30) finally. The four genes could be applied to the prediction of the prognosis of cervical cancer, and relatively higher expression of these four genes predicted a better prognosis. These findings contributed to our understanding of the prognostic values of CD8+ T cell infiltration and its associated genes in cervical cancer and thus might benefit future immune-related therapies.

Hypoxia is fine-tuned by Hif-1α and regulates mesendoderm differentiation through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway

Background

Hypoxia naturally happens in embryogenesis and thus serves as an important environmental factor affecting embryo development. Hif-1α, an essential hypoxia response factor, was mostly considered to mediate or synergistically regulate the effect of hypoxia on stem cells. However, the function and relationship of hypoxia and Hif-1α in regulating mesendoderm differentiation remains controversial.

Results

We here discovered that hypoxia dramatically suppressed the mesendoderm differentiation and promoted the ectoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, hypoxia treatment after mesendoderm was established promoted the downstream differentiation of mesendoderm-derived lineages. These effects of hypoxia were mediated by the repression of the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway and the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway was at least partially regulated by the Akt/Gsk3β axis. Blocking the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway under normoxia using IWP2 mimicked the effects of hypoxia while activating the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway with CHIR99021 fully rescued the mesendoderm differentiation suppression caused by hypoxia. Unexpectedly, Hif-1α overexpression, in contrast to hypoxia, promoted mesendoderm differentiation and suppressed ectoderm differentiation. Knockdown of Hif-1α under normoxia and hypoxia both inhibited the mesendoderm differentiation. Moreover, hypoxia even suppressed the mesendoderm differentiation of Hif-1α knockdown mESCs, further implying that the effects of hypoxia on the mesendoderm differentiation were Hif-1α independent. Consistently, the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway was enhanced by Hif-1α overexpression and inhibited by Hif-1α knockdown. As shown by RNA-seq, unlike hypoxia, the effect of Hif-1α was relatively mild and selectively regulated part of hypoxia response genes, which fine-tuned the effect of hypoxia on mESC differentiation.

Conclusions

This study revealed that hypoxia is fine-tuned by Hif-1α and regulates the mesendoderm and ectoderm differentiation by manipulating the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, which contributed to the understanding of hypoxia-mediated regulation of development.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01423-y.

Theoretical Study on the High HER/OER Electrocatalytic Activities of 2D GeSi, SnSi, and SnGe Monolayers and Further Improvement by Imposing Biaxial Strain or Doping Heteroatoms

Under the DFT calculations, two-dimensional (2D) GeSi, SnSi, and SnGe monolayers, considered as the structural analogues of famous graphene, are confirmed to be dynamically, mechanically and thermodynamically stable, and all of them can also possess good conductivity. Furthermore, we systematically investigate their electrocatalytic activities in overall water splitting. The SnSi monolayer can show good HER catalytic activity, while the SnGe monolayer can display remarkable OER catalytic activity. In particular, the GeSi monolayer can even exhibit excellent bifunctional HER/OER electrocatalytic activities. In addition, applying the biaxial strain or doping heteroatoms (especially P atom) can be regarded as the effective strategies to further improve the HER activities of these three 2D monolayers. The doped GeSi and SnSi systems can usually exhibit higher HER activity than the doped SnGe systems. The correlative catalytic mechanisms are also analyzed. This work could open up a new avenue for the development of non-noble-metal-based HER/OER electrocatalysts.

[Evaluation of the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province-based on interrupted time series]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province. Methods: Information on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was collected through the National Population Health Science Data Center and the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. In addition, the trend of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate in Gansu province before and after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program was analyzed using an interrupted time-series design. Results: The annual reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was 0.448/per 100 000. However, after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program in Gansu province in 2008, the amount of change in the level of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was -2.223/per 100 000 (t=-2.90, P=0.007), the amount of change in the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was 0.082 (t=2.87, P=0.008) with the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate as 0.071 (β₁+β₃=0.071). Conclusions: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine has achieved good prevention and control effects in Gansu province in the short term after its inclusion in the expanded immunization program, but outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have still occurred. Therefore, in the future, Gansu province should promptly adjust the immunization strategy of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and strengthen the vaccination of the adult population, especially the rural adult population in the southeastern region of Gansu province, based on the continued focus on the works on Japanese encephalitis vaccination for children and adolescents.

A Deep Learning Framework About Traffic Flow Forecasting for Urban Traffic Emission Monitoring System

As urban traffic pollution continues to increase, there is an urgent need to build traffic emission monitoring and forecasting system for the urban traffic construction. The traffic emission monitoring and forecasting system's core is the prediction of traffic emission's evolution. And the traffic flow prediction on the urban road network contributes greatly to the prediction of traffic emission's evolution. Due to the complex non-Euclidean topological structure of traffic networks and dynamic heterogeneous spatial-temporal correlations of traffic conditions, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory prediction results with less computation cost. To figure these issues out, a novel deep learning traffic flow forecasting framework is proposed in this paper, termed as Ensemble Attention based Graph Time Convolutional Networks (EAGTCN). More specifically, each component of our model contains two major blocks: (1) the global spatial patterns are captured by the spatial blocks which are fused by the Graph Convolution Network (GCN) and spatial ensemble attention layer; (2) the temporal patterns are captured by the temporal blocks which are composed by the Time Convolution Net (TCN) and temporal ensemble attention layers. Experiments on two real-world datasets demonstrate that our model obtains more accurate prediction results than the state-of-the-art baselines at less computation expense especially in the long-term prediction situation.

Phonon Thermal Transport in Silicene/Graphene Heterobilayer Nanostructures: Effect of Interlayer Interactions

Heterostructuring, as a promising route to optimize the physical properties of 2D materials, has attracted great attention from the academic community. In this paper, we investigated the room-temperature in-plane and cross-plane phonon thermal transport in silicene/graphene van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures using molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulation results demonstrated that heat current along the graphene layer is remarkably larger than that along the silicene layer, which suggests that graphene dominates the thermal transport in silicene/graphene heterostructures. The in-plane phonon thermal conductivity of the silicene/graphene heterostructures could be a compromise between monolayer graphene and monolayer silicene. Heterostructuring can remarkably reduce the in-plane thermal conductivity of the graphene layer but increase the in-plane thermal conductivity of the silicene layer in heterobilayers compared with the freestanding monolayer counterparts because of their different structures. We also simulated the interlayer interaction strength effect on the in-plane phonon thermal conductivity and cross-plane interfacial thermal resistance of silicene/graphene heterostructures. Total in-plane phonon thermal conductivity and interfacial thermal resistance both decrease with the increase in the interlayer interaction strength in the silicene/graphene heterobilayers. In addition, the calculated interfacial thermal resistance shows the effect of the thermal transport direction across the interface. This study provides a useful reference for the thermal management regulation of 2D vdW heterostructures.

Observation and control of pseudospin switching in a finite-width topological photonic crystal

Finite-size effect plays a significant role in topology photonics not to mention in reality all experimental setups are in finite-size. A photonic bandgap is opened in the topological edge state dispersion if a topological photonic crystal with finite width is considered, and the bandgap size relies on the finite-size effect. Pseudospin-preserving and pseudospin-flipping processes can be realized when a selectively switch of the pseudospin of edge states are customized by our designs. Our microwave experiments also successfully demonstrate pseudospin switch-on and -off behaviors in a finite-width photonic crystal. By combining photonic crystals with finite widths, a multi-tunneling proposal of topological photonic crystals can also be achieved. Our study of the finite-size effect will provide new approaches and thoughts to improve the development of topological photonic devices in the future.

TNF Signaling Acts Downstream of MiR-322/-503 in Regulating DM1 Myogenesis

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by the expanded CUG repeats and usually displays defective myogenesis. Although we previously reported that ectopic miR-322/-503 expression improved myogenesis in DM1 by targeting the toxic RNA, the underlying pathways regulating myogenesis that were aberrantly altered in DM1 and rescued by miR-322/-503 were still unknown. Here, we constructed DM1 and miR-322/-503 overexpressing DM1 myoblast models, which were subjected to in vitro myoblast differentiation along with their corresponding controls. Agreeing with previous findings, DM1 myoblast showed remarkable myogenesis defects, while miR-322/-503 overexpression successfully rescued the defects. By RNA sequencing, we noticed that Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling was the only pathway that was significantly and oppositely altered in these two experimental sets, with it upregulated in DM1 and inhibited by miR-322/-503 overexpression. Consistently, hyperactivity of TNF signaling was detected in two DM1 mouse models. Blocking TNF signaling significantly rescued the myogenesis defects in DM1. On the contrary, TNF-α treatment abolished the rescue effect of miR-322/-503 on DM1 myogenesis. Taking together, these results implied that TNF signaling mediated the myogenesis defects in DM1 and might act downstream of miR-322/-503 in regulating the myogenesis in DM1. Moreover, the inhibition of TNF signaling benefiting myogenesis in DM1 provided us with a novel therapeutic strategy for DM1.

Material-structure integrated design for ultra-broadband all-dielectric metamaterial absorber

Material and structure are the essential elements of all-dielectric metamaterials. Structure design for specific dielectric materials has been studied while the contribution of material and synergistic effect of material and structure have been overlooked in the past years. Herein, we propose a material-structure integrated design (MSID) methodology for all-dielectric metamaterials, increasing the degree of freedom in the metamaterial design, to comprehensively optimize microwave absorption performance and further investigate the contribution of material and structure to absorption. A dielectric metamaterial absorber with an ultra-broadband absorption from 5.3 to 18.0 GHz is realized. Theoretical calculation and numerical simulation demonstrate that the symphony of material and structure excites multiple resonance modes encompassing quarter-wavelength interference cancellation, spoof surface plasmon polariton mode, dielectric resonance mode and grating mode, which is essential to afford the desirable absorption performance. This work highlights the superiority of coupling of material and structure and provides an effective design and optimization strategy for all-dielectric metamaterial absorbers.

H19X-encoded miR-322(424)/miR-503 regulates muscle mass by targeting translation initiation factors

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a debilitating complication of many chronic diseases, disuse conditions, and ageing. Genome-wide gene expression analyses have identified that elevated levels of microRNAs encoded by the H19X locus are among the most significant changes in skeletal muscles in a wide scope of human cachectic conditions. We have previously reported that the H19X locus is important for the establishment of striated muscle fate during embryogenesis. However, the role of H19X-encoded microRNAs in regulating skeletal mass in adults is unknown.

METHODS

We have created a transgenic mouse strain in which ectopic expression of miR-322/miR-503 is driven by the skeletal muscle-specific muscle creatine kinase promoter. We also used an H19X mutant mouse strain in which transcription from the locus is interrupted by a gene trap. Animal phenotypes were analysed by standard histological methods. Underlying mechanisms were explored by using transcriptome profiling and validated in the two animal models and cultured myotubes.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that the levels of H19X microRNAs are inversely related to postnatal skeletal muscle growth. Targeted overexpression of miR-322/miR-503 impeded skeletal muscle growth. The weight of gastrocnemius muscles of transgenic mice was only 54.5% of the counterparts of wild-type littermates. By contrast, interruption of transcription from the H19X locus stimulates postnatal muscle growth by 14.4-14.9% and attenuates the loss of skeletal muscle mass in response to starvation by 12.8-21.0%. Impeded muscle growth was not caused by impaired IGF1/AKT/mTOR signalling or a hyperactive ubiquitin-proteasome system, instead accompanied by markedly dropped abundance of translation initiation factors in transgenic mice. miR-322/miR-503 directly targets eIF4E, eIF4G1, eIF4B, eIF2B5, and eIF3M.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study illustrates a novel pathway wherein H19X microRNAs regulate skeletal muscle growth and atrophy through regulating the abundance of translation initiation factors, thereby protein synthesis. The study highlights how translation initiation factors lie at the crux of multiple signalling pathways that control skeletal muscle mass.

Inhibition of Postn Rescues Myogenesis Defects in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Myoblast Model

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited neuromuscular disease caused by expanded CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the DMPK gene. The myogenesis process is defective in DM1, which is closely associated with progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Despite many proposed explanations for the myogenesis defects in DM1, the underlying mechanism and the involvement of the extracellular microenvironment remained unknown. Here, we constructed a DM1 myoblast cell model and reproduced the myogenesis defects. By RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we discovered that periostin (Postn) was the most significantly upregulated gene in DM1 myogenesis compared with normal controls. This difference in Postn was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Moreover, Postn was found to be significantly upregulated in skeletal muscle and myoblasts of DM1 patients. Next, we knocked down Postn using a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in DM1 myoblast cells and found that the myogenesis defects in the DM1 group were successfully rescued, as evidenced by increases in the myotube area, the fusion index, and the expression of myogenesis regulatory genes. Similarly, Postn knockdown in normal myoblast cells enhanced myogenesis. As POSTN is a secreted protein, we treated the DM1 myoblast cells with a POSTN-neutralizing antibody and found that DM1 myogenesis defects were successfully rescued by POSTN neutralization. We also tested the myogenic ability of myoblasts in the skeletal muscle injury mouse model and found that Postn knockdown improved the myogenic ability of DM1 myoblasts. The activity of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway was upregulated during DM1 myogenesis but repressed when inhibiting Postn with a Postn shRNA or a POSTN-neutralizing antibody, which suggested that the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway might mediate the function of Postn in DM1 myogenesis. These results suggest that Postn is a potential therapeutical target for the treatment of myogenesis defects in DM1.

Broadband and switchable terahertz polarization converter based on graphene metasurfaces

In this work, we propose broadband and switchable terahertz (THz) polarization converters based on either graphene patch metasurface (GPMS) or its complementary structure (graphene hole metasurface, GHMS). The patch and hole are simply cross-shaped, composed of two orthogonal arms, along which plasmonic resonances mediated by Fabry-Perot cavity play a key role in polarization conversion (PC). An incidence of linear polarization will be converted to its cross-polarization (LTL) or circular polarization (LTC), as the reflected wave in the direction of two arms owning the same amplitude and π phase difference (LTL), or ±π/2 phase difference (LTC). Such requirements can be met by optimizing the width and length of two arms, thickness of dielectric layer, and Fermi level E_F of graphene. By using GPMS, LTL PC of polarization conversion ratio (PCR) over 90% is achieved in the frequency range of 2.92 THz to 6.26 THz, and by using GHMS, LTC PC of ellipticity χ ≤ -0.9 at the frequencies from 4.45 THz to 6.47 THz. By varying the Fermi level, the operating frequency can be actively tuned, and the functionality can be switched without structural modulation; for instance, GPMS supports LTL PC as E_F = 0.6 eV and LTC PC of χ ≥ 0.9 as E_F = 1.0 eV, in the frequency range of 2.69 THz to 4.19 THz. Moreover, GHMS can be optimized to sustain LTL PC and LTC PC of |χ| ≥ 0.9, in the frequency range of 4.96 THz to 6.52 THz, which indicates that the handedness of circular polarization can be further specified. The proposed polarization converters of broad bandwidth, active tunability, and switchable functionality will essentially make a significant progress in THz technology and device applications, and can be widely utilized in THz communications, sensing and spectroscopy.

miR-322/-503 rescues myoblast defects in myotonic dystrophy type 1 cell model by targeting CUG repeats

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common type of adult muscular dystrophy caused by the expanded triple-nucleotides (CUG) repeats. Myoblast in DM1 displayed many defects, including defective myoblast differentiation, ribonuclear foci, and aberrant alternative splicing. Despite many were revealed to function in DM1, microRNAs that regulated DM1 via directly targeting the expanded CUG repeats were rarely reported. Here we discovered that miR-322/-503 rescued myoblast defects in DM1 cell model by targeting the expanded CUG repeats. First, we studied the function of miR-322/-503 in normal C2C12 myoblast cells. Downregulation of miR-322/-503 significantly hindered the myoblast differentiation, while miR-322/-503 overexpression promoted the process. Next, we examined the role of miR-322/-503 in the DM1 C2C12 cell model. miR-322/-503 was downregulated in the differentiation of DM1 C2C12 cells. When we introduced ectopic miR-322/-503 expression into DM1 C2C12 cells, myoblast defects were almost fully rescued, marked by significant improvements of myoblast differentiation and repressions of ribonuclear foci formation and aberrant alternative splicing. Then we investigated the downstream mechanism of miR-322/-503 in DM1. Agreeing with our previous work, Celf1 was proven to be miR-322/-503′s target. Celf1 knockdown partially reproduced miR-322/-503′s function in rescuing DM1 C2C12 differentiation but was unable to repress ribonuclear foci, suggesting other targets of miR-322/-503 existed in the DM1 C2C12 cells. As the seed regions of miR-322 and miR-503 were complementary to the CUG repeats, we hypothesized that the CUG repeats were the target of miR-322/-503. Through expression tests, reporter assays, and colocalization staining, miR-322/-503 was proved to directly and specifically target the expanded CUG repeats in the DM1 cell model rather than the shorter ones in normal cells. Those results implied a potential therapeutic function of miR-322/-503 on DM1, which needed further investigations in the future.

Wild‑type IDH1 affects cell migration by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in primary glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of brain cancer and has the highest mortality. Dysregulated expression of wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) has been demonstrated to promote the progression of primary GBM without accumulating D-2-hydroxyglutarate, which differs from IDH1 mutation-related mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Previous studies have revealed several roles of wild-type IDH1 in primary GBM, involving proliferation and apoptosis. However, the function of IDH1 in cell migration has not been investigated. In the current study, the results of bioinformatics analysis revealed that IDH1 expression was significantly upregulated in patients with primary GBM. Wound healing and Transwell assays demonstrated that IDH1 overexpression promoted cell migration in primary GBM cells and that IDH1 knockdown hindered this process. Furthermore, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), which is the main product of IDH1-catalyzed reactions, was significantly decreased by IDH1 knockdown and upregulated by IDH1 overexpression. α-KG treatment significantly increased the migration of primary GBM cells. Additionally, RNA sequence analysis of patients with primary GBM reported significant alterations in the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway-regulated genes, including Myc, Snail family transcriptional repressor 2 and Twist-related protein 1, which are primarily cell migration regulatory factors. Western blotting revealed that the overexpression or knockdown of IDH1 promoted or inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, respectively. α-KG treatment of primary GBM cells also promoted the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, IDH1-overexpressing and α-KG-treated U87 cells were incubated with rapamycin, an mTOR-specific inhibitor, and the results revealed that rapamycin treatment reversed the increased cell migration caused by IDH1 overexpression and α-KG treatment. The results indicated that IDH1 regulated the migration of primary GBM cells by altering α-KG levels and that the function of the IDH1/α-KG axis may rely on PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway regulation.

Abstract 470: Reactivation of Fetal MicroRNAs Contribute to Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cardiomyopathies that often leads to heart failure worldwide. MicroRNAs have emerged as an integral player in regulating diverse biological processes including those in the cardiovascular system. Previously, our lab has shown that the miR-424(322)/503 cluster is highly enriched during early cardiac fate determination and drives cardiomyocyte specification. However, the expression level of miR-424(322)/503 gradually decreases in the postnatal heart. Other studies have revealed the upregulation of miR-424(322)/503 in failing human hearts. Nevertheless, the association between miR-424(322)/503 and heart disease has not been studied yet.

Methods and Results: In this study, we created transgenic mice (TG) with tetracycline-controlled cardiomyocyte-specific miR-424(322)/503 expression. The TG mice and control mice (8 weeks) were fed with doxycycline-containing chow for up to a month. During this period, the weight of the mice and cardiac function were monitored. The weight of TG mice dropped significantly while controls grew normally. Echocardiography analysis showed continuous deterioration of cardiac function starting from 2 weeks. Ejection fraction and fractional shortening (n=8) decreased to 46±1.9% and 22±1.09% at 2 weeks and 15±2.7% and 6±1.2% at 4 weeks, respectively. In addition, left ventricular internal diameter (LVID,d and LVID,s) increased from 3.64±0.098 and 2.5±0.085 to 4.2±0.2 and 3.9±0.18 respectively. Morphologically, we found the hearts of TG mice to be larger than WT mice. H and E staining revealed dilated ventricular chambers and thinning of ventricular walls in TG. Likewise, fibrosis was observed in TG hearts through Masson trichrome stain. In addition, both atrial natriuretic peptides and brain natriuretic peptides increased by >8 folds in TG hearts (n=5). The level of β-MHC was higher while α-MHC was lower in TG hearts vs control. These indicate that TG phenotype is consistent with DCM.

Conclusion: Overall, this is the first study showing that upregulated miR-424(322)/503 in the heart is sufficient to lead to DCM. This study can potentially help establish miR-424(322)/503 as a novel therapeutic target to ameliorate heart failure progression.

Splitting spoof surface plasmon polaritons to different directions with high efficiency in ultra-wideband frequencies

An efficient method to split spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) to different directions is proposed by designing a low-loss SSPP waveguide in an ultrawide frequency band. For this purpose, a coplanar-waveguide-based SSPP structure with double-row hole arrays etched on its middle line is first studied, which can be easily used to split the SSPP waves. Based on this method, a Y-shaped -3  dB SSPP power divider and its application on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer are presented. The experiment demonstrates that the proposed method splits the SSPP waves to different directions effectively in ultrawide frequencies (2.5-39.7 GHz) with good isolations, indicating that the proposed SSPP power divider can have good application on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and plasmonic integrated circuits.

Magnetoplasmon excitation and hybridization in gyroelectric cylinders

We investigate magnetoplasmon resonances and their coupling effects in gyroelectric cylinders. In individual cylinders, the dipole plasmon can be excited by plane wave illumination, and the dipole plasmon splits into lower energy and higher energy rotational magnetoplasmons in the presence of an external magnetic field. With respect to the external magnetic field, the two magnetoplasmons carry either right-handed chirality or left-handed chirality. In addition, originally dark plasmons can also be excited as the magnetic field increases. They are lower-order bulk plasmons (such as the radial breathing mode). In cylindrical dimers, the optically bright modes are combinations of magnetoplasmons with the same chirality. If the magnetic fields are antiparallel, the absorption spectra will be different for light incident from two opposite directions. This asymmetry can be well understood by carrying out eigenstate analysis, where the eigenstate does not possess mirror symmetry respecting the dimer axis. The dark modes engineering and asymmetrical optical behavior could have potential for terahertz device applications.

[Jinghuaweikang capsules combined with Quadruple therapy in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection:a multicenter,randomized,controlled,clinical study]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of Jinghuaweikang capsules combined with Quadruple therapy in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori)infection. Methods: Patients who were infected with H.pylori in 7 centers in Gansu Province were recruited in this prospective simple randomized study. All the patients are divided into four groups randomly: patients in Group A1 were treated with esomeprazole (20 mg, twice a day) + pectin bismuth (200 mg, three times a day) + amoxicillin (1 000 mg, twice a day) + clarithromycin (500 mg, twice a day), while Group A2 with Jinghuaweikang capsules(160 mg, three times a day) based on group A2, Group B1 with esomeprazole (20 mg, twice a day) + bismuth pectin (200 mg, three times a day) + amoxicillin (1 000 mg, twice a day) + furazolidone (100 mg, twice a day) and Group B2 with Jinghuaweikang capsules(160 mg, three times a day) based on group B2. The treatment time was 14 days for all 4 groups. In the course of treatment, abdominal pain, acid reflux, abdominal distension, belching, hiccups were observed at the time before treatment, 14 days and 30 days after treatment and were scored. Finally, all patients received (13)C or (14)C for H.pylori at the time of 30 days after the treatment. Result: A total of 455 patients were included in 7 hospitals from February 2016 to May 2017 in Gansu province, and there were 189 male patients. Group A1 included 129 cases, group A2 96 cases, group B1 112 cases and group B2 118 cases. The eradication rates that accorded with program data analysis (PP) were A1[46.9%(60/128)], A2[63.8%(60/94)], B1[60.7%(68/112)], B2[68.6%(81/118)] (P<0.004). Compared with group A1, the eradication rate of H.pylori in group B1 and group A2 increased (P<0.001, P=0.032), there was no statistical difference between group B2 and group A2, group B1 and group B2 (P=0.208, P=0.461). According to intentional analysis (ITT), the eradication rates of H.pylori in group A1 were 46.5% (60/129),group A2 were 62.5% (60/96),group B1 were 60.7% (68/112),and group B2 were 68.6% (81/118).The radical rate of A2 was higher than A1 (P=0.017), group B2 was not higher than group B1 (P=0.208), and there was no significant difference among the other groups. The symptoms of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, acid reflux, belching and hiccup in the group A2 and group B2 were improved than those in group A1 and group B1 (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in all groups. Conclusion: Jinghuaweikang capsules can improve the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori, and improve the symptoms of patients.

Flexibly designed spoof surface plasmon waveguide array for topological zero-mode realization

We propose a flexibly designed photonic system based on ultrathin corrugated metallic "H-bar" waveguide that supports spoof surface plasmon polariton (SPP) at microwave frequencies. Five designs were presented, in order to demonstrate flexibility according to varying height, period, core width, rotation, and shifting on the "H-bar" unit of the waveguide. The propagation constant between two hybrid designs of period and height structure was then shown in order to study the coupling effect. Next, we constructed a coupled waveguide array that followed the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. This model was constructed by a hybrid design with the identical propagation constant of each waveguide, except it had dimerized spacing. The propagation feature of topological zero mode was then observed as theoretically expected in the dimerized array. Our proposed spoof SPP waveguide array has great flexibility to be used as a powerful experiment platform, particularly in photonic simulation of the quantum or topological phenomena described by Schrödinger equation in condensed matters.

[Association between fatty liver and type 2 diabetes in the baseline population of Jinchang Cohort]

Objective: To explore the association between fatty liver and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the baseline-population of Jinchang cohort study. Methods: Data from all the participants involved in the baseline-population of Jinchang cohort study was used, to compare the risks of T2DM in fatty liver and non fatty liver groups and to explore the interaction between family history or fatty liver of diabetes and the prevalence of T2DM. Results: Among all the 46 861 participants, 10 574 were diagnosed as having fatty liver (22.56%), with the standardized rate as 20.66%. Another 3 818 participants were diagnosed as having T2DM (8.15%) with standardized rate as 6.90%. The prevalence of T2DM increased in parallel with the increase of age (trend χ(2)=2 833.671, trend P<0.001). The prevalence of T2DM in the fatty liver group was significantly higher than that in the non-fatty liver group, both in men or women and in the overall population. Compared with the group of non-fatty liver, the risks of T2DM in fatty liver group were seen 1.78 times higher in males, 2.33 times in women and 2.10 times in the overall population, after adjustment for factors as age, levels of education, smoking, drinking, physical exercise, BMI, family history of diabetes and some metabolic indicators (pressure, TC, TG, uric acid, ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyl transferase). Date from the interaction model showed that fatty liver and family history of diabetes present a positive additive interaction on T2DM (RERI=1.18, 95%CI: 0.59-1.78; AP=0.24, 95%CI: 0.14-0.34; S=1.43, 95%CI: 1.21-1.69). Conclusions: Fatty liver could significantly increase the risk of T2DM and a positive additive interaction was also observed between fatty liver and family history of diabetes on T2DM. It was important to strengthen the prevention program on T2DM, in order to effectively control the development of fatty liver.

A theoretical study on the structures and electronic and magnetic properties of new boron nitride composite nanosystems by depositing superhalogen Al13 on the surface of nanosheets/nanoribbons

Inorganic boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials possess outstanding physical and chemical characteristics, and can be considered as an excellent building block to construct new composite nanomaterials. In this work, on the basis of the first-principles computations, a new type of composite nanostructure can be constructed by depositing superhalogen Al13 on the surface of low-dimensional BN monolayer or nanoribbons (BNML/BNNRs). All these Al13-modified BN nanosystems can possess large adsorption energies, indicating that superhalogen Al13 can be stably adsorbed on the surface of these BN materials. In particular, it is revealed that independent of the chirality, ribbon width and adsorption site, introducing superhalogen Al13 can endow the BN-based composite systems with a magnetic ground state with a magnetic moment of about 1.00 μB, and effectively narrow their robust wide band gaps. These new superhalogen-Al13@BN composite nanostructures, with magnetism and an appropriate band gap, can be very promising to be applied in multifunctional nanodevices in the near future.

Host-Guest Interaction Creates Hydrogen-Evolution Electrocatalytic Active Sites in 3d Transition Metal-Intercalated Titanates

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is involved in energy-intensive water- and chlor-alkali electrolyzers, and thus, highly active and stable HER electrocatalysts in alkaline media are needed. Titanates, a family of representative two-dimensional materials with negatively charged main layers, are chemically and structurally stable under strongly basic conditions, but they have never been shown to have electrocatalytic activity for HER. Herein, we report that intercalating 3d metal cations, including Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions, into the interlayer regions of titanates yields efficient and robust electrocatalysts for the alkaline HER. The intercalation of 3d metal cations in titanates is achieved by rapid cation-exchange reaction between Na⁺-containing titanates and 3d metal cations at room temperature. Among the 3d metal-intercalated titanates we synthesize, the Co²⁺-containing material is found to show the best electrocatalytic activity. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the strong electronic interaction between 3d metal cations and negatively charged main [TiO₆]_∞ layers renders good catalytic activity to the outermost oxygen atoms in the [TiO₆]_∞ layer, further making 3d metal-intercalated titanate an efficient electrocatalyst for the HER.

[Study on the classification of dominant pathogens related to febrile respiratory syndrome, based on the method of Bayes discriminant analysis]

Objective: To understand the dominant pathogens of febrile respiratory syndrome (FRS) patients in Gansu province and to establish the Bayes discriminant function in order to identify the patients infected with the dominant pathogens. Methods: FRS patients were collected in various sentinel hospitals of Gansu province from 2009 to 2015 and the dominant pathogens were determined by describing the composition of pathogenic profile. Significant clinical variables were selected by stepwise discriminant analysis to establish the Bayes discriminant function. Results: In the detection of pathogens for FRS, both influenza virus and rhinovirus showed higher positive rates than those caused by other viruses (13.79%, 8.63%), that accounting for 54.38%, 13.73% of total viral positive patients. Most frequently detected bacteria would include Streptococcus pneumoniae, and haemophilus influenza (44.41%, 18.07%) that accounting for 66.21% and 24.55% among the bacterial positive patients. The original-validated rate of discriminant function, established by 11 clinical variables, was 73.1%, with the cross-validated rate as 70.6%. Conclusion: Influenza virus, Rhinovirus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the dominant pathogens of FRS in Gansu province. Results from the Bayes discriminant analysis showed both higher accuracy in the classification of dominant pathogens, and applicative value for FRS.

Highly Active, Nonprecious Electrocatalyst Comprising Borophene Subunits for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Developing nonprecious hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts that can work well at large current densities (e.g., at 1000 mA/cm²: a value that is relevant for practical, large-scale applications) is of great importance for realizing a viable water-splitting technology. Herein we present a combined theoretical and experimental study that leads to the identification of α-phase molybdenum diboride (α-MoB₂) comprising borophene subunits as a noble metal-free, superefficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Our theoretical finding indicates, unlike the surfaces of Pt- and MoS₂-based catalysts, those of α-MoB₂ can maintain high catalytic activity for HER even at very high hydrogen coverage and attain a high density of efficient catalytic active sites. Experiments confirm α-MoB₂ can deliver large current densities in the order of 1000 mA/cm², and also has excellent catalytic stability during HER. The theoretical and experimental results show α-MoB₂'s catalytic activity, especially at large current densities, is due to its high conductivity, large density of efficient catalytic active sites and good mass transport property.

An improved method with high sensitivity and low background in detecting low β-galactosidase expression in mouse embryos

LacZ is widely used as a reporter in studies of gene expression patterns. β-galactosidase, the product of LacZ gene, is usually detected by X-gal/FeCN staining. In X-gal/FeCN staining, β-galactosidase catalyzes X-gal to produce blue precipitates, which indicate the expression patterns of the gene of interest. A newer LacZ detection method using S-gal/TNBT is more sensitive but plagued by high background. Here, we describe an improved procedure that combines advantageous steps from the two methods. By comparing with X-gal/FeCN and S-gal/TNBT methods in detecting the expression patterns of miR-322/503 and miR-451 at a series of developmental stages, the improved method showed higher sensitivity and lower background. Thus, the improved method could be an alternative way of β-galactosidase staining in low gene expression situations.

[Evaluation of estimation of prevalence ratio using bayesian log-binomial regression model]

To evaluate the estimation of prevalence ratio (PR) by using bayesian log-binomial regression model and its application, we estimated the PR of medical care-seeking prevalence to caregivers' recognition of risk signs of diarrhea in their infants by using bayesian log-binomial regression model in Openbugs software. The results showed that caregivers' recognition of infant' s risk signs of diarrhea was associated significantly with a 13% increase of medical care-seeking. Meanwhile, we compared the differences in PR's point estimation and its interval estimation of medical care-seeking prevalence to caregivers' recognition of risk signs of diarrhea and convergence of three models (model 1: not adjusting for the covariates; model 2: adjusting for duration of caregivers' education, model 3: adjusting for distance between village and township and child month-age based on model 2) between bayesian log-binomial regression model and conventional log-binomial regression model. The results showed that all three bayesian log-binomial regression models were convergence and the estimated PRs were 1.130(95%CI: 1.005-1.265), 1.128(95%CI: 1.001-1.264) and 1.132(95%CI: 1.004-1.267), respectively. Conventional log-binomial regression model 1 and model 2 were convergence and their PRs were 1.130(95% CI: 1.055-1.206) and 1.126(95% CI: 1.051-1.203), respectively, but the model 3 was misconvergence, so COPY method was used to estimate PR, which was 1.125 (95%CI: 1.051-1.200). In addition, the point estimation and interval estimation of PRs from three bayesian log-binomial regression models differed slightly from those of PRs from conventional log-binomial regression model, but they had a good consistency in estimating PR. Therefore, bayesian log-binomial regression model can effectively estimate PR with less misconvergence and have more advantages in application compared with conventional log-binomial regression model.

Adsorbing the 3d-transition metal atoms to effectively modulate the electronic and magnetic behaviors of zigzag SiC nanoribbons

On the basis of first-principles computations, we propose a simple and effective strategy through surface-adsorbing 3d-transition metal (TM) atoms, including Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe and Co, to modulate the electronic and magnetic behaviors of zigzag SiC nanoribbons (zSiCNRs), in view of the unique d electronic structures and intrinsic magnetic moments of TM atoms. It is revealed that like applying an electric field, the adsorption of these transition metal atoms can induce an evident change in the electrostatic potential of the substrate zSiCNRs owing to the electron transfer from the TM atom to the substrate. This can break the magnetic degeneracy of zSiCNRs and solely ferromagnetic (FM) or antiferromagnetic (AFM) metallicity and even intriguing FM or AFM half-metallicity can be observed in the TM-modified zSiCNR systems. Moreover, all these modified systems can exhibit considerably large adsorption energies ranging from -0.872 eV to -4.304 eV, indicating their considerably high structural stabilities. These intriguing findings will be advantageous for promoting excellent SiC-based nanomaterials in the practical application of spintronics and multifunctional nanodevices in the near future.

[Effect of combination model on fitting cancer mortality and prediction]

Objective: To reduce the cancer burden in the Jinchang cohort and provide evidence for developing cancer prevention strategies and performing effectiveness evaluation in the Jinchang cohort. We are fitting thirteen years of cancer mortality data from the Jinchang cohort by using six kinds of predicting methods to compare relative fitness and to select good predicting methods for the prediction of cancer mortality trends. Methods: The mortality data of cancer in Jinchnag cohort from 2001-2013 were fitted using six kinds of predicting methods: dynamic series, linear regression, exponential smoothing, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, grey model (GM), and Joinpoint regression. Weight coefficients of combination models were calculated by four methods: the arithmetic average method, the variance inverse method, the mean square error inverse method, and the simple weighted average method. Results: The cancer mortality was fitted and compared by using six kinds of forecasting methods; the fitting precision of the Joinpoint linear regression had the highest accuracy (87.64%), followed by linear regression (87.32%), the dynamic series (86.99%), GM (1, 1) (86.25%), exponential smoothing (85.72%) and ARIMA (1, 0, 0) (81.98%), respectively. Prediction accuracy of the combination model derived from GM (1, 1) and linear regression (>99%) was higher than that of the combination model derived from ARIMA (1, 0, 0) and GM (1, 1). The combination model derived from the GM (1, 1) and linear regression, with weight coefficients based on the arithmetic average method and the mean square error inverse method, had the best prediction effect of the four weight calculation methods. Conclusion: Prediction accuracy of the combination model, with accuracy >95%, was higher than that of the single prediction methods.

The clinical value of hepatic extracellular volume fraction using routine multiphasic contrast-enhanced liver CT for staging liver fibrosis

AIM

To investigate the value of hepatic extracellular volume fractions (fECVs) measured using routine liver computed tomography (CT) evaluating liver fibrosis (LF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients (male:female ratio, 39:21; mean age, 42.4 years) histologically diagnosed with LF underwent routine liver CT. Absolute enhancement (in Hounsfield units) of the liver parenchyma (E_liver) and aorta (E_aorta) 3 minutes after contrast medium administration was calculated using precontrast and equilibrium phase scans. The fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV (%)=E_liver× (100 - haematocrit [%])/E_aorta. Correlation between fECV and LF stage was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The fECVs were compared between each stage of LF. The diagnostic performance of fECV was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

The difference among the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The fECVs were significantly different (p<0.05) between F0 versus F4, F1 versus F4, and F2 versus F4. The fECVs showed a significant correlation with pathological LF staging (r=0.468, p=0.001). The sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.68 for severe LF (F≥3); and 0.89 and 0.63 for cirrhosis (F=4). The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for F≥3 and F=4 were 0.757 and 0.775, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Calculation of fECV during routine contrast-enhanced liver CT may provide a non-invasive means of assessing LF.

Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy 1 in C2C12 Myoblast Cells

Myotonic dystrophy 1 (DM1) is a common form of muscular dystrophy. Although several animal models have been established for DM1, myoblast cell models are still important because they offer an efficient cellular alternative for studying cellular and molecular events. Though C2C12 myoblast cells have been widely used to study myogenesis, resistance to gene transfection, or viral transduction, hinders research in C2C12 cells. Here, we describe an optimized protocol that includes daily maintenance, transfection and transduction procedures to introduce genes into C2C12 myoblasts and the induction of myocyte differentiation. Collectively, these procedures enable best transfection/transduction efficiencies, as well as consistent differentiation outcomes. The protocol described in establishing DM1 myoblast cell models would benefit the study of myotonic dystrophy, as well as other muscular diseases.

Size-, electric-field-, and frequency-dependent third-order nonlinear optical properties of hydrogenated silicon nanoclusters

We investigated the electronic properties and second hyperpolarizabilities of hydrogenated silicon nanoclusters (H-SiNCs) by using the density functional theory method. The effects of cluster size, external electric field and incident frequency on the second hyperpolarizability were also examined, respectively. We found that small H-SiNCs exhibit large second hyperpolarizability. With the increase of the number of silicon atoms in H-SiNCs, the frontier molecular orbital energy gap decreases, attributed to the enhancement of the second hyperpolarizability. Interestingly, we also found the electric-field-induced gigantic enhancement of the second hyperpolarizability for H-SiNCs due to the change of electron density distributions. In addition, our results demonstrate a significant dependence on the frequency of incident light.

Realizing diverse electronic and magnetic properties in hybrid zigzag BNC nanoribbons via hydrogenation

By means of first-principles DFT computations, we systematically investigate the geometries, stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of fully and partially hydrogenated zigzag BNC nanoribbons (fH-zBNCNRs and pH-zBNCNRs) with interfacial N-C or B-C connections. It is revealed that in the lowest-lying configuration of hybrid fH-zBNCNRs, the constituent C and BN segments can possess respective chair and boat conformations and both of them are connected by the chair mode, independent of the N-C/B-C interface. Changing the ribbon width and the ratio of BN to C can endow these fH-zBNCNR systems with abundant electronic and magnetic properties involving nonmagnetic (NM) semiconductivity, ferromagnetic (FM) metallicity, antiferromagnetic (AFM) metallicity as well as AFM half-metallicity. Besides, manipulating the hydrogenation pattern and ratio can also result in rich electronic and magnetic behaviors in pH-zBNCNRs, where NM semiconductivity, AFM semiconductivity, AFM metallicity and even AFM spin gapless semiconductor are observed. Additionally, the origin of the magnetism in these hydrogenated zBNCNRs is analyzed in detail. Finally, all of these hydrogenated BNC structures can possess a favorable formation energy, large binding energy per hydrogen atom and high thermal stability, indicating the great possibility of their experimental realization by hydrogenating pristine zBNCNRs. These valuable insights can be advantageous for promoting hybrid BNC-based nanomaterials in the applications of spintronics and multifunctional nanodevices.

Celf1 regulates cell cycle and is partially responsible for defective myoblast differentiation in myotonic dystrophy RNA toxicity

Myotonic dystrophy is a neuromuscular disease of RNA toxicity. The disease gene DMPK harbors expanded CTG trinucleotide repeats on its 3'-UTR. The transcripts of this mutant DMPK led to misregulation of RNA-binding proteins including MBNL1 and Celf1. In myoblasts, CUG-expansion impaired terminal differentiation. In this study, we formally tested how the abundance of Celf1 regulates normal myocyte differentiation, and how Celf1 expression level mediates CUG-expansion RNA toxicity-triggered impairment of myocyte differentiation. As the results, overexpression of Celf1 largely recapitulated the defects of myocytes with CUG-expansion, by increasing myocyte cycling. Knockdown of endogenous Celf1 level led to precocious myotube formation, supporting a negative connection between Celf1 abundance and myocyte terminal differentiation. Finally, knockdown of Celf1 in myocyte with CUG-expansion led to partial rescue, by promoting cell cycle exit. Our results suggest that Celf1 plays a distinctive and negative role in terminal myocyte differentiation, which partially contribute to DM1 RNA toxicity. Targeting Celf1 may be a valid strategy in correcting DM1 muscle phenotypes, especially for congenital cases.

Trapping surface plasmon polaritons on ultrathin corrugated metallic strips in microwave frequencies

It has been demonstrated that an ultrathin uniformly corrugated metallic strip is a good plasmonic waveguide in microwave and terahertz frequencies to propagate spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with well confinement and small loss (Shen et al., PNAS 110, 40-45, 2013). Here, we propose a simple method to trap SPP waves on the ultrathin corrugated metallic strips in broad band in the microwave frequencies. By properly designing non-uniform corrugations with gradient-depth grooves, we show that the SPP waves are slowed down gradually and then reflected at pre-designed positions along the ultrathin metallic strip when the frequency varies. We design and fabricate the ultrathin gradient-corrugation metallic strip on a thin dielectric film. Both numerical simulation and measurement results validate the efficient trapping of SPP waves in broadband from 9 to 14 GHz. This proposal is a promising candidate for slow-wave devices in both microwave and terahertz regimes.

Landau renormalizations of superfluid density in the heavy-fermion superconductor CeCoIn5

The formation of heavy-fermion bands can occur by means of the conversion of a periodic array of local moments into itinerant electrons via the Kondo effect and the huge consequent Fermi-liquid renormalizations. Leggett predicted for liquid (3)He that Fermi-liquid renormalizations change in the superconducting state, leading to a temperature dependence of the London penetration depth Λ quite different from that in BCS theory. Using Leggett's theory, as modified for heavy fermions, it is possible to extract from the measured temperature dependence of Λ in high quality samples both Landau parameters F(0)(s) and F(1)(s); this has never been accomplished before. A modification of the temperature dependence of the electronic specific heat C(el), related to that of Λ, is also expected. We have carefully determined the magnitude and temperature dependence of Λ in CeCoIn(5) by muon spin relaxation rate measurements to obtain F(0)(s) = 36 ± 1 and F(1)(s) = 1.2 ± 0.3, and we find a consistent change in the temperature dependence of C(el). This, the first determination of F(1)(s) with a value ≪ F(0)(s) in a heavy-fermion compound, tests the basic assumption of the theory of heavy fermions, that the frequency dependence of the self-energy is much more important than its momentum dependence.

Electronic structure of Eu(Fe0.79Ru0.21)2As2 studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Eu(Fe(0.79)Ru(0.21))2As2 is suggested to be a nodeless superconductor based on the empirical correlation between pnictogen height (hPn) and superconducting gap behavior, in contrast to BaFe2(As(0.7)P(0.3))2 and Ba(Fe(0.65)Ru(0.35))2As2. We studied the low-lying electronic structure of Eu(Fe(0.79)Ru(0.21))2As2 with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). By photon energy dependence and polarization dependence measurements, we resolved the band structure in the three-dimensional momentum space and determined the orbital character of each band. In particular, we found that the dz2 -originated ζ band does not contribute spectral weight to the Fermi surface around Z, unlike BaFe2(As(0.7)P(0.3))2 and Ba(Fe(0.65)Ru(0.35))2As2. Since BaFe2(As(0.7)P(0.3))2 and Ba(Fe(0.65)Ru(0.35))2As2 are nodal superconductors and their hPn's are less than 1.33 Å, while the hPn of Eu(Fe(0.79)Ru(0.21))2As2 is larger than 1.33 Å, our results provide more evidence for a direct relationship between nodes, dz2 orbital character and hPn. Our results help to provide an understanding of the nodal superconductivity in iron-based superconductors.

Multiple Fano resonances in spoof localized surface plasmons

We present the occurrence of bright modes and dark modes in spoof localized surface plasmons (LSPs) generated by ultrathin corrugated metallic disks. As two such disks with asymmetric geometries are placed in close proximity, we find that dark modes (in multipoles) of one disk emerge by coupling with the bright modes (in dipoles) of the other disk. Then we further observe multiple Fano resonances due to destructive interferences of dark modes with the overlapping and broadened bright modes. These Fano line-shapes clearly exhibit the strong polarization dependence. We design and fabricate the ultrathin corrugated bi-disk structure in the microwave frequency, and the measurement results show reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions and numerical simulations. Such multiple Fano resonances could be exploited for the plasmonic devices at lower frequencies.

Measurement of an enhanced superconducting phase and a pronounced anisotropy of the energy gap of a strained FeSe single layer in FeSe/Nb:SrTiO3/KTaO3 heterostructures using photoemission spectroscopy

Single-layer FeSe films with an extremely expanded in-plane lattice constant of 3.99±0.02  Å are fabricated by epitaxially growing FeSe/Nb:SrTiO3/KTaO3 heterostructures and studied by in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Two elliptical electron pockets at the Brillouin zone corner are resolved with negligible hybridization between them, indicating that the symmetry of the low-energy electronic structure remains intact as a freestanding single-layer FeSe, although it is on a substrate. The superconducting gap closes at a record high temperature of 70 K for the iron-based superconductors. Intriguingly, the superconducting gap distribution is anisotropic but nodeless around the electron pockets, with minima at the crossings of the two pockets. Our results place strong constraints on current theories.

Polarization-independent wide-angle triple-band metamaterial absorber

We report the design, fabrication, and measurement of a microwave triple-band absorber. The compact single unit cell consists of three nested electric closed-ring resonators and a metallic ground plane separated by a dielectric layer. Simulation and experimental results show that the absorber has three distinctive absorption peaks at frequencies 4.06 GHz, 6.73 GHz, and 9.22 GHz with the absorption rates of 0.99, 0.93, and 0.95, respectively. The absorber is valid to a wide range of incident angles for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations. The triple-band absorber is a promising candidate as absorbing elements in scientific and technical applications because of its multiband absorption, polarization insensitivity, and wide-angle response.

[Influence of enteral administration of hypertonic electrolyte glucose solution on the intestinal barrier and organ functions in dogs with severe burn]

OBJECTIVE

To study the change in intestinal barrier and organ functions of burned dog after enteral administration of hypertonic electrolyte glucose solution (HEGS) in shock stage.

METHODS

Twenty-four Beagle dogs inflicted with 35% TBSA full-thickness burn were divided into no-fluid group (NF), intravenous infusion with isotonic electrolyte glucose solution (IEGS) group (II group), enteral infusion with IEGS group (EI), and enteral infusion with HEGS group (EH) according to the random number table, with 6 dogs in each group. Saline, containing 50 g/L glucose, was intravenously or enterally infused into dogs in II group and EI group respectively 0.5 hour post injury (PIH) for resuscitation. Total infusion volume within PIH 24 was 4 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) (half of the total volume was infused in the first 8 hours in a constant speed, the other half volume was infused in the rest 16 hours in a constant speed). HEGS, containing 18 g/L NaCl and 50 g/L glucose, was enterally infused into dogs in EH group. Total infusion volume within PIH 24 was 2 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1), with the same infusion speed as that in II and EI groups. Liver and kidney function indexes [activity of ALT and CK-MB, expression levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum], activity of diamine oxidase (DAO), and activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in intestinal mucosa at PIH 24 were determined.

RESULTS

ALT activity in each group was close to one another. Serum levels of creatinine and BUN in II, EI, and EH groups were significantly lower than those in NF group. CK-MB activity obviously increased at PIH 2 in every group. CK-MB activity in EH group at PIH 2 to 8 was respectively lower than that in NF and II groups. DAO activity in serum in II, EI, and EH groups decreased since PIH 4 or PIH 6, respectively from (3.9 + or - 0.6) U/L to (3.6 + or - 0.5) U/L, (4.8 + or - 0.4) U/L to (2.8 + or - 0.8) U/L, (6.4 + or - 1.8) U/L to (3.5 + or - 0.8) U/L, all were significantly lower than those in NF group [from (12.5 + or - 0.4) U/L to (9.7 + or - 1.1) U/L, comparison between EH group and NF group, t value at PIH 4, 6, 8, 24 was respectively 10.25, 12.44, 17.99, 16.21, P values all below 0.05]. The order of Na(+)-k(+)-ATPase activity in intestinal mucosa at PIH 24 in each group from high to low was II group, EH group, EI group, and NF group (comparison between former 3 groups and NF group, t value was respectively 10.09, 4.96, 8.32, F value was 26.79, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

HEGS does not cause significant harm to the barrier function of intestinal mucosa of shock dog after burn. Compared with NF, HEGS can significantly improve functions of heart, liver, and kidney, and it can achieve the same resuscitation effect as enteral or intravenous infusion of IEGS with only half of the solution volume.

[The curative effect of 1.8% hypertonic electrolyte glucose solution in enteral resuscitation of burn shock]

OBJECTIVE

To study the resuscitative effect of hypertonic electrolyte glucose solution (HEGS) in enteral resuscitation of burn shock.

METHODS

Eighteen Beagle dogs with 35% TBSA full-thickness flame injury were used in this study. They were randomized to a control group (no-fluid resuscitation, N group), a HEGS resuscitation group (H group) or an isotonic electrolyte glucose solution (IEGS) resuscitation group (I group). The solution enterally was given for resuscitation from half an hour after burn. The volumes and rates of fluid infusion in the H group were basically in accordance with 2 ml/(kg x 1%TBSA), those in the I group were basically in accordance with parkland formula [4 ml/(kg x 1%TBSA)]. The haemodynamic parameters, global end-diastolic volume index, plasma volume, osmotic pressure of plasma, intestinal absorptive rates of water and Na(+), and intestine mucosa blood flow were continuously assessed.

RESULTS

The cardiac output index, global end-diastolic volume index, plasma volume and intestine blood mucosa flow reduced markedly after burn in the three groups, and then gradually returned from 2 h after burn in two resuscitation groups, which were higher than that in the N group (P < 0.05). The activities of diamine oxidase in plasma in the two resuscitation groups were higher than that in N group (P < 0.05). The intestinal absorption rates of water and Na(+) reduced markedly after burn in two resuscitation groups with the lowest levels, and then returned from 6 h after burn. The rates of water in H group were lower than that in I group (P < 0.05); the rates of Na(+) in H group were higher than in I group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that 35%TBSA III degrees burn-injury dogs be resuscitated effectively with 1.8% hypertonic electrolyte-glucose solution by enteral, which 1/2 volume of an isotonic electrolyte glucose solution.

The chimpanzee and cynomolgus monkey erythrocyte immune adherence receptors are encoded by CR1-like genes

The human erythrocyte immune adherence (IA) receptor is the Mr 220,000 type one complement receptor, or CR1. Nonhuman primate IA receptors are comprised of a family of smaller erythrocyte complement receptors (E-CRs) of unknown origin. Recently, the Mr 65,000 baboon E-CR was identified as a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein encoded by a partially duplicated CR1 gene termed CR1-like. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic origin of the Mr 75,000 chimpanzee E-CR. Two previously identified cDNAs, an alternative splice product of CR1 termed CR1a and a chimpanzee form of CR1-like, were synthesized and amplified from chimpanzee bone marrow RNA, and transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. By SDS-PAGE, the CR1a protein had a relative mobility slightly greater than chimpanzee E-CR, whereas that of the CR1-like protein was slightly less. Affinity chromatography demonstrated that little chimpanzee CR1a bound to human C3i linked to activated thiol-Sepharose (C3i-ATS), while over 50% of both chimpanzee CR1-like and chimpanzee E-CR bound to C3i-ATS. Treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) to assess GPI linkage released E-CR from chimpanzee erythrocytes, and E-CR from cynomolgus monkey erythrocytes. Based on size, ligand-binding specificity, and PIPLC sensitivity, we conclude that the chimpanzee E-CR is encoded by the CR1-like gene. Furthermore, based on PIPLC sensitivity, the cynomolgus monkey E-CR is also likely encoded by a CR1-like sequence. Thus, CR1-like, which is a genetic element of unknown significance in humans, is the gene that encodes the erythrocyte IA receptor of many nonhuman primates.

Effects of immune complex formation and complement activation on circulating platelets in the primate

Primate platelets are different from rodent and rabbit platelets in that they do not express receptors for C3a or C5a or immune adherence receptors. This study assessed the effects of immune complex (IC)-induced complement activation on primate platelets in the circulation. Cynomolgus monkeys (CYN, N = 4) immunized to bovine gamma globulin (BGG) were infused with BGG over 5 min to induce acute intravascular IC formation and complement activation. The studies were carried out under normal complement conditions (N = 12), partial complement inhibition (CAB-2 treated, N = 3), or total complement inhibition (CVF treated, N = 1). Under normal complement conditions, BGG infusion increased C3a levels from undetectable to an average of 11.9 +/- 2.6 micrograms/ml. At this time, decreases occurring in both circulating neutrophils (85 +/- 6%) and monocytes (78 +/- 6%) were significantly greater than decreases in circulating platelets (13 +/- 3%, p < 0.001). Partial complement inhibition had an equivocal effect on the BGG-induced changes in circulating leukocytes, while total complement inhibition abrogated these changes. In contrast, platelet changes were unaffected by complement inhibition. We conclude that, compared to circulating leukocytes, circulating platelets are insensitive to intravascular complement activation induced by IC in the nonhuman primate. These results contrast with previous studies in rodents which demonstrate strong effects of IC-induced intravascular complement activation on both circulating neutrophils and platelets.

Effect of enalapril therapy on glomerular accumulation of immune complexes and mesangial matrix in experimental glomerulonephritis in the nonhuman primate

The present study is a prospective, controlled, blinded trial of enalapril therapy in experimental immune complex (IC)-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN) in the nonhuman primate (cynomolgus monkey [CYN]). Two groups of CYNs were studied: those with established GN (study A) and those in which GN was being induced (study B). In study A, 12 CYNs had GN established by 8 or 10 weeks of daily intravenous infusion of bovine gamma-globulin (BGG). These CYNs were then assigned to either 4 weeks of daily oral enalapril therapy (n = 6) or daily oral placebo therapy (n = 6). The daily BGG infusions were continued during the 4 weeks of enalapril or placebo therapy. At the start of the enalapril/placebo protocol, the two groups were similar with respect to proteinuria and level of precipitating antibody to BGG, which determined the daily BGG dose. Renal biopsy was performed in each CYN at the start and end of the 4-week period of enalapril/placebo protocol. In study B, 15 normal CYNs were immunized to BGG over a period of 4 weeks. The CYNs were then assigned to daily oral enalapril therapy (n = 8) or placebo therapy (n = 7) based on level of precipitating antibody to BGG. At this point, daily intravenous BGG was begun along with daily enalapril or placebo for 8 weeks. Renal biopsy was performed in each CYN before and at the end of this 8-week period. In study A, enalapril therapy was associated with a significant decrease in mesangial matrix volume (mean change, -27.7%; P = 0.031) and a trend toward decreased mesangial matrix deposits (mean change, -34.1%; P = 0.188). By contrast, in CYNs receiving placebo therapy, mesangial matrix volume increased compared with the enalapril group (P = 0.002) and mesangial deposits were unchanged. In study B, both the enalapril and placebo groups showed significant increases in mesangial matrix volume, mesangial deposits, mesangial cell volume, and capillary wall deposits during the 8 weeks of daily BGG infusion. However, none of the differences between the groups achieved statistical significance. Changes in mesangial cell volume and capillary wall deposits were also evaluated in study A and study B, but were not found to be different between the enalapril and placebo groups. In both study A and study B, blood pressure was lower in the enalapril groups. In conclusion, in the initial phase of IC-GN induction (0 to 8 weeks), enalapril therapy does not significantly influence the glomerular accumulation of mesangial matrix or immune deposits. However, in established IC-GN (after 8 weeks of GN induction), enalapril therapy significantly decreases the further accumulation of mesangial matrix and may decrease the further accumulation of mesangial deposits. Whether this benefit of enalapril therapy was related to lower blood pressure or to other effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition was not determined in this study.

The baboon erythrocyte complement receptor is a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked protein encoded by a homologue of the human CR1-like genetic element

The human erythrocyte CA receptor (E-CR) is the type 1 complement receptor (CR1), the most common form of which is a 220,000 Mr integral membrane glycoprotein composed of 30 short consensus repeats (SCRs). The E-CR of many nonhuman primates is a smaller receptor of unknown genetic origin. Recently, we identified a chimp cDNA, termed CR1b, which represented transcription of a homologue of the human genetic element, CR1-like. The purpose of this study was to identify CR1b in the baboon and, if present, determine whether it encodes the 65,000 Mr baboon E-CR. Baboon bone marrow cDNA was amplified by PCR using primers specific for the signal peptide-encoding region of human CR1 and the 3' region of chimp CR1b. This amplification yielded a CR1b sequence predicted to encode seven SCRs followed by a hydrophobic region, with an N terminus homologous to the N terminus of baboon E-CR. Expression of baboon CR1b yielded a membrane protein that reacted with an anti-CR1 mAb, was identical in size to baboon E-CR, and, like baboon E-CR, could bind baboon C3 linked to activated thiol-Sepharose (C3i-ATS), but not human C3i-ATS. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) released CR1b from Chinese hamster ovary cells and E-CR from baboon erythrocytes, demonstrating that both of these proteins are glycophosphatidylinositol linked to the membrane. Thus, the data indicate that baboon CR1b, a homologue of the human CR1-like genetic element, encodes a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked protein that is the baboon E-CR.

The baboon erythrocyte complement receptor is a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked protein encoded by a homologue of the human CR1-like genetic element

The human erythrocyte CA receptor (E-CR) is the type 1 complement receptor (CR1), the most common form of which is a 220,000 Mr integral membrane glycoprotein composed of 30 short consensus repeats (SCRs). The E-CR of many nonhuman primates is a smaller receptor of unknown genetic origin. Recently, we identified a chimp cDNA, termed CR1b, which represented transcription of a homologue of the human genetic element, CR1-like. The purpose of this study was to identify CR1b in the baboon and, if present, determine whether it encodes the 65,000 Mr baboon E-CR. Baboon bone marrow cDNA was amplified by PCR using primers specific for the signal peptide-encoding region of human CR1 and the 3' region of chimp CR1b. This amplification yielded a CR1b sequence predicted to encode seven SCRs followed by a hydrophobic region, with an N terminus homologous to the N terminus of baboon E-CR. Expression of baboon CR1b yielded a membrane protein that reacted with an anti-CR1 mAb, was identical in size to baboon E-CR, and, like baboon E-CR, could bind baboon C3 linked to activated thiol-Sepharose (C3i-ATS), but not human C3i-ATS. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) released CR1b from Chinese hamster ovary cells and E-CR from baboon erythrocytes, demonstrating that both of these proteins are glycophosphatidylinositol linked to the membrane. Thus, the data indicate that baboon CR1b, a homologue of the human CR1-like genetic element, encodes a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked protein that is the baboon E-CR.