Observation of chiral and slow plasmons in twisted bilayer graphene.

Moiré superlattices have led to observations of exotic emergent electronic properties such as superconductivity and strong correlated states in small-rotation-angle twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG)1,2. Recently, these findings have inspired the search for new properties in moiré plasmons. Although plasmon propagation in the tBLG basal plane has been studied by near-field nano-imaging techniques3-7, the general electromagnetic character and properties of these plasmons remain elusive. Here we report the direct observation of two new plasmon modes in macroscopic tBLG with a highly ordered moiré superlattice. Using spiral structured nanoribbons of tBLG, we identify signatures of chiral plasmons that arise owing to the uncompensated Berry flux of the electron gas under optical pumping. The salient features of these chiral plasmons are shown through their dependence on optical pumping intensity and electron fillings, in conjunction with distinct resonance splitting and Faraday rotation coinciding with the spectral window of maximal Berry flux. Moreover, we also identify a slow plasmonic mode around 0.4 electronvolts, which stems from the interband transitions between the nested subbands in lattice-relaxed AB-stacked domains. This mode may open up opportunities for strong light-matter interactions within the highly sought after mid-wave infrared spectral window8. Our results unveil the new electromagnetic dynamics of small-angle tBLG and exemplify it as a unique quantum optical platform.

Colossal barocaloric effects in plastic crystals.

Refrigeration is of vital importance for modern society-for example, for food storage and air conditioning-and 25 to 30 per cent of the world's electricity is consumed for refrigeration1. Current refrigeration technology mostly involves the conventional vapour compression cycle, but the materials used in this technology are of growing environmental concern because of their large global warming potential2. As a promising alternative, refrigeration technologies based on solid-state caloric effects have been attracting attention in recent decades3-5. However, their application is restricted by the limited performance of current caloric materials, owing to small isothermal entropy changes and large driving magnetic fields. Here we report colossal barocaloric effects (CBCEs) (barocaloric effects are cooling effects of pressure-induced phase transitions) in a class of disordered solids called plastic crystals. The obtained entropy changes in a representative plastic crystal, neopentylglycol, are about 389 joules per kilogram per kelvin near room temperature. Pressure-dependent neutron scattering measurements reveal that CBCEs in plastic crystals can be attributed to the combination of extensive molecular orientational disorder, giant compressibility and highly anharmonic lattice dynamics of these materials. Our study establishes the microscopic mechanism of CBCEs in plastic crystals and paves the way to next-generation solid-state refrigeration technologies.

Real-world effectiveness of a new powered stapling system with gripping surface technology on the intraoperative clinical and economic outcomes of gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical staplers have been widely used to facilitate surgeries, and this study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of a new powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) on intraoperative outcomes of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHOD: The data were extracted from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University's (FHHMU) medical records system. Participants (N = 121 patients) were classified into the GST (n = 59) or non-GST group (n = 62), based on the use of the GST system. The intraoperative outcomes such as bleeding were assessed by reviewing video records. T-tests, Chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to compare the baseline characteristics between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for adjusting outcomes to study the effect of variables. RESULTS: Compared with the non-GST group, the GST group had significantly lower risks for intraoperative bleeding, intraoperative anastomosis intervention rate, intraoperative suture, and intraoperative pression (aORs: 0.0853 (p < 0.0001), 0.076 (p = 0.0003), 0.167 (p = 0.0012), and 0.221 (p = 0.0107), respectively). The GST group also consumed one fewer cartridge than the non-GST group (GST:5 vs non-GST: 6, p = 0.0241). CONCLUSION: The use of the GST system was associated with better intraoperative outcomes and lower cartridge consumption in Chinese real-world settings.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of peste des petits ruminants in selected districts of the northern border region of Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a world organization for animal health (WOAH) notifiable and economically important transboundary, highly communicable viral disease of small ruminants. PPR virus (PPRV) belongs to the genus Morbillivirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. AIM: The present cross-sectional epidemiological investigation was accomplished to estimate the apparent prevalence and identify the risk factors linked with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in the previously neglected northern border regions of Pakistan. METHOD: A total of 1300 samples (serum = 328; swabs = 972) from 150 flocks/herds were compiled from sheep (n = 324), goats (n = 328), cattle (n = 324), and buffaloes (n = 324) during 2020-2021 and tested using ELISA for detection of viral antibody in sera or antigen in swabs. RESULTS: An overall apparent prevalence of 38.7% (504 samples) and an estimated true prevalence (calculated by the Rogan and Gladen estimator) of 41.0% (95% CI, 38.0-44 were recorded in the target regions. The highest apparent prevalence of 53.4% (85 samples) and the true prevalence of 57.0%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were documented in the Gilgit district and the lowest apparent prevalence of 53 (25.1%) and the true prevalence of 26.0%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 19.0-33.0) was reported in the Swat district. A questionnaire was designed to collect data about associated risk factors that were put into a univariable logistic regression to decrease the non-essential assumed risk dynamics with a P-value of 0.25. ArcGIS, 10.8.1 was used to design hotspot maps and MedCalc's online statistical software was used to calculate Odds Ratio (OR). Some of the risk factors significantly different (P < 0.05) in the multivariable logistic regression were flock/herd size, farming methods, nomadic animal movement, and outbreaks of PPR. The odds of large-sized flocks/herds were 1.7 (OR = 1.79; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.034-91.80%) times more likely to be positive than small-sized. The odds of transhumance and nomadic systems were 1.1 (OR = 1.15; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.022-58.64%) and 1.0 (OR = 1.02; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.020-51.97%) times more associated to be positive than sedentary and mixed farming systems, respectively. The odds of nomadic animal movement in the area was 0.7 (OR = 0.57; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.014-38.06%) times more associated to be positive than in areas where no nomadic movement was observed. In addition, the odds of an outbreak of PPR in the area were 1.0 (OR = 1.00; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.018-46.73%) times more associated to be positive than in areas where no outbreak of PPR was observed. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that many northern regions considered endemic for PPR, large and small ruminants are kept and reared together making numerous chances for virus transmission dynamic, so a big threats of disease spread exist in the region. The results of the present study would contribute to the global goal of controlling and eradicating PPR by 2030.

Early Prone Position Ventilation in the Efficacy for Severe Hypoxemia and Neurological Complications Following Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD) Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of early prone position ventilation in the treatment of severe hypoxemia after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD). METHODS: The patients were divided into a control group and a treatment group. Parameters assessed included blood gas analysis indicators [arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2). RESULTS: (1) Blood gas analysis: Before treatment, there was no significant difference in PaO2, SpO2, and OI levels between the two groups; after treatment, the PaO2, SpO2, and OI levels in both groups significantly increased compared to pre-treatment, with a more pronounced improvement in the treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05). (2) Hemodynamics: Before treatment, there was no significant difference in MAP and HR levels between the two groups; after treatment, the MAP levels increased significantly in both groups compared to pre-treatment, while HR levels decreased significantly, with no significant difference between the groups. (3) Prognosis recovery: MV time, ICU stay, and total hospital stay were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group; the 30-day mortality rate was 14.58% in the control group and 12.50% in the treatment group, with no significant difference in 30-day mortality rate between the groups. CONCLUSION: Early prone position ventilation has shown promising application in the treatment of severe hypoxemia after TAAD surgery. Compared to traditional supine position ventilation, the use of early prone position ventilation can further improve blood gas analysis indicators in patients, and shorten MV time, ICU stay, and total hospital stay, thereby accelerating patient recovery.

Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Upregulates STING to Activate ATF6-Mediated Autophagy.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection leads to autophagy, and the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PPRV infection results in morphological changes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and activation of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) of the ER stress unfolded protein response (UPR). Knockdown of ATF6 blocked the autophagy process, suggesting ATF6 is necessary for PPRV-mediated autophagy induction. Further study showed that PPRV infection upregulates expression of the ER-anchored adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which is well-known for its pivotal roles in restricting DNA viruses. Knockdown of STING suppressed ATF6 activation and autophagy induction, implying that STING functions upstream of ATF6 to induce autophagy. Moreover, the STING-mediated autophagy response originated from the cellular pattern recognition receptor melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5). The absence of MDA5 abolished the upregulation of STING and the activation of autophagy. The deficiency of autophagy-related genes (ATG) repressed the autophagy process and PPRV replication, while it had no effect on MDA5 or STING expression. Overall, our work revealed that MDA5 works upstream of STING to activate ATF6 to induce autophagy. IMPORTANCEPPRV infection induces cellular autophagy; however, the intracellular responses and signaling mechanisms that occur upon PPRV infection are obscure, and whether innate immune responses are linked with autophagy to regulate viral replication is largely unknown. Here, we uncovered that the innate immune sensor MDA5 initiated the signaling cascade by upregulating STING, which is best known for its role in anti-DNA virus infection by inducing interferon expression. We first provide evidence that STING regulates PPRV replication by activating the ATF6 pathway of unfolded protein responses (UPRs) to induce autophagy. Our results revealed that in addition to mediating responses to foreign DNA, STING can cross talk with MDA5 to regulate the cellular stress response and autophagy induced by RNA viruses; thus, STING works as an adaptor protein for cellular stress responses and innate immune responses. Modulation of STING represents a promising approach to control both DNA and RNA viruses.

Study of SO2 measurement based on a dual optical path Fabry-Perot correlation spectroscopy.

This paper investigates a method for measuring SO2 concentration using Fabry-Perot interferometer correlation spectroscopy. In this method, the experimental system is designed as a separated beam, with the beam entering the F-P cavity at two incidence angles simultaneously to match the peak and valley positions of the SO2 absorption cross-section. The system achieves a 2σ detection limit of 28.2 ppm·m(15 cm) at a sampling frequency of 10 Hz. An outfield comparison experiment with the differential optical absorption spectroscopy method shows good agreement for the simultaneous measurement of SO2 concentration from sulfur combustion, with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.93. This study introduces a non-dispersive, highly accurate, and fast gas detection technique.

Research progress on the application of cell-free synthesis systems for enzymatic processes.

Cell-free synthesis systems can complete the transcription and translation process in vitro to produce complex proteins that are difficult to be expressed in traditional cell-based systems. Such systems also can be used for the assembly of efficient localized multienzyme cascades to synthesize products that are toxic to cells. Cell-free synthesis systems provide a simpler and faster engineering solution than living cells, allowing unprecedented design freedom. This paper reviews the latest progress on the application of cell-free synthesis systems in the field of enzymatic catalysis, including cell-free protein synthesis and cell-free metabolic engineering. In cell-free protein synthesis: complex proteins, toxic proteins, membrane proteins, and artificial proteins containing non-natural amino acids can be easily synthesized by directly controlling the reaction conditions in the cell-free system. In cell-free metabolic engineering, the synthesis of desired products can be made more specific and efficient by designing metabolic pathways and screening biocatalysts based on purified enzymes or crude extracts. Through the combination of cell-free synthesis systems and emerging technologies, such as: synthetic biology, microfluidic control, cofactor regeneration, and artificial scaffolds, we will be able to build increasingly complex biomolecule systems. In the next few years, these technologies are expected to mature and reach industrialization, providing innovative platforms for a wide range of biotechnological applications.

Clinical implications of micro lymph node metastasis for patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node size is considered as a criterion for possible lymph node metastasis in imageology. Micro lymph nodes are easily overlooked by surgeons and pathologists. This study investigated the influencing factors and prognosis of micro lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. METHODS: 191 eligible gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy from June 2016 to June 2017 in the Third Surgery Department at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Specimens were resected en bloc and the postoperative retrieval of micro lymph nodes was carried out by the operating surgeon for each lymph node station. Micro lymph nodes were submitted for pathological examination separately. According to the results of pathological results, patients were divided into the "micro-LNM (micro lymph node metastasis)" group (N = 85) and the "non micro-LNM" group (N = 106). RESULTS: The total number of lymph nodes retrieved was 10,954, of which 2998 (27.37%) were micro lymph nodes. A total of 85 (44.50%) gastric cancer patients had been proven to have micro lymph node metastasis. The mean number of micro lymph nodes retrieved was 15.7. The rate of micro lymph node metastasis was 8.1% (242/2998). Undifferentiated carcinoma (90.6% vs. 56.6%, P = 0.034) and more advanced Pathological N category (P < 0.001) were significantly related to micro lymph node metastasis. The patients with micro lymph node metastasis had a poor prognosis (HR for OS of 2.199, 95% CI = 1.335-3.622, P = 0.002). For the stage III patients, micro lymph node metastasis was associated with shorter 5-year OS (15.6% vs. 43.6%, P = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Micro lymph node metastasis is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients. Micro lymph node metastasis appears to be a supplement to N category in order to obtain more accurate pathological staging.

Quantitative analysis of acetylation in peste des petits ruminants virus-infected Vero cells.

BACKGROUND: Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is a highly contagious pathogen that strongly influences the productivity of small ruminants worldwide. Acetylation is an important post-translational modification involved in regulation of multiple biological functions. However, the extent and function of acetylation in host cells during PPRV infection remains unknown. METHODS: Dimethylation-labeling-based quantitative proteomic analysis of the acetylome of PPRV-infected Vero cells was performed. RESULTS: In total, 1068 proteins with 2641 modification sites were detected in response to PPRV infection, of which 304 differentially acetylated proteins (DAcPs) with 410 acetylated sites were identified (fold change < 0.83 or > 1.2 and P < 0.05), including 109 up-regulated and 195 down-regulated proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) classification indicated that DAcPs were mostly located in the cytoplasm (43%) and participated in cellular and metabolic processes related to binding and catalytic activity. Functional enrichment indicated that the DAcPs were involved in the minichromosome maintenance complex, unfolded protein binding, helicase activity. Only protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway was enriched. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the identified proteins further indicated that a various chaperone and ribosome processes were modulated by acetylation. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on acetylome in PPRV-infected host cell. Our findings establish an important baseline for future study on the roles of acetylation in the host response to PPRV replication and provide novel insights for understanding the molecular pathological mechanism of PPRV infection.

Pontibacter kalidii sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Kalidium foliatum.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, gliding motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated XAAS-72T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Kalidium foliatum sampled in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PR China. Cells grew at 4-45 °C, pH 5.0-8.0 and 0-8% NaCl, with optimal growth at 20-30 °C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 1-2 % NaCl. Strain XAAS-72T is closely related to members of the genus Pontibacter, namely Pontibacter korlensis CCTCC AB 206081T (97.6%) and Pontibacter flavimaris ACCC 19859T (97.2 %), and <94.6 % related to other currently described Pontibacter strains. The average nucleotide identity values between XAAS-72T and P. korlensis CCTCC AB 206081T and P. flavimaris ACCC 19859T were 77.9 and 86.9 %, respectively; the corresponding digital DNA-DNA hybridization values were 21.7 and 31.8 %. Menaquinone-7 was the predominant respiratory menaquinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and five unidentified lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 4 (containing iso-C17 : 1 I/anteiso-C17 : 1 B), summed feature 3 (containing C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c) and iso-C15 : 0. The genome length of strain XAAS-72T was 5 054 860 bp with a genomic DNA G+C content of 54.5 mol%. The phenotypic and genotypic data suggest that strain XAAS-72T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter kalidii sp. nov. is proposed. The strain is XAAS-72T (CGMCC 16594T=KCTC 72095T).

Pontibacter harenae sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a Populus euphratica forest.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and light pink-pigmented bacterium, designated XAAS-A31T, was isolated from the soil of a Populus euphratica forest located near Hotan City, Xinjiang, PR China. Polyphasic, taxonomic and phylogenomic analyses were used to determine the taxonomy position of the strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that XAAS-A31T belongs to the genus Pontibacter, family Hymenobacteraceae, and shows highest sequence similarity to Pontibacter silvestris XAAS-R86T (96.2 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (22.0 %-19.2 %) and orthologous average nucleotide identity (74.1 %-72.7 %) values relative to closest validly published Pontibacter species were lower than the recommended thresholds of 70 and 96 %, respectively. The cells grew at 4-40 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), at pH 6.5-8.5 (pH 7.0-7.5) and with 0-8% NaCl (0.5-2.0% NaCl). The main respiratory quinone of XAAS-A31T is MK-7, and the principal cellular fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3OH and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified amino-phospholipids, one unidentified glycolipid and eight unidentified lipids. The genome length of strain XAAS-A31T is 5.48 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 44.2 mol% and 4013 protein-coding genes. Phenotypic and genotypic data suggested that XAAS-A31T represents a novel Pontibacter species, for which we propose the name Pontibacter harenae sp. nov. and type strain XAAS-A31T (=CCTCC AB 2017162T=KCTC 62049T).

Regulation of proliferation and apoptosis of aging periodontal ligament cells by autophagy-related gene 7.

BACKGROUND: Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) can be applied in periodontal regeneration engineering to repair the tissue defects related to periodontitis. Theoretically, it can affect the vitality of hPDLCs that cell aging increases apoptosis and decreases autophagy. Autophagy is a highly conserved degradation mechanism, which degrades the aging and damaged intracellular organelles through autophagy lysosomes to maintain normal intracellular homeostasis. Meanwhile, autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) is a key gene that regulates the level of cellular autophagy. OBJECTIVE: This study was to explore the effects of autophagic regulation of aging hPDLCs on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. METHODS: A cell model of aging hPDLCs overexpressing and silencing ATG7 were respectively constructed by lentiviral vectors in vitro. A series of experiments was performed to confirm relevant senescence phenotype on aging hPDLCs, and to detect the effects of changes in autophagy on their proliferation and apoptosis-related factors in aging hPDLCs. RESULTS: The results showed that overexpression of ATG7 could motivate autophagy, promoting proliferation of aging hPDLCs and inhibiting apoptosis synchronously (P < 0.05). On the contrary, suppressing autophagy levels by silencing ATG7 would inhibit cell proliferation and accelerate cell senescence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ATG7 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of aging hPDLCs. Hence, autophagy may act as a target to delay senescence of hPDLCs, which can be helpful in the future in-depth study on regeneration and functionalization of periodontal supporting tissues.

Safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted distal gastrectomy (RADG) has been used in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of gastric cancer, but the research on advanced gastric cancer (AGC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not been reported. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of RADG versus laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) after NAC for AGC. METHODS: This was a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis from February 2020 and March 2022. Patients who underwent RADG or LDG for AGC (cT3-4a/N +) following NAC were enrolled and a propensity score-matched analysis was performed in a 1:1 manner. The patients were divided into RADG group and LDG group. The clinicopathological characteristics and short-term outcomes were observed. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 67 patients each in the RADG and LDG groups. RADG was associated with a lower intraoperative blood loss (35.6 vs. 118.8 ml, P = 0.014) and more retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) (50.7 vs. 39.5, P < 0.001), more extraperigastric (18.3 vs. 10.4, P < 0.001), and suprapancreatic LNs (16.33 vs. 13.70, P = 0.042). The RADG group showed lower VAS scores at postoperative 24 h (2.2 vs 3.3, P = 0.034), earlier ambulation (1.3 vs. 2.6, P = 0.011), aerofluxus time (2.2 vs. 3.6, P = 0.025), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (8.3 vs. 9.8, P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in the operative time (216.7 vs.194.7 min, P = 0.204) and postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: RADG may be a potential therapeutic option for patients with AGC after NAC considering its advantages in perioperative period compared with LDG.

Canine distemper virus N protein induces autophagy to facilitate viral replication.

BACKGROUND: Canine distemper virus (CDV) is one of the most contagious and lethal viruses known to the Canidae, with a very broad and expanding host range. Autophagy serves as a fundamental stabilizing response against pathogens, but some viruses have been able to evade or exploit it for their replication. However, the effect of autophagy mechanisms on CDV infection is still unclear. RESULTS: In the present study, autophagy was induced in CDV-infected Vero cells as demonstrated by elevated LC3-II levels and aggregation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 spots. Furthermore, CDV promoted the complete autophagic process, which could be determined by the degradation of p62, co-localization of LC3 with lysosomes, GFP degradation, and accumulation of LC3-II and p62 due to the lysosomal protease inhibitor E64d. In addition, the use of Rapamycin to promote autophagy promoted CDV replication, and the inhibition of autophagy by Wortmannin, Chloroquine and siRNA-ATG5 inhibited CDV replication, revealing that CDV-induced autophagy facilitated virus replication. We also found that UV-inactivated CDV still induced autophagy, and that nucleocapsid (N) protein was able to induce complete autophagy in an mTOR-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This study for the first time revealed that CDV N protein induced complete autophagy to facilitate viral replication.

Strepolyketide D, a new SEK15-derived polyketide compound from salt-lake-derived Streptomyces sp. DBC5.

A new SEK15-derived polyketide compound, strepolyketide D (1), was isolated from salt-lake-derived Streptomyces sp. DBC5, together with two known analogues (2-3). Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analysis of IR, MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR. Compound 2 elicited moderate antioxidation with IC50 value of 39.26 µg/ml. The results of the study revealed that salt-lake actinomycetes of Lake Dabancheng appear to have immense potential as a source of polyketide compounds.

Colossal Room-Temperature Ferroelectric Polarizations in SrTiO3/SrRuO3 Superlattices Induced by Oxygen Vacancies.

Artificial superlattices have demonstrated many unique phenomena not found in bulk materials. For this investigation, SrTiO3/SrRuO3 paraelectric/metallic superlattices with various stacking periods were synthesized via pulsed laser deposition. A robust room-temperature ferroelectric polarization (∼46 µC/cm2) was found in the superlattices with 2 unit cell (u.c.) thick SrRuO3 layers, despite the fact that neither SrTiO3 nor SrRuO3 is inherently ferroelectric. Results obtained from atomically resolved elemental mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified that oxygen vacancies accumulated at the SrTiO3/SrRuO3 interfaces, causing lattice distortions and increased tetragonality (c/a). The observed ferroelectric responses can be mainly attributed to the broken spatial inversion symmetry induced by the ordered distribution of oxygen vacancies at the SrTiO3/SrRuO3 interfaces, coupled with the triggering of external electric field. The resulting polarization mechanism induced by oxygen vacancies suggests viable ways for improving the electrical properties of ferroelectric materials, with the goal of expanding the functionality of a range of electronic devices.

Two-Dimensional Room-Temperature Magnetic Nonstoichiometric Fe7Se8 Nanocrystals: Controllable Synthesis and Magnetic Behavior.

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials have attracted significant attention for promising applications in energy-saving logic and robust memory devices. However, most 2D magnets discovered so far typically feature drawbacks for practical applications due to low critical temperatures. Herein, we synthesize ultrathin room-temperature (RT) magnetic Fe7Se8 nanoflakes via the space-confined chemical vapor deposition method. It is found that the appropriate supply and control of Se concentration in the reaction chamber is crucial for synthesizing high-quality nonstoichiometric Fe7Se8 nanoflakes. Cryogenic electrical and magnetic characterizations reveal the emergence of spin reorientation at ∼130 K and the survival of long-range magnetic ordering up to room temperature. The RT magnetic domain structures with different thicknesses are also uncovered by magnetic force microscopy. Moreover, theoretical calculations confirm the spin configuration and metallic band structure. The outstanding characteristics exhibited by Fe7Se8 nanoflakes, including RT magnetism, spin reorientation property, and good electrical conductivity, make them a potential candidate for RT spintronics.

Scalable and Versatile Transfer of Sensitive Two-dimensional Materials.

Damage-free transfer of large-area two-dimensional (2D) materials is indispensable to unleash their full potentials in a wide range of electronic, photonic, and biochemical applications. However, the all-surface nature of 2D materials renders many of them vulnerable to surrounding environments, especially etchants and water involved during wet transfer process. Up to now, a scalable and damage-free transfer method for sensitive 2D materials is still lacking. Here, we report a general damage-free transfer method for sensitive 2D materials. The as-transferred 2D materials exhibit well-preserved structural integrity and unaltered physical properties. We further develop a facile TEM sample preparation technique that allows direct recycling of materials on TEM grids with high fidelity. This recycling technique provides an unprecedented opportunity to precisely relate structural characterization with physical/chemical/electrical probing for the same samples. This method can be readily generalized to diverse nanomaterials for large-area damage-free transfer and enables in-depth investigation of structure-property relationship.

IL-10 Promotes CXCL13 Expression in Macrophages Following Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most contagious livestock diseases in the world, posing a constant global threat to the animal trade and national economies. The chemokine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), a biomarker for predicting disease progression in some diseases, was recently found to be increased in sera from mice infected with FMD virus (FMDV) and to be associated with the progression and severity of the disease. However, it has not yet been determined which cells are involved in producing CXCL13 and the signaling pathways controlling CXCL13 expression in these cells. In this study, the expression of CXCL13 was found in macrophages and T cells from mice infected with FMDV, and CXCL13 was produced in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) by activating the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and JAK/STAT pathways following FMDV infection. Interestingly, CXCL13 concentration was decreased in sera from interleukin-10 knock out (IL-10-/-) mice or mice blocked IL-10/IL-10R signaling in vivo after FMDV infection. Furthermore, CXCL13 was also decreased in IL-10-/- BMDMs and BMDMs treated with anti-IL-10R antibody following FMDV infection in vitro. Lastly, it was demonstrated that IL-10 regulated CXCL13 expression via JAK/STAT rather than the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, the study demonstrated for the first time that macrophages and T cells were the cellular sources of CXCL13 in mice infected with FMDV; CXCL13 was produced in BMDMs via NF-κB and JAK/STAT pathways; and IL-10 promoted CXCL13 expression in BMDMs via the JAK/STAT pathway.