Phenomenological Constraints on the Transport Properties of QCD Matter with Data-Driven Model Averaging.

Using combined data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion and Large Hadron Colliders, we constrain the shear and bulk viscosities of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at temperatures of ∼150-350 MeV. We use Bayesian inference to translate experimental and theoretical uncertainties into probabilistic constraints for the viscosities. With Bayesian model averaging we propagate an estimate of the model uncertainty generated by the transition from hydrodynamics to hadron transport in the plasma's final evolution stage, providing the most reliable phenomenological constraints to date on the QGP viscosities.

[Effects of ambient particulate matter (PM10) on prevalence of diabetes and fasting plasma glucose].

Objective: To explore the effect of long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM10) on the prevalence of diabetes and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Methods: The subjects of the study were from the baseline population of "Jinchang Cohort", and 24 285 subjects were finally included after excluding incomplete home address information and diabetic diagnosis information. The demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health status of the survey subjects were collected through questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory tests. ArcGIS software was used to match the nearest environmental monitoring stations for each subject according to residential address. Two-year average concentrations of PM10 were calculated to estimate exposure level. The logistic regression and the multiple linear regression were conducted to assess the effects of ambient PM10 on the prevalence of diabetes and FPG. The restricted cubic spline was used to quantify the dose-response relationship. Stratified analysis and effect modification analysis were also performed. Results: The age of 24 285 participants was (49.32±8.60) years, and the BMI was (24.22±6.09) kg/m2. There were 13 950 (57.44%) males and 2 066 (8.51%) diabetic patients. After adjusting for confounders, for every 10 µg/m3 increase in the average PM10 concentration in the first two years of the survey, the prevalence of diabetes increased [OR (95%CI) =1.05 (1.01-1.09)]and the FPG level elevated [ß (95%CI) = 0.061 (0.047-0.076) mmol/L]. The results of the restricted cubic spline analysis showed a nonlinear relationship between PM10 concentration and FPG level (P<0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that female [OR (95%CI) =1.10 (1.03-1.18)], people over 50 years old [OR (95%CI) =1.06 (1.02-1.11) ], subjects with family history of diabetes [OR (95%CI) = 1.13 (1.04-1.23) ], and with hypertension [OR (95%CI) = 1.07 (1.02-1.12) ] had a stronger association between the prevalence of diabetes and PM10 exposure (all P interaction values were<0.05). The effects of PM10 on FPG were more significant in people older than 50 years[ß (95%CI) = 0.080 (0.050-0.109) mmol/L], with family history of diabetes [ß (95%CI) = 0.087 (0.036-0.137) mmol/L], and hypertension [ß (95%CI) = 0.077 (0.046-0.108) mmol/L] (all P interaction values were<0.05). Conclusions: Long-term exposure to ambient PM10 increases the diabetes prevalence and FPG. People older than 50 years old, with family history of diabetes and hypertension could be more sensitive to the effects of PM10 exposure.

Piezoelectric modulation of broadband photoresponse of flexible tellurium nanomesh photodetectors.

Flexible photodetector shows great potential applications in intelligent wearable devices, health monitoring, and biological sensing. In this work, single crystal ß-tellurium nanowires were grown on flexible muscovite by molecular beam epitaxy, constructing high-density ordered nanomesh structure. The prepared photodetectors based on tellurium nanomesh exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility, fast response in a broad range from ultraviolet to near-infrared, and good photosensitivity. We found that the flexible photodetectors with Shottky contact drastically suppressed dark current, while the response speed was lowered in comparison to the devices with ohmic contact, as holes would take a long time to tunnel through the Shottky barrier between metal and p-type Te. Moreover, the photoresponse of flexible Shottky photodetectors can be modulated by piezoelectricity of tellurium, and pronounced photocurrent increase after bending many times. Under external stress, polarization charges could tune Shottky barrier height of the metal/tellurium, resulting in variation of photocurrent. This research not only explores the broadband photoresponse and piezoelectric effect of tellurium nanomesh, but also promotes the integration and development of broadband flexible optoelectronic devices.

[Relationship between C-reactive protein level and incidence of left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and incidence of left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (LASEC) in the patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Four hundred and ninety consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency ablation for the first time from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 in the Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled. According to the results of transesophageal echocardiography before radiofrequency ablation, patients were divided into the group without LASEC (n=338) and the group with LASEC (n=152). hs-CRP was determined by latex enhanced immunoturbidimetry. The relationship between hs-CRP and LASEC in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. Results: LASEC was detected in 152 (31%) of 490 patients. Significant differences in age, type of atrial fibrillation, previous embolic events, fibrinogen, D-dimer, the left atrial anteroposterior diameter and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores were found between patients with and without LASEC (all P<0.05). Compared with the group without LASEC, the serum hs-CRP level was significantly higher in the group with LASEC (3.16 (1.30, 5.23) mg/L vs. 0.67 (0.37, 1.48) mg/L, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hs-CRP (OR=1.136, 95%CI 1.060 - 1.217, P<0.001) and D-dimer (OR=1.040, 95%CI 1.011 - 1.070, P=0.007) were independent determinants for LASEC in this patient cohort. Conclusions: hs-CRP is an independent determinant for LASEC in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Inflammation may thus be involved in the formation of prethrombotic state in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Rapid and equipment-free detection of Phytophthora capsici using lateral flow strip-based recombinase polymerase amplification assay.

Phytophthora capsici is an important oomycete pathogen that causes devastating diseases in various crops. Methods for the rapid detection of P. capsici are important for disease control and eradication programmes. Here, we developed an assay based on lateral flow strip-based recombinase polymerase amplification (LF-RPA) for the rapid and equipment-free detection of P. capsici. The specific primers and a probe were designed using the sequence of Ypt1, and the optimal assay conditions were 40°C for 20 min. The specificity of the assay was verified using closely related oomycetes and fungal species, and its detection limit was 10 pg of genomic DNA. In combination with a simple DNA extraction method, the LF-RPA assay enabled detection of P. capsici in diseased pepper samples without specialized equipment within 30 min. Consequently, the LF-RPA assay developed in this study enables rapid and equipment-free detection of P. capsici and has potential for further development as a diagnostic kit for application in the field or in resource-limited laboratories. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We developed a novel assay based on lateral flow strip-based recombinase polymerase amplification (LF-RPA) for the rapid and equipment-free detection of Phytophthora capsici. In combination with a simple DNA extraction method, the LF-RPA assay detected P. capsici in field samples without specialized equipment within 30 min. The assay has potential for further development as a diagnostic kit for application in the field or in resource-limited laboratories.

[Quantitative evaluation of image quality of megavoltage computed tomography for guiding helical tomotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively analyze image quality of two sets of phantom (CatPhan504 and Cheese) Megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) images acquired by Helical Tomotherapy with three scanning modes (Fine, Normal and Coarse), and to explore and validate a semi-automatic quality assurance procedure for MVCT images of Helical Tomotherapy. METHODS: On Helical Tomotherapy, CatPan504 and Cheese phantoms were scanned with three pitch levels (Fine, Normal, Coarse: 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm/circle) respectively. Pylinac, Matlab and Eclipse were used to calculate and compare spatial resolution, noise level and low contrast resolution of images obtained under three scanning modes respectively. The spatial resolution can be evaluated by the blurring of line-pair CT value in the images of CatPhan504's CTP528 module. The noise level can be evaluated by the integral non-uniformity in the images of Cheese's uniformity module. the low contrast resolution can be evaluated by contrast-to-noise ratio of both phantoms' plug-in module, or visibility of the region of interest (Supra-Slice) in the images of CatPhan504's CTP515 module. RESULTS: Analyses on CatPhan504's line pair module(CTP528 module) showed that the first three line pairs(the gap size are 0.500 cm, 0.250 cm and 0.167 cm respectively) could be clearly observed but blurring began to occur from the fourth line pair(the gap size is 0.125 cm) under Coarse mode. Meanwhile, the first four line pairs were all observable under the Normal and Fine modes. Integral non-integrity index(the value negatively correlated with the noise level) were 0.155 7, 0.136 8 and 0.122 9 for Coarse, Normal and Fine modes respectively. None of the Supra-Slice in CatPhan504's CTP515 module could be observed under three imaging modes. Low contrast contrast-to-noise ratio of Cheese phantom was similar under three modes and the insert visibility exhibited nearly linear growth with the increasing difference between CT average value of the insert material and background. CONCLUSION: Superiority and inferiority of three image modes in terms of the three image quality index was not consistent. Evaluation results above could provide reference for more rational decision on scanning modes selection of helical tomotherapy, which was based on image visualization demands in clinical practice. The proposed method could also provide guidance for similar image quality assessment and periodic quality assurance.

Molecular characterizations of DNA methyltransferase 3 and its roles in temperature tolerance in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean.

The Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) cryptic species is an invasive pest, distributed worldwide, with high ecological adaptability and thermotolerance. DNA methylation (a reversible chromatin modification) is one possible change that may occur within an organism subjected to environmental stress. To assess the effects of temperature stress on DNA methyltransferase 3 (Dnmt3) in MED, we cloned and sequenced BtDnmt3 and identified its functions in response to high and low temperatures. The full-length cDNA of BtDnmt3 was 3913 bp, with an open reading frame of 1962 bp, encoding a 73.89 kDa protein. In situ hybridization showed that BtDnmt3 was expressed mainly in the posterior region. BtDnmt3 messenger RNA expression levels were significantly down-regulated after exposure to heat shock and significantly up-regulated after exposure to cold shock. Furthermore, after feeding on double-stranded RNA specific for BtDnmt3, both heat resistance and cold resistance were significantly decreased, suggesting that BtDnmt3 is associated with thermal stress response and indicating a differential response to high- and low-temperature stress in MED. Together, these results highlight a potential role for DNA methylation in thermal resistance, which is a process important to successful invasion and colonization of an alien species in various environments.

The combination of vestibular impairment and congenital sensorineural hearing loss predisposes patients to ocular anomalies, including Usher syndrome.

The co-occurrence of hearing impairment and visual dysfunction is devastating. Most deaf-blind etiologies are genetically determined, the commonest being Usher syndrome (USH). While studies of the congenitally deaf population reveal a variable degree of visual problems, there are no effective ophthalmic screening guidelines. We hypothesized that children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibular impairment were at an increased risk of having USH. A retrospective chart review of 33 cochlear implants recipients for severe to profound SNHL and measured vestibular dysfunction was performed to determine the ocular phenotype. All the cases had undergone ocular examination and electroretinogram (ERG). Patients with an abnormal ERG underwent genetic testing for USH. We found an underlying ocular abnormality in 81.81% (27/33) of cases; of which 75% had refractive errors, and 50% of those patients showed visual improvement with refractive correction. A total of 14 cases (42.42%; 14/33) had generalized rod-cone dysfunction on ERG suggestive of Usher syndrome type 1, confirmed by mutational analysis. This work shows that adding vestibular impairment as a criterion for requesting an eye exam and adding the ERG to detect USH increases the chances of detecting ocular anomalies, when compared with previous literature focusing only on congenital SNHL.

[Association of asymptomatic hyperuricemia with mortality in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: This study investigated the influence of asymptomatic hyperuricemia on the prognosis of patients who had undergone elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3 452 consecutive patients , who had preoperative serum uric acid level record and were without gout, underwent elective PCIs between July 2009 and September 2011 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups based on their preoperative serum uric acid levels. The association between baseline serum uric acid levels and postoperative mortality was investigated through 1.5 years of follow up. Results: Of the 3 452 patients in the study population, 516 had elevated uric acid and 2 936 had normal uric acid.Patients in the elevated uric acid group were older, more frequently had prior history of hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction and interventional procedure, less likely to have prior history of diabetes mellitus.Other significant differences included higher white blood cell, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels; lower left ventricular ejection fraction, estimated glomerular filtration rate and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, more companied by multivessel disease, more PCI lesions, lower complete revascularization rate.More patients with elevated uric acid level were treated with ACEI/ARB and diuretics at the time of hospital discharge.The results of a multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative elevated uric acid was an independent predictive factor for mortality after adjustment for other factors (hazard ratio 3.252, 95% confidence interval 1.902-5.560, P<0.001). Conclusion: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is an independent predictive factor of mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI.

Detecting a novel Eriocheir sinensis reovirus by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

The novel Eriocheir sinensis reovirus (EsRV) is a pathogen that causes severe disease and high mortality rates in cultivated crabs. Here, we established a highly sensitive and specific rapid reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay that was cheaper and more suitable for field applications in crab aquaculture than those of traditional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The amplification was completed within 45 min under isothermal conditions at 65°C. The RT-LAMP test for EsRV had a detection limit of 15 pg, and sensitivity was 100 times greater than that of conventional RT-PCR. The LAMP primers for EsRV were not amplified by other pathogen strains, indicating good specificity. In addition to detection by electrophoresis, RT-LAMP results were detectable by visual observations of reaction tube turbidity, and calcein was added to visually detect the amplification products. These results indicate that this highly convenient, rapid and sensitive RT-LAMP assay can be used to detect EsRV-infected aquatic organisms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Tremor disease (TD) is one of the most serious diseases of Eriocheir sinensis. A novel E. sinensis reovirus (EsRV) was identified from E. sinensis afflicted with TD and caused high mortality. We developed a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay with high specificity, sensitivity and rapidity to detect EsRV, which can be used to diagnose aquatic animal diseases, particularly where expensive diagnostic instruments are not available.

[The impact of red blood cell distribution width on outcome of elective percutaneous coronary intervention in non-anemia patients].

Objective: Previous studies have revealed that the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was associated with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, they did not exclude patients with anemia. This study, thus, investigated the association between RDW and prognosis in non-anemia patients. Methods: A total of 2 732 patients underwent elective PCI from July 2009 to September 2011 were enrolled in the study. These patients were divided into two groups based on their baseline median RDW levels: low RDW group (RDW<12.1%) and high RDW group (RDW≥12.1%). All the subjects were followed up for an average period of 18 months and the associations between baseline RDW levels and postoperative mortality were analyzed. Results: Patients in the high RDW group were elder and had more women than those in low RDW group. Most of them had prior history of hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, but few of them were current smokers. Subjects in the high RDW group had higher systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, and lower erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin level, estimated glomerular filtration rate level, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Moreover, more subjects in the high RDW group were combined with left main, ostial and chronic total occlusion lesion, and had a lower complete revascularization rate. The postoperative mortality was significantly higher in the high RDW group than that in the low RDW group (2.4% vs 0.6%, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative high RDW level was an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality after adjustment of other factors (HR 3.930, 95%CI 1.600-9.656, P=0.003). Conclusion: High RDW might be a marker for the postoperative mortality in non-anemic patients undergoing elective PCI.

TNF alpha inhibits myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells through NF-κB activation and impairment of IGF-1 signaling pathway.

Cachexia or muscle wasting is a common condition that occurs in many chronic diseases. The wasting conditions are characterized by increased levels of TNF-α which was also known as cachectin in the past. But how TNF-α exerts its cachetic effects remains controversial. To clarify this issue, we investigated the impact of TNF-α on C2C12 cell myogenic differentiation. Our results demonstrate that myotube formation was completely inhibited by TNF-α when added to differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. The inhibitory effect of TNF-α on differentiation was accompanied by activation of NF-κB and down regulation of myogenin and Akt. Importantly, TNF-α's effect on differentiation was abolished when IGF-1 was added to the culture. IGF-1 treatment also inhibited NF-κB reporter activity and restored Akt levels. Our data suggest that TNF-α inhibits myogenic differentiation through NF-κB activation and impairment of IGF-1 signaling pathway. The reversal of TNF-α induced inhibition of myogenesis by IGF-1 may have significant therapeutic potential.

Output characteristics of actively Q-switched Ho:LuVO4 laser at room temperature.

A compact continuous wave (CW) and actively Q-switched (AQS) Ho:LuVO4 laser pumped by a 1.94 µm Tm: YAP laser is demonstrated. The performance of the laser was investigated by changing the output coupler. The maximum output power of 4.1 W at 2058.43 nm in CW regime is obtained at the maximum absorbed pump power of 12.3 W. The minimum pulse width of 29.3 ns was obtained at Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) of 20 kHz with the same output coupler corresponding to a peak power of 6.9 kW. The maximal output power is 4.1 W with center wavelength of 2058.43 nm at PRF of 40 kHz, corresponding to slope efficiency of 43.0% with respect to absorbed pump power. The M2 factors measured by the traveling knife-edge method are 1.04 in parallel a-axis and 1.08 in parallel c-axis with diffraction limited beam quality.

Doubly Q-switched Ho:LuAG laser with acoustic-optic modulator and Cr²âº:ZnS saturable absorber.

A doubly Q-switched (DQS) Ho:LuAG laser resonantly pumped by a 1.91-µm laser was first presented with an acoustic-optic modulator (AOM) and a Cr2+:ZnS saturable absorber. A comparison among the active Q-switched (AQS), passively Q-switched (PQS), and DQS laser performances was carried out. The maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 6 W with the central wavelength of 2100.65 nm was obtained at an incident pump power of 35.2 W. Compared with CW laser, the AQS, PQS, and DQS lasers shared the same central wavelength of 2098.34 nm under the same incident pump power. The central wavelength of the AQS and DQS lasers remained constant with the change of AOM repetition frequency (RF). When the incident pump power was 35.2 W and the AOM RF was 15 kHz, the DQS Ho:LuAG laser at a maximum RF of 2.13 kHz achieved the maximum average output power of 4.95 W. At the AOM RF of 10 kHz, the DQS Ho:LuAG laser achieved the shortest pulse width of 40.4 ns with the highest peak power of 61.5 kW. At an incident pump power of 35.2 W, the PQS Ho:LuAG laser obtained the shortest pulse width of 46.1 ns, corresponding to the RF of 2.25 kHz. Experiment results showed that the pulse width could be compressed effectively with a significant increase of peak power for a 2-µm DQS laser.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of five GhRAXs in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

The formation of axillary meristems in leaf axils is a prerequisite for the development of lateral shoots, which largely contribute to plant architecture. Several transcription factor-encoding genes, including CUC3, RAX, LAS, LOF1, and ROX, have been cloned by screening for axillary meristem mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana. These genes will facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms underlying axillary meristem development. In this study, we report the cloning of five genes from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) that are orthologous to A. thaliana REGULATORS OFAXILLARY MERISTEMS (RAX) and tomato Blind (Bl), and they are designated GhRAX1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Sequence analyses indicated that all five genes shared conserved protein domains with RAX and Bl. Phylogenetic analyses of protein sequences revealed that GhRAX2/3/4 were close to RAX1, whereas GhRAX1 and GhRAX5 were close to RAX3. Expression patterns of these genes in different tissues were also analyzed using real-time PCR.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of GhLOF genes in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Shoot branching, i.e., the timing and position of shoot growth, determines to a large extend the pattern of plant architecture, and is the result of the integration of a plant's genetic background and environmental cues. Many genes that are involved in the formation and outgrowth of axillary buds have been cloned, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. Branching pattern is an important agronomic trait in many crops, including cotton. In the present study, we cloned four genes from cotton, and designated them as GhLOF1/2/3/4. Sequence analysis revealed that all four genes shared conserved protein domains with LATERAL ORGAN FUSION (LOF) from Arabidopsis and TRIFOLIATE (Tf) from tomato. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that GhLOF3 and GhLOF4 were close to Tf because of their similar expression patterns, whereas GhLOF1 and GhLOF2 were differentially expressed.

TBLR1 is a novel prognostic marker and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Invasion and metastasis remain a critical issue in cervical cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of it in cervical cancer remains unclear. The newly discovered protein, TBLR1, plays a crucial role in regulating various key cellular functions. METHODS: In this study, western blot, real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining, 3D morphogenesis Matrigel culture, wound healing and Boyden chamber invasion assays, xenografted tumour model, luciferase assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used. RESULTS: The expression of TBLR1 in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues was significantly upregulated at both the RNA and protein levels compared with that in normal cervical cells. Statistical analysis suggested that TBLR1 as an independent prognostic factor was significantly correlated with the clinical stage, survival time and recurrence. Moreover, overexpression of TBLR1 in Hela and Siha cell lines promoted invasion in vitro and in vivo with the increases of the mesenchymal factors vimentin and fibronectin and decreases of the epithelial marker α-catenin. In contrast, RNAi-mediated knockdown of TBLR1 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and in vivo. Further study indicated that this might be mediated via the NF-κB and Wnt/ß-Catenin signalling pathway, and involve regulation of Snail and Twist. CONCLUSIONS: The TBLR1 protein may be a prognostic marker in cervical cancer and play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of human cervical cancer.

Efficient Q-switched Ho:GdVO4 laser resonantly pumped at 1942 nm.

An efficient 2 µm room-temperature Q-switched Ho:GdVO4 laser end-pumped by a 1942 nm Tm-fiber laser is demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Q-switched performance of Ho:GdVO4 crystal. A maximum CW output power of 6.85 W under the absorbed pump power of 24.1 W was obtained with a slope efficiency of 39.5% at a temperature of 17°C. With the same absorbed pump power, a maximum output energy per pulse of about 0.9 mJ and minimum pulse width of 4.7 ns were obtained at the pulsed repetition frequency (PRF) of 5 kHz, corresponding to a peak power of approximately 187.2 kW.