Multiple Origins and Genomic Basis of Complex Traits in Sighthounds.

Sighthounds, a distinctive group of hounds comprising numerous breeds, have their origins rooted in ancient artificial selection of dogs. In this study, we performed genome sequencing for 123 sighthounds, including one breed from Africa, six breeds from Europe, two breeds from Russia, and four breeds and 12 village dogs from the Middle East. We gathered public genome data of five sighthounds and 98 other dogs as well as 31 gray wolves to pinpoint the origin and genes influencing the morphology of the sighthound genome. Population genomic analysis suggested that sighthounds originated from native dogs independently and were comprehensively admixed among breeds, supporting the multiple origins hypothesis of sighthounds. An additional 67 published ancient wolf genomes were added for gene flow detection. Results showed dramatic admixture of ancient wolves in African sighthounds, even more than with modern wolves. Whole-genome scan analysis identified 17 positively selected genes (PSGs) in the African population, 27 PSGs in the European population, and 54 PSGs in the Middle Eastern population. None of the PSGs overlapped in the three populations. Pooled PSGs of the three populations were significantly enriched in "regulation of release of sequestered calcium ion into cytosol" (gene ontology: 0051279), which is related to blood circulation and heart contraction. In addition, ESR1, JAK2, ADRB1, PRKCE, and CAMK2D were under positive selection in all three selected groups. This suggests that different PSGs in the same pathway contributed to the similar phenotype of sighthounds. We identified an ESR1 mutation (chr1: g.42,177,149 T > C) in the transcription factor (TF) binding site of Stat5a and a JAK2 mutation (chr1: g.93,277,007 T > A) in the TF binding site of Sox5. Functional experiments confirmed that the ESR1 and JAK2 mutation reduced their expression. Our results provide new insights into the domestication history and genomic basis of sighthounds.

Zolpidem improves patients' sleep quality after surgical treatment for infective endocarditis: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of zolpidem for improving post-operative sleep quality among patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and to identify the potential risk factors for impaired sleep quality at 6 months after surgery. METHODS: Patients with IE who underwent surgical treatment were divided into two groups according to zolpidem usage. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate patients' sleep quality and daytime sleepiness at baseline, which was the second day after transferal, and at 6 months after surgery. Logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS: There were 32 patients in the zolpidem group and 42 in the control group. The PSQI and ESS scores at 6 months after surgery were significantly lower than those at baseline in both groups (P = 0.04). Additionally, 9 patients (28%) in the zolpidem group and 22 patients (52%) in the control group suffered poor sleep quality. Multivariate analysis identified age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.42), baseline PSQI score (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.55-4.65), and no zolpidem usage (OR = 45.48, 95%CI: 3.01-691.23) as independent factors for poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality after IE surgery was prevalent among patients even 6 months after IE surgery. Age, baseline PSQI score and no zolpidem usage were independently associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, zolpidem has the potential to be an effective part of a treatment arsenal for poor sleep quality after surgical treatment for IE.

[Identification of a critical region on chromosome 4p16.3 for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome-associated fetal growth retardation].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze ultrasonographic finding in fetuses with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) and refine the critical region on chromosome 4p16.3 for WHS-associated fetal growth retardation (FGR). METHODS: In total 2262 fetuses with abnormal ultrasonographic findings who underwent prenatal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis were reviewed. WHS-associated 4p deletions detected in these fetuses were compared, and prenatal ultrasound findings in such fetuses were summarized. Meanwhile, WHS cases with prenatal ultrasound findings and isolated 4p deletions in previous studies were included for further analysis. An analysis of smallest region of overlap (SRO) among discrepant 4p deletions in these cases above was performed to define a critical region for FGR. RESULTS: 4p deletions were detected in 10 of the 2262 fetuses and 5.0% of the 202 fetuses with FGR. Combined with 80 WHS cases from previous studies, the most common prenatal ultrasound finding was FGR, which yielded a frequency of 76.7%. In addition, a SRO spanning approximately 419 kb (genomic position: 1.32-1.74 Mb) on chromosome 4p16.3 was discovered by comparing the unusual 4p deletions among the 10 fetuses. The region contained seven protein-coding genes, including TACC3, SLBP, TMEM129, FAM53A, MAEA, UVSSA and CRIPAK. CONCLUSION: For fetuses with WHS, the most common prenatal ultrasound phenotype was FGR. A region between 1.32 Mb to 1.74 Mb from the telomere on chromosome 4p16.3 is critical for WHS-associated FGR, for which TACC3 and SLBP are the candidate genes.

Energy Storage via Polyvinylidene Fluoride Dielectric on the Counterelectrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

To study the fundamental energy storage mechanism of photovoltaically self-charging cells (PSCs) without involving light-responsive semiconductor materials such as Si powder and ZnO nanowires, we fabricate a two-electrode PSC with the dual functions of photocurrent output and energy storage by introducing a PVDF film dielectric on the counterelectrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell. A layer of ultrathin Au film used as a quasi-electrode establishes a shared interface for the I-/I3- redox reaction and for the contact between the electrolyte and the dielectric for the energy storage, and prohibits recombination during the discharging period because of its discontinuity. PSCs with a 10-nm-thick PVDF provide a steady photocurrent output and achieve a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 3.38%, and simultaneously offer energy storage with a charge density of 1.67 C g-1. Using this quasi-electrode design, optimized energy storage structures may be used in PSCs for high energy storage density.

Recovering degraded quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells by applying electrical pulses.

We discovered a method of applying a forward pulsed bias to recover the degraded quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Up to 30.7% of the power conversion efficiency (η) of a degraded poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based DSSC was recovered by a double-pulse. The recovered η remained higher than that before the double-pulse treatment for at least 28 days. It is deduced that the blocking of ion-transport channels in the quasi-solid-state electrolyte causes degradation of the DSSCs. This study will shed light on the efficiency enhancement and long-term stability of quasi-solid-state DSSCs.

Remote regulation of rs80245547 and rs72673891 mediated by transcription factors C-Jun and CREB1 affect GSTCD expression.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death worldwide, is influenced by genetic factors. The genetic signal rs10516526 in the glutathione S-transferase C-terminal domain containing (GSTCD) gene is a highly significant and reproducible signal associated with lung function and COPD on chromosome 4q24. In this study, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses and experimental verifications were detailly implemented to explore the regulation mechanism of rs10516526 and GSTCD in COPD. The results suggested that low expression of GSTCD was associated with COPD (p = 0.010). And C-Jun and CREB1 transcription factors were found to be essential for the regulation of GSTCD by rs80245547 and rs72673891. Moreover, rs80245547T and rs72673891G had a stronger binding ability to these transcription factors, which may promote the allele-specific long-range enhancer-promoter interactions on GSTCD, thus making COPD less susceptible. Our study provides a new insight into the relationship between rs10516526, GSTCD, and COPD.

Analysis of sleep characteristics and clinical outcomes of 139 adult patients with infective endocarditis after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the postoperative sleep quality of infective endocarditis patients during hospitalization and after discharge. AIM: To investigate the sleep characteristics of infective endocarditis patients and to identify potential risk factors for disturbed sleep quality after surgery. METHODS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to assess patient sleep quality. Logistic regression was used to explore the potential risk factors. RESULTS: The study population (n = 139) had an average age of 43.40 ± 14.56 years, and 67.6% were men (n = 94). Disturbed sleep quality was observed in 86 patients (61.9%) during hospitalization and remained in 46 patients (33.1%) at 6 mo after surgery. However, both PSQI and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores showed significant improvements at 6 mo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the potential risk factors were age (odds ratio = 1.125, 95% confidence interval: 1.068-1.186) and PSQI assessed during hospitalization (odds ratio = 1.759, 95% confidence interval: 1.436-2.155). The same analysis in patients with PSQI ≥ 8 during hospitalization suggested that not using sleep medication (odds ratio = 15.893, 95% confidence interval: 2.385-105.889) may be another risk factor. CONCLUSION: The incidence of disturbed sleep after infective endocarditis surgery is high. However, the situation improves significantly over time. Age and early postoperative high PSQI score are risk factors for disturbed sleep quality at 6 mo after surgery.

Photovoltaically Self-Charging Cells with WO3·H2O/CNTs/PVDF Composite.

Two-electrode photovoltaically self-charging cells (PSCs) possess compact structures for both energy conversion and storage with shared electrolyte and electrodes. It remains challenging to develop PSCs that are efficient in both energy conversion and storage. In this work, WO3·H2O nanoplates were synthesized by a modified acid-directed hydrothermal process and used to prepare a WO3·H2O/CNTs/PVDF composite film for energy storage in PSCs. The method with the assistance of polyethylenimine was essential to form smaller sized WO3·H2O nanoplates, thus larger surface area and higher columbic efficiency in cyclic voltammetry tests. Such an electrode composite made it more facile to assemble PSCs, which displayed an energy conversion efficiency of 2.12% with simultaneous energy storage of 1.38 C cm-2. Higher Li+ concentration in the electrolyte will be helpful to maintain the photocurrent at a larger value during irradiation. A higher performance of PSCs can be potentially obtained by optimizing the contact of electron collector and pseudocapacitive electrode materials.

High Performance All-Solid-State Flexible Micro-Pseudocapacitor Based on Hierarchically Nanostructured Tungsten Trioxide Composite.

Microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are promising energy storage devices to power miniaturized portable electronics and microelectromechanical systems. With the increasing attention on all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors, new strategies for high-performance flexible MSCs are highly desired. Here, we demonstrate all-solid-state, flexible micropseudocapacitors via direct laser patterning on crack-free, flexible WO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites containing high levels of porous hierarchically structured WO3 nanomaterials (up to 50 wt %) and limited binder (PVDF, <25 wt %). The work leads to an areal capacitance of 62.4 mF·cm(-2) and a volumetric capacitance of 10.4 F·cm(-3), exceeding that of graphene based flexible MSCs by a factor of 26 and 3, respectively. As a noncarbon based flexible MSC, hierarchically nanostructured WO3 in the narrow finger electrode is essential to such enhancement in energy density due to its pseudocapacitive property. The effects of WO3/PVDF/MWCNTs composite composition and the dimensions of interdigital structure on the performance of the flexible MSCs are investigated.

One-step femtosecond laser patterning of light-trapping structure on dye-sensitized solar cell photoelectrodes†.

Light-trapping patterns were constructed in TiO2 photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by a one-step femtosecond laser structuring method that utilized ablation to create patterns at the surface of nanostructured TiO2 films. As a result, much more light was trapped in the photoelectrodes. Grating and orthogonal-grid patterns were studied, and the light trapping performance was optimized through the adjustment of pattern spacing, which was easily realized in the laser ablation process. With a 5-µm-spacing orthogonal-grid pattern, DSSCs showed a highest photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of 9.32% under AM 1.5G, a 13.5% improvement compared to the same cell without laser ablation. This simple and universal laser ablation method could be used to process many kinds of nanomaterials, and could be applied for various devices with nanostructures.

Actuators based on liquid crystalline elastomer materials.

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) exhibit a number of remarkable physical effects, including the unique, high-stroke reversible mechanical actuation when triggered by external stimuli. This article reviews some recent exciting developments in the field of LCE materials with an emphasis on their utilization in actuator applications. Such applications include artificial muscles, industrial manufacturing, health and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). With suitable synthetic and preparation pathways and well-controlled actuation stimuli, such as heat, light, electric and magnetic fields, excellent physical properties of LCE materials can be realized. By comparing the actuating properties of different systems, general relationships between the structure and the properties of LCEs are discussed. How these materials can be turned into usable devices using interdisciplinary techniques is also described.

Dye-sensitized solar cell with energy storage function through PVDF/ZnO nanocomposite counter electrode.

Dye-sensitized solar cells with an energy storage function are demonstrated by modifying its counter electrode with a poly (vinylidene fluoride)/ZnO nanowire array composite. This simplex device could still function as an ordinary solar cell with a steady photocurrent output even after being fully charged. An energy storage density of 2.14 C g(-1) is achieved, while simultaneously a 3.70% photo-to-electric conversion efficiency is maintained.

Fabrication and size dependent properties of porous silicon nanotube arrays.

A general method for the formation of a broad family of silicon nanotube arrays (Si NTAs) relevant to diverse fields--ranging from energy storage to therapeutic platforms--is described. Such nanotubes demonstrate a thickness-dependent dissolution behavior important to its potential use in drug delivery. Under selected conditions, novel porous silicon nanotubes can be prepared when the shell thickness is on the order of 12 nm or less, capable of being loaded with small molecules such as luminescent ruthenium dyes associated with dye-sensitized photovoltaic devices.

Non-lithographic formation of three dimensional periodic nanostructures by germanium nanowire etching.

The intrinsic reactivity of curved nanoscale germanium surfaces, under carefully controlled anodic etch conditions, is exploited to produce intricate three-dimensional helical patterns. Such structures, retaining crystalline Ge character and yielding strong visible emission, demonstrate a feature spacing of a periodic nature that correlates with their measured width.