Identification of a novel gene, Bryophyte Co-retained Gene 1, that has a positive role in desiccation tolerance in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

The moss Physcomitrium patens is a model system for the evolutionary study of land plants, and as such, it may contain as yet unannotated genes with functions related to the adaptation to water deficiency that was required during the water-to-land transition. In this study, we identified a novel gene, Bryophyte Co-retained Gene 1 (BCG1), in P. patens that is responsive to dehydration and rehydration. Under de- and rehydration treatments, BCG1 was significantly co-expressed with DHNA, which encodes a dehydrin (DHN). Examination of previous microarray data revealed that BCG1 is highly expressed in spores, archegonia (female reproductive organ), and mature sporophytes. In addition, the bcg1 mutant showed reduced dehydration tolerance, and this was accompanied by a relatively low level of chlorophyll content during recovery. Comprehensive transcriptomics uncovered a detailed set of regulatory processes that were affected by the disruption to BCG1. Experimental evidence showed that BCG1 might function in antioxidant activity, the abscisic acid pathway, and in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis to resist desiccation. Overall, our results provide insights into the role of a bryophyte co-retained gene in desiccation tolerance.

Mask correction method for surface plasmon lithography.

Surface plasmon lithography (SPL) has emerged as an innovative approach to nano-fabrication, offering an alternative to traditional patterning methods. To enhance its pattern fidelity in manufacturing, it is essential to incorporate mask correction to reduce critical dimension (CD) errors between the intended target features and the photoresist image. Traditionally, the aerial image of SPL has been modeled and simulated using methods such as finite difference time domain (FDTD) or rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). These models have allowed us to obtain aerial images of the mask patterns. However, relying solely on the aerial image proves insufficient for meeting the rigorous manufacturing standards for mask correction. In our research, we propose a comprehensive model that combines the optical model, employing the FDTD method, and the resist model, tailored to the specific surface plasmon lithography process. Test patterns were meticulously designed with a target CD of 130 nm, and the model was applied to simulate these test patterns, producing the after-development image (ADI) under predefined process conditions. Following a thorough analysis and data processing of the test patterns and ADI data, we established rule tables for the correction of both 1D line patterns and line end patterns. The simulation results unequivocally demonstrate the improved CD error performance achieved by the post-corrected patterns.

An outbreak of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis caused by human adenovirus type 8 in primary school, southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Two outbreaks of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) occurred successively with an interval of 5 days in two primary boarding schools in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Diqing, and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan. The aims of this study were to determine the intensity and characteristics of the outbreaks, as well as the clinical manifestations in the patients, the risk factors for infection and the pathogen responsible for the two outbreaks. METHODS: An outbreak investigation was conducted in two primary schools, and a case-control study including patients from the Weixi County Ethnic Primary School was performed. Relevant specimens were collected according to the case definition, and next-generation sequencing was employed to identify the pathogen. An epidemiological investigation method was used to analyse the related epidemiological characteristics, such as risk factors. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA 7.0. RESULTS: A total of 331 acute conjunctivitis cases, including probable cases of EKC, were reported in the two schools, and the attack rates were 30.59% (171/559, 95%CI: 26.76-34.42) and 20.41% (160/784, 95%CI: 17.58-23.24), respectively. Cases occurred in all grades and classes in both schools, and only one staff member in each school presented illness. The epidemics lasted for 54 days and 45 days, respectively. The patients had typical manifestations of EKC, such as acute onset, follicular hyperplasia, pseudomembrane formation, preauricular lymphadenopathy, corneal involvement and blurred vision, and a relatively long disease course (average 9.40 days, longest 23 days and shortest 7 days). The risk factor for infection was close contact with a patient or personal items contaminated by a patient. The pathogen responsible for the outbreaks was HAdV-8. The virus was highly similar to the 2016 HAdV-8 strain from Tibet, China. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly suggests that HAdV-8 could lead to serious consequences. This is the second report of a HAdV-8-associated EKC outbreak in mainland China. Tibetan HAdV-8 might be circulating in southwest China; therefore, it is necessary to monitor the pathogens causing acute conjunctivitis in this area.

Retraction Note: Antisense oligonucleotides targeting midkine induced apoptosis and increased chemosensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Retraction Note: Antisense oligonucleotides targeting midkine inhibit tumor growth in an in situ human hepatocellular carcinoma model.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Retargeting of forbidden-dense-alternate structures for lithography capability improvement in advanced nodes.

In advanced semiconductor technology nodes, the forbidden pitch effect induced by the destructive interference between neighboring features always leads to poor printing quality. This effect becomes more prominent when the forbidden pitch structure combines with dense pitch structures, which is called the forbidden-dense-alternate (FDA) structure. To overcome its influence on lithographic performance, the design rules can be revised at the cost of design tolerance. Another method is to optimize the source map with the risk of bringing the performance attenuation onto other patterns. This work demonstrates a retargeting method on the weak point in FDA structures. This method can improve the lithographic performance of FDA structures and allow more tolerance to the source mask optimization and design rules. As a result, more process tuning margin can be reserved for other modules, such as optical proximity correction and process integration, in order to improve the yield.

PpSARK Regulates Moss Senescence and Salt Tolerance through ABA Related Pathway.

Senescence-associated receptor-like kinase (SARK) family members in Arabidopsis, soybean, and rice are known to be positive regulators of leaf senescence. In the meantime, SARKs are extensively involved in stress response. However, their function and underlying molecular mechanism in stress responses in moss are not well known. Here, we investigated functional roles of SARK isolated from Physcomitrella patens (PpSARK) in salt stress response and senescence. PpSARK transcripts significantly accumulated under NaCl and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments, with higher expression in the moss gametophyte stage. Insertional gain-of-function mutants of PpSARK (PpSARKg) were more tolerant to salt stress and ABA than wild type (WT), whereas senescence of mutants was delayed during the protonema stage. Expression of stress-responsive genes in the ABA related pathway, such as PpABI3, PpABI5, PpPP2C, and PpLEA were significantly higher in PpSARKg and WT under salt stress conditions, suggesting that PpSARK might positively regulate salt tolerance via an ABA-related pathway. Endogenous ABA contents also increased 3-fold under salt stress conditions. These results indicate that PpSARK functions as a positive regulator in salt stress responses, while possibly functioning as a negative regulator in senescence in moss.

Polarization control in flexible interference lithography for nano-patterning of different photonic structures with optimized contrast.

Half-wave plates were introduced into an interference-lithography scheme consisting of three fibers that were arranged into a rectangular triangle. Such a flexible and compact geometry allows convenient tuning of the polarizations of both the UV laser source and each branch arm. This not only enables optimization of the contrast of the produced photonic structures with expected square lattices, but also multiplies the nano-patterning functions of a fixed design of fiber-based interference lithography. The patterns of the photonic structures can be thus tuned simply by rotating a half-wave plate.

Fiber-based flexible interference lithography for photonic nanopatterning.

Flexible interference lithography using fibers as laser beam splitting and delivering system is demonstrated. A laser beam at 325 nm is used as the ultraviolet light source. Fiber bundles consisting of two, three, or four optical fibers have been utilized for the fabrication of two-dimensional photonic structures with different lattice configurations and different periods. The effective area of the fabricated waveguide grating structures is in the scale of centimeters in diameter with excellent homogeneity, which has much space for further improvement. This flexible interference lithography technique enables simple, compact, and efficient fabrication of photonic structures.

Comparison between clear aligners and twin-block in treating class II malocclusion in children: a retrospective study.

The study herein evaluated and compared the efficacy of Clear Aligners (CA) and Twin-Block (TB) appliances as the early orthodontic treatments of developing class II division 1 malocclusion. Twenty-four patients each for CA (11.73 ± 0.33 y) and TB (11.87 ± 0.34 y) groups were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cephalometric X-rays and intraoral photos were taken for the patients after nearly 12 months of treatment. Treatment impacts were evaluated by the molar correction and overjet reduction. The vertical and sagittal changes were analyzed through cephalometric measurements. Sella-nasion-point B angle (SNB), point A-nasion-point B angle (ANB), Wits Appraisal (AO-BO) and overjet were statistically significant regarding the sagittal changes analyzed before and after the treatments in both groups, respectively. So, no significant difference was noted in the sagittal changes between CA and TB groups. However, for the vertical changes, OP (occlusal plane) angle of CA group and OP angle, AFH (anterior facial height) and PFH (posterior facial height) of TB group were statistically significant. Moreover, the Z angle and cranial facial difficulty (C.F. difficulty) were also statistically significant in both groups. Class II children with retrognathic mandible are effectively treated by employing the CA, which has almost the same impact as of TB in sagittal and vertical changes. Resultantly, the patient profile is improved. The CA and TB treatments thus minimize the subsequent treatment difficulty by reducing the C.F. difficulty.

Phase separation of the nuclear pore complex facilitates selective nuclear transport to regulate plant defense against pathogen and pest invasion.

The nuclear pore complex (NPC), the sole exchange channel between the nucleus and cytoplasm, is composed of several subcomplexes, among which the central barrier determines the permeability/selectivity of the NPC to dominate the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking essential for many important signaling events in yeast and mammals. How plant NPC central barrier controls selective transport is a crucial question remaining to be elucidated. In this study, we uncovered that phase separation of the central barrier is critical for the permeability and selectivity of plant NPC in the regulation of various biotic stresses. Phenotypic assays of nup62 mutants and complementary lines showed that NUP62 positively regulates plant defense against Botrytis cinerea, one of the world's most disastrous plant pathogens. Furthermore, in vivo imaging and in vitro biochemical evidence revealed that plant NPC central barrier undergoes phase separation to regulate selective nucleocytoplasmic transport of immune regulators, as exemplified by MPK3, essential for plant resistance to B. cinerea. Moreover, genetic analysis demonstrated that NPC phase separation plays an important role in plant defense against fungal and bacterial infection as well as insect attack. These findings reveal that phase separation of the NPC central barrier serves as an important mechanism to mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport of immune regulators and activate plant defense against a broad range of biotic stresses.

A biodegradable CO2-based polymeric antitumor nanodrug via a one-pot surfactant- and solvent-free miniemulsion preparation.

In the present study, low molecular weight poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC, Mn = 3500), a biodegradable liquid polymer easily prepared from carbon dioxide (CO2), was modified into poly(propylene carbonate)diacrylate (PPC-DA) by acylation, and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) was modified into methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (mPEG-A). Using PPC-DA as the dispersant to dissolve hydrophobic doxorubicin (DOX) and the initiator, and with mPEG-A as the co-monomer and polymerisable surfactant, a biodegradable nanodrug with excellent biocompatibility was prepared by shear emulsification polymerization without surfactants or organic solvent residues. The nanodrug can be efficiently endocytosed by tumor cells and can rapidly release doxorubicin triggered by the acidic endosomal pH. As evidenced by experiments in tumor-bearing mice, such a nanodrug is stealthy during blood circulation, and targets tumor sites with high efficiency. Moreover, this nanodrug is more effective and less toxic than free doxorubicin. This study provides a green and versatile approach for preparing biodegradable nanodrugs via a simple and efficient process. Moreover, this study extends the applications of CO2 based polymers in the biomedical field, promoting the development of CO2 polymerization fixation.

Heterologous expression of HpBHY and CrBKT increases heat tolerance in Physcomitrella patens.

Heat stress can restrict plant growth, development, and crop yield. As essential plant antioxidants, carotenoids play significant roles in plant stress resistance. ß-carotene hydroxylase (BHY) and ß-carotene ketolase (BKT), which catalyze the conversions of ß-carotene to zeaxanthin and ß-carotene to canthaxanthin, respectively, are key enzymes in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, but little is known about their potential functions in stress resistance. Here, we investigated the roles of ß-carotene hydroxylase and ß-carotene ketolase during heat stress in Physcomitrella patens through expressing a ß-carotene ketolase gene from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrBKT) and a ß-carotene hydroxylase gene from Haematococcus pluvialis (HpBHY) in the moss P. patens. In transgenic moss expressing these genes, carotenoids content increased (especially lutein content), and heat stress tolerance increased, with reduced leafy tissue necrosis. To investigate the mechanism of this heat stress resistance, we measured various physiological indicators and found a lower malondialdehyde level, higher peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and higher endogenous abscisic acid and salicylate content in the transgenic plants in response to high-temperature stress. These results demonstrate that CrBKT and HpBHY increase plant heat stress resistance through the antioxidant and damage repair metabolism, which is related to abscisic acid and salicylate signaling.

Antisense oligonucleotide targeting midkine suppresses in vivo angiogenesis.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of antisense oligonucleotide targeting midkine (MK-AS) on angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and in situ human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: An in situ human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and CAM assay were used in this experiment. The effect of MK-AS on angiogenesis was evaluated by cell proliferation assay and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. RESULTS: MK-AS significantly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in situ human HCC growth. At the same time, MK-AS suppressed the angiogenesis both in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HEPG2)-induced CAM and in situ human HCC tissues. CONCLUSION: MK-AS is an effective antiangiogenesis agent in vivo.

Enhanced therapeutic effects of combined chemotherapeutic drugs and midkine antisense oligonucleotides for hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of combined antisense oligonucleotides targeting midkine (MK-AS) and chemotherapeutic drugs [cisplatin(DDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and adriamycin (ADM)] on inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation, and to analyze the efficacy of MK-AS used in combined ADM in in situ human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with MK-AS and/or chemotherapeutic drugs mediated by Lipofectin, and cell growth activity was determined by MTS assay. An in situ HCC model was used in this experiment. MK-AS, ADM and MK-AS + ADM were given intravenously for 20 d, respectively. The animal body weight and their tumor weight were measured to assess the effect of the combined therapy in vivo. RESULTS: Combined treatment with MK-AS reduced the IC50 of DDP, 5-FU and ADM in HepG2 cells. MK-AS significantly increased the inhibition rate of DDP, 5-FU and ADM. Additionally, synergism (Q 1.15) occurred at a lower concentration of ADM, 5-FU and DDP with combined MK-AS. Combined treatment with MK-AS and ADM resulted in the more growth inhibition on in situ human HCC model compared with treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs alone. CONCLUSION: MK-AS increases the chemosensitivity in HepG2 cells and in situ human HCC model, and the combination of MK-AS and ADM has a much better in vitro and in vivo synergism.

Effect of early administration of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor on acute edematous pancreatitis in rats.

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of early administration of exogenous Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP) in rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three (n = 10): normal control group (group I), AEP group (group II) and AEP with bFGF treatment group (group III). AEP was induced by subcutaneous injection of cerulein (5.5 microg/kg and 7.5 microg/kg) at 1 h interval into rats of groups II and III. Three hours after induction of AEP, 100 microg/kg bFGF was administrated intraperitoneally for 1 h to group III rats. For test of DNA synthesis in acinar cells, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling solution was intraperitoneally injected into the rats of groups II and III 24 h after bFGF treatment. The changes in serum amylase, lipase, pancreatic tissue wet/dry ratio were detected. RESULTS: In bFGF treatment group, there was a significant decrease in the volume of serum amylase, lipase and the pancreatic wet/dry weight ratio(1383.0+/-94.6 U/L, 194.0+/-43.6 U/L, 4.32+/-0.32) compared to AEP group (3464+/-223.7 U/L, 456+/-68.7 U/L, 6.89+/-0.47) (P < 0.01), and no significant difference was found between bFGF treatment and control group (1289+/-94.0 U/L, 171+/-23.4 U/L, 4.12+/-0.26, P > 0.05). The inflammatory changes such as interstitial edema, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and vacuolization were significantly ameliorated compared to AEP group (P < 0.01). A small number of BrdU-labeled nuclei were observed in acinar cells of AEP rats (1.8+/-0.3 nuclei/microscopic field, n = 10) while diffuse BrdU-labeled nuclei were found in bFGF-treated rats (18.9+/-1.4 nuclei/microscopic field, n = 10) (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical study showed increased DNA synthesis in pancreatic acinar cells. CONCLUSION: Early administration of exogenous bFGF has significant therapeutic effect on cerulein-induced acute edematous pancreatitis in rats. Its mechanism is related to the amelioration of inflammation and facilitation of pancreatic regeneration.

Terahertz beat oscillation of plasmonic electrons interacting with femtosecond light pulses.

Plasmon resonance in nanostructured metals is in essence collective oscillation of free electrons, which is driven by optical electric fields and oscillates at nearly the same frequency as the excitation photons. This is the basic physics for the currently extensively interested topics in optical metamaterials, optical switching, and logic optical "circuits" with potential applications in optical communication and optical computation. We present here an interference effect between photons and plasmon electrons, which is observed as multi-cycle beat-oscillation. The beat frequency is in the range of 3~4 THz, which is equal to the difference between optical frequency of the photons and oscillation frequency of the plasmon electrons. Such beat oscillation evolves in a time scale of more than 1 ps, which is much longer than the optical pulse length, implying interaction between photons and pure damping plasmon-electrons. The discovered mechanisms might be important for exploring new approaches for THz generation.

[Effect of oxymatrine on serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 and its inhibitor in patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of oxymatrine on the level of serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and its inhibitor (TIMP-2) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (LC), as well as on liver fibrosis indexes as hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and IV type collagen (IV C). METHODS: Changes of all the above-mentioned indexes in patients with CHB (n = 36) and LC (n = 36) before and after treatment were determined, and the relationship of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 with liver fibrosis indexes were analyzed. RESULTS: Oxymatrine could decrease the levels of MMP-2, HA, LN and IV C in patients with severe or moderate CHB and LC of Child-pugh A, B and C grade, as compared with the data before treatment (P < 0.05). Serum level of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was well correlated with the levels of liver cirrhosis indexes. CONCLUSION: MMP-2 and TIMP-2 can be used as a reference for evaluating the degree of LC, and oxymatrine has a certain anti-LC effect.

[Analysis of sites of Toxoplasma gondii SAG2 gene in blood of HIV-positive people in Lincang City, Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily understand the genotype characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii in blood of HIV-positive persons in Lincang City, Yunnan Province. METHOD: Two segments of SAG2 gene of T. gondii from blood samples of HIV-positive persons in Lincang City were extracted and amplified by using the nested PCR method and the genotype was identified and compared with the standard strain (Type I) of Toxoplasma gondii. RESULTS: Thirty-five SAG2 genes (241 bp) and 35 SAG2 genes (221 bp) of T. gondii were amplified from 170 blood samples of the HIV-positive people, and 4 of each case were selected and digested with enzyme, then 2 aim gene fragments of each case were chosen and compared with the standard strain (Type I) of T. gondii. The digestion of SAG2 gene (241 bp) showed the genotype of the blood samples was Type I or Type II, and the digestion of SAG2 gene (221 bp) confirmed that the genotype was Type I. CONCLUSION: It is preliminarily confirmed that the genotype of T. gondii in blood of HIV-positive persons in Lincang City, Yunnan Province is Type I.