An Approach of Vibration Compensation for Atomic Gravimeter under Complex Vibration Environment.

Atomic gravimeter has been more frequently applied under complex and dynamic environments, but its measurement accuracy is seriously hampered by vibration-induced noise. In this case, vibration compensation provides a way to enhance the accuracy of gravity measurements by correcting the phase noise that resulted from the vibration of a Raman reflector, and improving the fitting of an interference fringe. An accurate estimation of the transfer function of vibration between the Raman reflector and the sensor plays a significant role in optimizing the effect of vibration compensation. For this reason, a vibration compensation approach was explored based on EO (equilibrium optimizer) for estimating the transfer function simplified model of a Raman reflector, and it was used to correct the interference fringe of an atomic gravimeter. The test results revealed that this approach greatly restored the actual vibration of the Raman reflector in a complex vibration environment. With a vibration compensation algorithm, it achieved the correction and fitting of the original interference fringe. In general, it dramatically reduced the RMSE (root mean square error) at the time of fitting and significantly improved the residual error in the gravity measurement. Compared with other conventional algorithms, such as GA (genetic algorithm) and PSO (particle swarm optimization), this approach realized a faster convergence and better optimization, so as to ensure more accurate gravity measurements. The study of this vibration compensation approach could provide a reference for the application of an atomic gravimeter in a wider and more complex environment.

The major component of cinnamon oil as a natural substitute against Fusarium solani on Astragalus membranaceus.

AIMS: Root rot caused by Fusarium solani is an important disease seriously affecting the yield and quality of Astragalus membranaceus. Therefore, this study was performed to elucidate the antifungal activities and mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde treatment against F. solani and its control effect for A. membranaceus root rot. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cinnamaldehyde significantly inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of F. solani in dose-dependent, and the median effective concentration was 178.68 µl l-1 . Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy, propidium iodide staining, cell leakage experiments and ergosterol quantitation illuminated that cinnamaldehyde could alter the mycelial morphology, damage the plasma membrane and hinder the biosynthesis of ergosterol. Besides, cinnamaldehyde induced the generation of reactive oxygen species by synergistically upregulating the genes encoded subunits for NADPH oxidase. The disease suppression efficacy of 600 µl l-1 cinnamaldehyde against A. membranaceus root rot was 92.98 ± 6.08% (p < 0.05) under greenhouse conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study proved that cinnamaldehyde could markedly inhibit the growth of F. solani in vitro and effectively suppress the occurrence of A. membranaceus root rot, perhaps by inducing oxidative damage, which results in the distortion of F. solani, and the destruction of cell membrane integrity and permeability. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study first explores the antifungal mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde against F. solani in vivo and vitro, thereby providing a promising candidate for disease biocontrol.

Integrated Analysis of Microarray, Small RNA, and Degradome Datasets Uncovers the Role of MicroRNAs in Temperature-Sensitive Genic Male Sterility in Wheat.

Temperature-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line Beijing Sterility 366 (BS366) has been utilized in hybrid breeding for a long time, but the molecular mechanism underlying male sterility remains unclear. Expression arrays, small RNA, and degradome sequencing were used in this study to explore the potential role of miRNA in the cold-induced male sterility of BS366. Microspore observation showed defective cell plates in dyads and tetrads and shrunken microspores at the vacuolated stage. Differential regulation of Golgi vesicle transport, phragmoplast formation, sporopollenin biosynthesis, pollen exine formation, and lipid metabolism were observed between cold and control conditions. Pollen development was significantly represented in the 352 antagonistic miRNA-target pairs in the integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA profiles. The specific cleavage of ARF17 and TIR1 by miR160 and miR393 were found in the cold-treated BS366 degradome, respectively. Thus, the cold-mediated miRNAs impaired cell plate formation through repression of Golgi vesicle transport and phragmoplast formation. The repressed expression of ARF17 and TIR1 impaired pollen exine formation. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the roles of miRNAs in male sterility in wheat.

Comprehensive analyses of the annexin gene family in wheat.

BACKGROUND: Annexins are an evolutionarily conserved multigene family of calcium-dependent phospholipid binding proteins that play important roles in stress resistance and plant development. They have been relatively well characterized in model plants Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa), but nothing has been reported in hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barely (Hordeum vulgare), which are the two most economically important plants. RESULTS: Based on available genomic and transcriptomic data, 25 and 11 putative annexin genes were found through in silico analysis in wheat and barley, respectively. Additionally, eight and 11 annexin genes were identified from the draft genome sequences of Triticum urartu and Aegilops tauschii, progenitor for the A and D genome of wheat, respectively. By phylogenetic analysis, annexins in these four species together with other monocots and eudicots were classified into six different orthologous groups. Pi values of each of Ann1-12 genes among T. aestivum, T. urartu, A. tauschii and H. vulgare species was very low, with the exception of Ann2 and Ann5 genes. Ann2 gene has been under positive selection, but Ann6 and Ann7 have been under purifying selection among the four species in their evolutionary histories. The nucleotide diversities of Ann1-12 genes in the four species were 0.52065, 0.59239, 0.60691 and 0.53421, respectively. No selective pressure was operated on annexin genes in the same species. Gene expression patterns obtained by real-time PCR and re-analyzing the public microarray data revealed differential temporal and spatial regulation of annexin genes in wheat under different abiotic stress conditions such as salinity, drought, cold and abscisic acid. Among those genes, TaAnn10 is specifically expressed in the anther but fails to be induced by low temperature in thermosensitive genic male sterile lines, suggesting that specific down-regulation of TaAnn10 is associated with conditional male sterility in wheat. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzed the size and composition of the annexin gene family in wheat and barley, and investigated differential tissue-specific and stress responsive expression profiles of the gene family in wheat. These results provided significant information for understanding the diverse roles of plant annexins and opened a new avenue for functional studies of cold induced male sterility in wheat.

Massive malignant phyllodes tumor accompanied by anemia and ulceration in the breast: A case report.

Large malignant breast phyllodes tumors are uncommon in clinical settings. Here, we report such a case to provide a reference for clinical work. A 48-year-old woman identified a lump in her right breast, which eventually grew up to 25 cm × 10 cm and began to rapidly bleed and ulcerate within 3 months. The patient had visible signs of anemia and significant emaciation as a result of the tumor's wasting effect and the protracted course of the disease. The patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy on the right breast. The pathology results obtained after surgery revealed a malignant phyllodes tumor. No adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, was administered. The patient had no symptoms of tumor recurrence and complications from the surgery after a follow-up of 9 months.

Clinical features of patients with MOG-IgG associated disorders and analysis of the relationship between fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and the severity at disease onset.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the differences in clinical features between pediatric and adult patients with first-episode MOG-IgG associated disorders (MOGAD) and evaluate the relationship between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) and the severity of neurological deficits at disease onset. Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed biochemical test results, imaging characteristics, clinical manifestations, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, and FAR. The Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between FAR and severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was to analyze the predictive ability of FAR for the severity of neurological deficits. Results: Fever (50.0%), headache (36.1%), and blurred vision (27.8%) were the most common clinical manifestations in the pediatric group (<18 years old). However, in the adult group (≥18 years old), the most common symptoms were blurred vision (45.7%), paralysis (37.0%), and paresthesia (32.6%). Fever was more common in the pediatric group, while paresthesia was more common in the adult patients, with all differences statistically significant (P < 0.05). The most frequent clinical phenotype in the pediatric group was acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM; 41.7%), whereas optic neuritis (ON; 32.6%) and transverse myelitis (TM; 26.1%) were more common in the adult group. The differences in clinical phenotype between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In both pediatric and adult patients, cortical/subcortical and brainstem lesions were the most common lesions on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereas, for spinal MRI, cervical and thoracic spinal cord lesions were the most commonly observed. According to binary logistic regression analysis, FAR was an independent risk factor for the severity of neurological deficits (odds ratio = 1.717; 95% confidence interval = 1.191-2.477; P = 0.004). FAR (r = 0.359, P = 0.001) was positively correlated with the initial EDSS score. The area under the ROC curve was 0.749. Conclusion: The current study found age-dependent phenotypes in MOGAD patients as ADEM was more commonly observed in patients < 18 years old, while ON and TM were more frequently found in patients ≥18 years old. A high FAR level was an independent indicator for more severe neurological deficits at disease onset in patients with a first episode of MOGAD.

Characterization and evolutionary analysis of phosphate starvation response genes in wheat and other major gramineous plants.

Developing cultivars with improved Pi use efficiency is essential for the sustainability of agriculture as well as the environment. Phosphate starvation response (PHR) regulators have not yet been systematically studied in wheat. This study provides the detailed characteristics of PHRs in hexaploid wheat as well as other major gramineous plants at the genome-wide level. The identified PHR proteins were divided into six subfamilies through phylogeny analysis, and a total of 63 paralogous TaPHR pairs were designated as arising from duplication events, with strong purifying selection. The promoters of TaPHRs were identified as stations for many transcription factors. Protein-protein interaction network and gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated a core biological process of cellular response to phosphate starvation. The three-dimensional structures of core PHR proteins showed a high phylogenetic relationship, but amino acid deletions in core protein domains may cause functional differentiation between rice and wheat. TaPHR3 could interact with TaSPX1 and TaSPX5 proteins, which is regarded as a novel interaction mode. Under different Pi gradient treatments, TaPHRs showed low inducible expression patterns among all subfamilies. Our study is the first to comprehensively clarify the basic properties of TaPHR proteins and might accumulate basic data for improving grain yield and environmental homeostasis.

Corrigendum: Mutations in FIGLA associated with premature ovarian insufficiency in a Chinese population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.714306.].

The Central Circadian Clock Protein TaCCA1 Regulates Seedling Growth and Spike Development in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The biological functions of the circadian clock on growth and development have been well elucidated in model plants, while its regulatory roles in crop species, especially the roles on yield-related traits, are poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the core clock gene CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) homoeologs in wheat and studied their biological functions in seedling growth and spike development. TaCCA1 homoeologs exhibit typical diurnal expression patterns, which are positively regulated by rhythmic histone modifications including histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9Ac), and histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3). TaCCA1s are preferentially located in the nucleus and tend to form both homo- and heterodimers. TaCCA1 overexpression (TaCCA1-OE) transgenic wheat plants show disrupted circadian rhythmicity coupling with reduced chlorophyll and starch content, as well as biomass at seedling stage, also decreased spike length, grain number per spike, and grain size at the ripening stage. Further studies using DNA affinity purification followed by deep sequencing [DNA affinity purification and sequencing (DAP-seq)] indicated that TaCCA1 preferentially binds to sequences similarly to "evening elements" (EE) motif in the wheat genome, particularly genes associated with photosynthesis, carbon utilization, and auxin homeostasis, and decreased transcriptional levels of these target genes are observed in TaCCA1-OE transgenic wheat plants. Collectively, our study provides novel insights into a circadian-mediated mechanism of gene regulation to coordinate photosynthetic and metabolic activities in wheat, which is important for optimal plant growth and crop yield formation.

Effective oil-water mixture separation and photocatalytic dye decontamination through nickel-dimethylglyoxime microtubes coated superhydrophobic and superoleophilic films.

Oils and solvable organic pollutants in wastewater demand separations of the components along with efficient photocatalysis in water treatment. Herein, we report on a practical purification strategy by using the multifunctional nickel-dimethylglyoxime [Ni(DMG)2] microtubes to separate the liquid mixture and degrade organic pollutants. The self-assembled [Ni(DMG)2] tubes was synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method. The static contact angle of the film prepared by mixing [Ni(DMG)2] powder (1 : 2 wt%) into polydimethylsilicone (PDMS) to water can reach 161.3°, which can still remain superhydrophobic but oil-friendly under corrosion conditions. PDMS imparts good mechanical properties and serves as both the adhesive and hydrophobic material. PFOTS methanol solution contains a large number of low surface energy groups, which can reduce the surface free energy of [Ni(DMG)2] rough structure. The superhydrophobic rough surface prepared by hollow micron tubular [Ni(DMG)2] samples must have both low surface energy substance and hollow micron tubular morphology. Due to the unique wettability, oil and water were efficiently separated from the oil-water mixture through the films. The coated film itself is photocatalytic in degrading quinoline blue, rhodamine B, methyl orange and methylene blue. By using the film's multifunctionality, a practical wastewater treatment was realized via water-oil separation, followed by fast photocatalytic degradation of solvable dyes.

Systemic Corticosteroid Administration in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outcomes: An Umbrella Meta-Analysis Incorporating Both Mild and Pulmonary Fibrosis-Manifested Severe Disease.

Background: Effective treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are urgently needed. The real role of corticosteroid use in COVID-19 has long been of interest and is disputable. Methods: We aimed to quantitatively reevaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids on COVID-19. Databases were searched for eligible meta-analyses/systematic reviews with available outcome data. For each association, we estimated the summary effect size with fixed- and random-effects models, 95% confidence intervals, and 95% prediction intervals. Heterogeneity, Egger's test, evidence of small-study effects and excess significance bias, and subgroup analyses were rigorously evaluated. Results: Intended outcomes of 12 eligible studies were mortality, clinical improvement, hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV), adverse events (AEs), intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay, virus clearance time (VCT), and negative conversion. Corticosteroid administration was associated with a 27% risk reduction in MV [hazard ratio (HR): 0.73 (0.64-0.83)] and a 20% reduction in mortality of critically ill/severe COVID-19 patients [HR: 0.80 (0.65-0.98)]. Interestingly, shorter ICU stays and, conversely, potentially longer hospital stays, a longer VCT, and a longer time to negative conversion were associated with corticosteroid use. There was no significant impact of different corticosteroid doses on mortality. Only one study showed slightly excess significant bias. Caution should be applied given the weak nature of the evidence, and it has been confirmed by sensitivity analyses too. Conclusion: This umbrella study found benefits from corticosteroids on MV and especially the mortality of critically ill/severe patients with shorter ICU stays but prolonged hospital stays and VCT. The benefits and harms should be reevaluated and balanced before corticosteroids are cautiously prescribed in clinical practice.

Facile synthetic routes for photocatalytic Pb3(BTC)2·H2O coordination polymers.

Herein, we report on the successful synthesis of photocatalytic Pb3(BTC)2·H2O polymers via different methods including the surfactant-assisted hydrothermal method, ultrasonic method and reflux method. As the crystal growth is subjected to preparation atmosphere, changes in reaction conditions do not alter the crystal structures of products, but vary their morphology. High ultraviolet-light-driven photocatalytic abilities are attributed to the stable Pb3(BTC)2·H2O, and the effective productions of h+ and ˙OH on the catalysts.

miR-210-3p Promotes Lung Cancer Development and Progression by Modulating USF1 and PCGF3.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer represents one of the most frequent solid tumors. Adenocarcinoma is a common type of tumor and a significant threat to individual health globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as critical governors of gene expression during carcinogenesis, while their effects on lung cancer occurrence and development are required for further investigation. Herein, the functional role of miR-210-3p and its regulation mechanism were characterized in lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 50 pairs of tumor and tumor-free lung tissues were surgically resected from lung cancer patients. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were performed to examine USF1 binding with miR-210-3p and PCGF3. Cultured human lung cancer cells A549 were assayed for viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro by CCK-8 test, flow cytometry, transwell chamber assays, tumorigenesis, and lymph node metastasis in vivo by mouse xenograft experiments. RESULTS: miR-210-3p was upregulated in lung cancer tissues. The inhibition of miR-210-3p by specific inhibitor tempered lung cancer development and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. miR-210-3p targeted USF1 and inhibited its expression. USF1 was bound with PCGF3, which increased its transcription. PCGF3-specific knockdown mimicked the effect of miR-210-3p on lung cancer development and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that miR-210-3p facilitates lung cancer development and metastasis by impairing USF1-mediated promotion of PCGF3, which provides a better understanding of the mechanism of lung cancer development and metastasis.

Mutations in FIGLA Associated With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in a Chinese Population.

Objective: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the most common reproductive endocrinological causes of infertility in women of child-bearing age. The purpose of this study was to identify FIGLA gene mutations in Chinese patients with POI and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 113 patients with idiopathic POI and 100 healthy controls were recruited for the analysis of FIGLA variants. Based on the identification of common mutations in the FIGLA, wild-type and mutant plasmids were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. Luciferase reporter genes were used to determine the effect of wild-type and mutant FIGLA genotypes on the transcriptional activity of its downstream targets, the zona pellucida glycoprotein genes ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to determine the level of binding between wild-type and mutant FIGLA with the ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 promoters. Results: Three different FIGLA mutations were identified in four patients with POI. Two patients carried the mutation c.11C>A (p.A4E), and the other two patients, respectively, carried the mutations c.625G>A (p.V209I) and c.84C>A (p.D28E). The luciferase reporter assay indicated that ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 transcriptional activities were significantly reduced in individuals with FIGLA mutations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that the FIGLA mutation significantly decreased binding with the ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 promoters. Conclusion: FIGLA mutation affects gene transcriptional regulation of its downstream target genes ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3, highlighting a new candidate genetic factor that causes POI. Our study demonstrates that FIGLA has a regulatory effect on reproduction-specific genes, thereby providing a basis for elucidating the specific regulatory mechanism of FIGLA in germ cell growth and development.

Allopolyploid speciation and ongoing backcrossing between diploid progenitor and tetraploid progeny lineages in the Achillea millefolium species complex: analyses of single-copy nuclear genes and genomic AFLP.

BACKGROUND: In the flowering plants, many polyploid species complexes display evolutionary radiation. This could be facilitated by gene flow between otherwise separate evolutionary lineages in contact zones. Achillea collina is a widespread tetraploid species within the Achillea millefolium polyploid complex (Asteraceae-Anthemideae). It is morphologically intermediate between the relic diploids, A. setacea-2x in xeric and A. asplenifolia-2x in humid habitats, and often grows in close contact with either of them. By analyzing DNA sequences of two single-copy nuclear genes and the genomic AFLP data, we assess the allopolyploid origin of A. collina-4x from ancestors corresponding to A. setacea-2x and A. asplenifolia-2x, and the ongoing backcross introgression between these diploid progenitor and tetraploid progeny lineages. RESULTS: In both the ncpGS and the PgiC gene tree, haplotype sequences of the diploid A. setacea-2x and A. asplenifolia-2x group into two clades corresponding to the two species, though lineage sorting seems incomplete for the PgiC gene. In contrast, A. collina-4x and its suspected backcross plants show homeologous gene copies: sequences from the same tetraploid individual plant are placed in both diploid clades. Semi-congruent splits of an AFLP Neighbor Net link not only A. collina-4x to both diploid species, but some 4x individuals in a polymorphic population with mixed ploidy levels to A. setacea-2x on one hand and to A. collina-4x on the other, indicating allopolyploid speciation as well as hybridization across ploidal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study clearly demonstrate the hybrid origin of Achillea collina-4x, the ongoing backcrossing between the diploid progenitor and their tetraploid progeny lineages. Such repeated hybridizations are likely the cause of the great genetic and phenotypic variation and ecological differentiation of the polyploid taxa in Achillea millefolium agg.