Nav1.7 as a chondrocyte regulator and therapeutic target for osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease. Currently there are no effective methods that simultaneously prevent joint degeneration and reduce pain1. Although limited evidence suggests the existence of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in chondrocytes2, their expression and function in chondrocytes and in OA remain essentially unknown. Here we identify Nav1.7 as an OA-associated VGSC and demonstrate that human OA chondrocytes express functional Nav1.7 channels, with a density of 0.1 to 0.15 channels per µm2 and 350 to 525 channels per cell. Serial genetic ablation of Nav1.7 in multiple mouse models demonstrates that Nav1.7 expressed in dorsal root ganglia neurons is involved in pain, whereas Nav1.7 in chondrocytes regulates OA progression. Pharmacological blockade of Nav1.7 with selective or clinically used pan-Nav channel blockers significantly ameliorates the progression of structural joint damage, and reduces OA pain behaviour. Mechanistically, Nav1.7 blockers regulate intracellular Ca2+ signalling and the chondrocyte secretome, which in turn affects chondrocyte biology and OA progression. Identification of Nav1.7 as a novel chondrocyte-expressed, OA-associated channel uncovers a dual target for the development of disease-modifying and non-opioid pain relief treatment for OA.

The role of adenoid immune phenotype in polysensitized children with allergic rhinitis and adenoid hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in elucidating the relationship between adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the impact of aeroallergen sensitization patterns on children with AH and AR remains unclear. METHODS: Patients aged 2-8 years (recruited from January 2019 to December 2022) with nasal symptoms were assessed for allergies, adenoid size, and respiratory viral infection history. The serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE levels were measured, and flexible nasal endoscopy was performed. The relationship between AH, aeroallergen sensitization patterns, and lymphocyte subpopulations in adenoid samples was analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: In total, 5281 children were enrolled (56.5% with AR; and 48.6% with AH). AH was more prevalent in children with AR. Compared to nonsensitized individuals, those polysensitized to molds had a higher prevalence of AH (adjusted OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.32-1.96) and a greater occurrence of two or more respiratory viral infections, particularly in adenoidectomy patients. The percentages and corrected absolute counts of regulatory T (Treg) cells, activated Tregs, class-switched memory B cells (CSMBs), natural killer (NK) T cells, and NK cell subpopulations were reduced in the adenoid tissues of children with both AH and AR (AH-AR) compared to AH-nAR children. Polysensitization in AH-AR children correlated with lower CSMB percentages. CONCLUSION: Polysensitivity to molds is associated with an increased risk of AH in children with AR. Fewer B cells, NK cells, and Treg cells with an effector/memory phenotype were detected in the adenoids of AR children, and these lower percentages of immune cells, particularly CSMBs, were closely linked to aeroallergen sensitization models and respiratory viral infection.

A network pharmacology- and transcriptomics-based investigation reveals an inhibitory role of ß-sitosterol in glioma via the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway.

Glioma is characterized by rapid cell proliferation, aggressive invasion, altered apoptosis and a poor prognosis. ß-Sitosterol, a kind of phytosterol, has been shown to possess anticancer activities. Our current study aims to investigate the effects of ß-sitosterol on gliomas and reveal the underlying mechanisms. Our results show that ß-sitosterol effectively inhibits the growth of U87 cells by inhibiting proliferation and inducing G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. In addition, ß-sitosterol inhibits migration by downregulating markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, network pharmacology and transcriptomics approaches illustrate that the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of ß-sitosterol on glioma. Afterward, the results show that ß-sitosterol effectively suppresses the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, ß-sitosterol significantly inhibits tumor growth in a U87 xenograft nude mouse model. ß-Sitosterol inhibits U87 cell proliferation and migration and induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in U87 cells by blocking the EGFR/MAPK signaling pathway. These results suggest that ß-sitosterol may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of glioma.

Super-Hydrophilic Microporous Ni(OH)x/Ni3 S2 Heterostructure Electrocatalyst for Large-Current-Density Hydrogen Evolution.

Exploiting active and stable non-precious metal electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at large current density plays a key role in realizing large-scale industrial hydrogen generation. Herein, a self-supported microporous Ni(OH)x/Ni3 S2 heterostructure electrocatalyst on nickel foam (Ni(OH)x/Ni3 S2 /NF) that possesses super-hydrophilic property through an electrochemical process is rationally designed and fabricated. Benefiting from the super-hydrophilic property, microporous feature, and self-supported structure, the electrocatalyst exhibits an exceptional HER performance at large current density in 1.0 M KOH, only requiring low overpotential of 126, 193, and 238 mV to reach a current density of 100, 500, and 1000 mA cm-2 , respectively, and displaying a long-term durability up to 1000 h, which is among the state-of-the-art non-precious metal electrocatalysts. Combining hard X-rays absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculation, it also reveals that the strong electronic coupling at the interface of the heterostructure facilitates the dissociation of H2 O molecular, accelerating the HER kinetics in alkaline electrolyte. This work sheds a light on developing advanced non-precious metal electrocatalysts for industrial hydrogen production by means of constructing a super-hydrophilic microporous heterostructure.

Atomically Dispersed Silver Atoms Embedded in NiCo Layer Double Hydroxide Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Bimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are promising catalysts for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Despite good stability, NiCo LDH displays an unsatisfactory OER activity relative to the most robust NiFe LDH and CoFe LDH. Herein, a novel NiCo LDH electrocatalyst modified with single-atom silver grown on carbon cloth (AgSA -NiCo LDH/CC) that exhibits exceptional OER activity and stability in 1.0 m KOH is reported. The AgSA -NiCo LDH/CC catalyst only requires a low overpotential of 192 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm-2 , obviously boosting the OER activity of NiCo LDH/CC (410 mV@10 mA cm-2 ). Inspiringly, AgSA -NiCo LDH/CC can maintain its high activity for up to 500 h at a large current density of 100 mA cm-2 , exceeding most single-atom OER catalysts. In situ Raman spectroscopy studies uncover that the in situ formed NiCoOOH during OER is the real active species. Hard X-ray absorption spectrum (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that single-atom Ag occupying Ni site increases the chemical valence of Ni elements, and then weakens the adsorption of oxygen-contained intermediates on Ni sites, fundamentally accounting for the enhanced OER performance.

Super-resolution lensless imaging system based on a fast anti-diffraction algorithm.

Conventional lens imaging systems modulate incident rays with a set of lenses and focus these rays on their imaging planes. A lensless imaging system uses a single mask instead of lenses to project incident rays onto the imaging plane. These rays pass through or are blocked off according to the binary mask pattern. These systems are thin, lightweight, and inexpensive. However, they do not converge the rays, causing the local images corresponding to individual light transmission units to heavily overlap in a global scene, requiring a specific algorithm for decoding. Additionally, diffraction is unavoidable when the holes on the mask are extremely small, which can degrade the imaging quality. To address these difficulties, we propose a decoding algorithm called Fourier-ADMM algorithm to unwrap the overlapped images rapidly. In addition to providing high decoding speed, the proposed technique can suppress the diffraction from the tiny holes, owing to its conjugated structure. Based on this novel decoding algorithm, a lensless imaging system is proposed, which can handle overlapped and diffracted images with a single random mask. The camera can work beyond the theoretical diffraction limit and tremendously enhance the resolution. In summary, the super-resolution lensless camera provides users with additional options to suit different situations. It can facilitate robust, high-resolution, fast decoding without sophisticated calibration.

Dual-ring parity-time symmetric brillouin fiber laser with an unbalanced polarization Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

A dual-ring parity-time (PT) symmetric Brillouin fiber laser (BFL) with an unbalanced polarization Mach-Zehnder interferometer (UP-MZI) is proposed and experimentally investigated. An UP-MZI consisting of optical coupler, polarization beam combiner (PBC) and two asymmetric length arms with 10 km and 100 m single-mode fiber, is used to achieve Vernier effect and PT symmetry. Due to the orthogonally polarized lights created in the PBC, the dual-ring PT symmetry BFL with an UP-MZI implements two unbalanced length feedback rings that are connected to one another, one long length ring with a Brillouin gain and the other short length ring with a loss of the same magnitude, to break a PT symmetric and maintain the Vernier effect. By contrast with existing PT symmetry BFL studies, this design does not require same lengths of the gain and loss loops, but can manipulate freely PT symmetry status in accordance with a rational scaling factor between them. Experimental results reveal that the 3-dB linewidth of dual-ring PT symmetry BFL with an UP-MZI is about 4.85 Hz with the threshold input power of 9.5 mW, in accordance with the 97 Hz measured linewidth at the -20 dB power point. Within 60 mins of the stability experiment, the power and frequency stability fluctuation are ±0.02 dB and ±0.137 kHz, respectively. Thanks to the two asymmetric ring lengths, the sidemode suppression ratio (SMSR) is optimized by 54 dB compared to that with the only long ring structure, 26 dB when using only the Vernier effect or 12 dB for existing PT symmetry BFL. This BFL design with single longitudinal mode and high SMSR output can be applied to high coherent communication and Brillouin-based microwave photonics systems with low phase noise.

Exploring causal mechanisms and essential factors in the prevention and control of chlamydia in Guangdong, Southern China: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. According to the World Health Organization, more than 131 million people get infected with CT annually. CT is usually transmitted via sexual contact or perinatal exposure and can result in severe long-term complications. In developing nations, particularly, the prevention and control of CT is challenging. Hence, this study will explore the feedback mechanisms of chlamydia prevention and control, as well as identify the essential factors affecting the control and prevention of this infection in China. METHODS: Our study will employ a mixed-methods research design that encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Firstly, we will develop a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on the literature review and optimize it via in-depth interviews with stakeholders. Additionally, we will utilize a quantitative method called MICMAC(Impact Matrix Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification tool) to obtain consensus among different stakeholders and pinpoint the key information. Next, the CLD will be transformed into a system dynamics model (SDM) to evaluate the feedback mechanisms within the CLD. The causality in the CLD will be modeled using mathematical equations, which facilitate the transformation into an SDM. As such, we will be able to analyze the dynamic behavior of the system and its response to different decisions. DISCUSSION: Our study offers a systematic perspective on the control and prevention of chlamydia infection through system dynamics modeling, examining the dynamic properties and background factors of the system. The creation of the CLD affords stakeholders the chance to comprehend the functionality of their relationships and improve cooperation. Consequently, by evaluating the outcomes of these simulations, it will be possible to analyze and determine potential interventions and their effects on chlamydia infections. This modeling approach can help us gain insight into the dynamic characteristics of the system, evaluate the potential outcomes of different decisions, and design control strategies to either stabilize the system or adjust its behavior.

Improving eye care quality through brief verbal intervention on optometry service provider by using unannounced standardized patient with refractive error: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Improper refractive correction can be harmful to eye health, aggravating the burden of vision impairment. During most optometry clinical consultations, practitioner-patient interactions play a key role. Maybe it is feasible for patients themselves to do something to get high-quality optometry. But the present empirical research on the quality improvement of eye care needs to be strengthened. The study aims to test the effect of the brief verbal intervention (BVI) through patients on the quality of optometry service. METHODS: This study will take unannounced standardized patient (USP) with refractive error as the core research tool, both in measurement and intervention. The USP case and the checklist will be developed through a standard protocol and assessed for validity and reliability before its full use. USP will be trained to provide standardized responses during optical visits and receive baseline refraction by the skilled study optometrist who will be recruited within each site. A multi-arm parallel-group randomized trial will be used, with one common control and three intervention groups. The study will be performed in four cities, Guangzhou and three cities in Inner Mongolia, China. A total of 480 optometry service providers (OSPs) will be stratified and randomly selected and divided into four groups. The common control group will receive USP usual visits (without intervention), and three intervention groups will separately receive USP visits with three kinds of BVI on the patient side. A detailed outcome evaluation will include the optometry accuracy, optometry process, patient satisfaction, cost information and service time. Descriptive analysis will be performed for the survey results, and the difference in outcomes between interventions and control providers will be compared and statistically tested using generalized linear models (GLMs). DISCUSSION: This research will help policymakers understand the current situation and influencing factors of refractive error care quality, and then implement precise policies; at the same time, explore short and easy interventions for patients to improve the quality of optometry service. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200062819. Registered on August 19, 2022.

Rectangular Amplitude Mask-Based Auto-Focus Method with a Large Range and High Precision for a Micro-LED Wafer Defects Detection System.

Auto-focus technology plays an important role in the Micro-LED wafer defects detection system. How to accurately measure the defocus amount and the defocus direction of the Micro-LED wafer sample in a large linear range is one of the keys to realizing wafer defects detection. In this paper, a large range and high-precision auto-focus method based on a rectangular amplitude mask is proposed. A rectangular amplitude mask without a long edge is used to modulate the shape of the incident laser beams so that the spot shape distribution of the reflected laser beam on the sensor changes with the defocus amount of the wafer sample. By calculating the shape of the light spots, the defocus amount and the defocus direction can be obtained at the same time. The experimental results show that under the 20× microscopy objective, the linear range of the auto-focus system is 480 µm and the accuracy can reach 1 µm. It can be seen that the automatic focusing method proposed in this paper has the advantages of large linear range, high accuracy, and compact structure, which can meet the requirements of the Micro-LED wafer defects detection equipment.

Design and collaborative optimization method of multilayer coatings to correct polarization aberration of optical systems.

Multilayer coatings induce a significant polarization aberration in optical systems with high numerical aperture (NA) and wide field of view, which will cause wavefront distortion and imaging degradation. Studies have used low-polarization coatings (LPC) design to reduce the coating-induced polarization aberration. However, the polarization aberration caused by LPC remain evident in systems with large incident angles and many coated surfaces. In this paper, a hybrid optimization algorithm (HOA) is proposed to enhance the design accuracy of LPC. Based on the HOA, a collaborative optimization method is developed to simultaneously design coatings with different polarization properties for multiple surfaces, which can correct polarization aberration by mutual compensation between the coated surfaces and other optical elements in a single system. Finally, a high NA lithographic lens is simulated as an example to verify the collaborative optimization method. The simulation demonstrates that this method is superior to conventional methods. This research provides a new way to correct the polarization aberration and is applicable to any systems coated with multilayer coatings.

Narrow linewidth parity-time symmetric Brillouin fiber laser based on a dual-polarization cavity with a single micro-ring resonator.

A narrow linewidth parity-time (PT) symmetric Brillouin fiber laser (BFL) based on dual-polarization cavity (DPC) with single micro-ring resonator (MRR) is proposed and experimentally investigated. A 10 km single-mode fiber provides SBS gain, while a DPC consisting of optical coupler, polarization beam combiner and a MRR, is used to achieve PT symmetry. Due to the reciprocity of light propagation in the MRR, the PT symmetry BFL based on DPC implements two identical feedback loops that are connected to one another, one with a Brillouin gain coefficient and the other with a loss coefficient of the same magnitude, to break a PT symmetric. Compared with existing BFL studies, this design does not call for frequency matching of compound cavities structures or without ultra-narrow bandwidth bandpass filters. In the experiment, the 3-dB linewidth of PT symmetry BFL based on DPC with single MRR is 11.95 Hz with the threshold input power of 2.5 mW, according to the measured linewidth of 239 Hz at the -20 dB power point. And a 40 dB maximum mode suppression ratio are measured. Furthermore, the PT symmetry BFL's wavelength is tuned between 1549.60 and 1550.73 nm. This design with single longitudinal mode output can be applied to high coherent communication systems.

Improving Data Surveillance Resilience Beyond COVID-19: Experiences of Primary heAlth Care quAlity Cohort In ChinA (ACACIA) Using Unannounced Standardized Patients.

We analyzed COVID-19 influences on the design, implementation, and validity of assessing the quality of primary health care using unannounced standardized patients (USPs) in China. Because of the pandemic, we crowdsourced our funding, removed tuberculosis from the USP case roster, adjusted common cold and asthma cases, used hybrid online-offline training for USPs, shared USPs across provinces, and strengthened ethical considerations. With those changes, we were able to conduct fieldwork despite frequent COVID-19 interruptions. Furthermore, the USP assessment tool maintained high validity in the quality checklist (criteria), USP role fidelity, checklist completion, and physician detection of USPs. Our experiences suggest that the pandemic created not only barriers but also opportunities to innovate ways to build a resilient data collection system. To build data system reliance, we recommend harnessing the power of technology for a hybrid model of remote and in-person work, learning from the sharing economy to pool strengths and optimize resources, and dedicating individual and group leadership to problem-solving and results. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(6):913-922. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306779).

A New Target of the Four-Herb Chinese Medicine for Wound Repair Promoted by Mitochondrial Metabolism Using Protein Acetylation Analysis.

BACKGROUND Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process that is regulated by a variety of factors and pathways. This study sought to identify the mechanisms of the four-herb Chinese medicine ANBP in enhancing wound repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS By comparing the group treated with ANBP for 6 h (Z6h) with the corresponding control group (C6h), we used the new high-throughput differential acetylation proteomics method to explore the mechanism of ANBP treatment and analyse and identify new targets of ANBP for promoting wound healing. RESULTS ANBP promoted skin wound healing in mice; the wound healing process was accelerated and the wound healing time was shortened (P<0.05). The upregulated proteins were distributed mostly in the mitochondria to nuclear respiratory chain complexes and cytoplasmic vesicles. The dominant pathways for upregulated proteins were fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Pdha1 was upregulated with the most acetylation sites, while the downregulated Ncl, and Pfkm were most acetylated. CONCLUSIONS The findings from our study showed that ANBP improved cell aerobic respiration through enhanced glycolysis, pyruvic acid oxidative decarboxylation, and the Krebs cycle to produce more ATP for energy consumption, thus accelerating wound repair of skin.

Optical design of an Offner coded aperture snapshot spectral imaging system based on dual-DMDs in the mid-wave infrared band.

With the advantages of flexible encoding and high frame rate, the digital micromirror devices (DMD) have been used as a binary encoding mask in the coded aperture snapshot spectral imaging (CASSI) systems. But the use of DMD will cause the image plane to tilt at a specific angle, so it is almost impossible to realize the strict matching between the optical system of CASSI and the cold stop of the infrared focal plane array in the mid-wave infrared band. In this paper, a CASSI system with two DMDs based on the Offner spectrometer is proposed to solve the above problem. The concept and working principle are described in detail. Under the premise of the matching optical parameters, the telescopic system, Offner spectroscopic system and microscopic system are designed independently. Then the integrated optimization design method is adopted, and the aberration of the microscopic system is used to offset the astigmatic aberration of the Offner spectroscopic system, and the imaging quality of the system is improved. The results of performance measurements confirm that the system has desirable spatial resolution and spectral response functions. Thus, the concept and optical design of the proposed system are verified to be effective and valuable.

Design and optimization method of a convex blazed grating in the Offner imaging spectrometer.

The convex reflective diffraction grating is an essential optical component in Offner systems, which has been widely used in imaging spectrometers. We propose a new design and optimization method for the convex blazed grating in the Offner imaging spectrometer. The method integrates the macro- and microdesign of the optical system, and it can be used to design and optimize the convex blazed grating with high diffraction efficiency. Traditional geometric optics theory and image quality evaluation methods are used to design the macro-optical structure parameters of the Offner system. And then the incident ray information, such as the incident angle and the polarization states are calculated by using the three-dimensional polarization ray-tracing method. To improve the diffraction efficiency, we combine rigorous coupled wave analysis and a particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize the microstructure parameters of the convex-blazed grating. Further, a convex-blazed grating in a mid-wave infrared Offner imaging spectrometer is designed as an example to illustrate our design method in detail. The design results indicate that the Offner imaging spectrometer has good imaging quality, and the average diffraction efficiency of the -1st diffraction order of the convex-blazed grating in the spectral coverage 3-5 µm is 82.24%. Compared to the traditional design method, the lowest spectral diffraction efficiency is improved from 59.88% to 69.24%, the highest spectral diffraction efficiency is improved from 90.45% to 91.84%, and the standard deviation is reduced from 7.82 to 6.62.

The value of preoperative high-resolution MRI with microscopy coil for facial nonmelanoma skin cancers.

BACKGROUND: The extent and depth of facial nonmelanoma skin cancers and the involvement of adjacent structures are critical features for surgical planning, but they are difficult to assess clinically. High-resolution MRI (HR-MRI) with microscopy coil may facilitate detailed evaluation of skin lesions. The authors performed this prospective study to determine the value of high-resolution microscopy coil MRI in the preoperative evaluation of nonmelanoma skin cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2018 and August 2019, 16 lesions from fifteen consecutive patients with facial nonmelanoma skin cancer were evaluated using high-resolution microscopy coil MRI about tumor extent, depth, margins, characteristic, and their spatial relationship with adjacent structures. The preoperative HR-MRI results were compared with the intraoperative findings and with the histopathology, with special note to the depth of invasion. RESULTS: Among the 16 lesions, HR-MRI imaging was found to provide accurate evaluation of tumor extent, depth, and margins and determine whether there was involvement of adjacent structures. The tumor depth measured on HR-MRI showed good correlation with histopathologic results (CCC: 0.973), and Bland-Altman analysis finding no significant bias existed between the two measurements. All lesions except one were completely resected with primary excision. Only one lesion required further excision. During follow-up for 3-15 months, no tumor recurrence was observed in any case. CONCLUSIONS: HR-MRI is an accurate, noninvasive imaging technique that can be used as preoperative evaluation tool for facial nonmelanoma skin cancer. It can accurate predict tumor depth, margins, and involvement of structure. The valuable information it provided facilitates surgeons optimize surgical planning.

Salt adaptability in a halophytic soybean (Glycine soja) involves photosystems coordination.

BACKGROUND: Glycine soja is a halophytic soybean native to saline soil in Yellow River Delta, China. Photosystem I (PSI) performance and the interaction between photosystem II (PSII) and PSI remain unclear in Glycine soja under salt stress. This study aimed to explore salt adaptability in Glycine soja in terms of photosystems coordination. RESULTS: Potted Glycine soja was exposed to 300 mM NaCl for 9 days with a cultivated soybean, Glycine max, as control. Under salt stress, the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and PSI (△MR/MR0) were significantly decreased with the loss of PSI and PSII reaction center proteins in Glycine max, and greater PSI vulnerability was suggested by earlier decrease in △MR/MR0 than Fv/Fm and depressed PSI oxidation in modulated 820 nm reflection transients. Inversely, PSI stability was defined in Glycine soja, as △MR/MR0 and PSI reaction center protein abundance were not affected by salt stress. Consistently, chloroplast ultrastructure and leaf lipid peroxidation were not affected in Glycine soja under salt stress. Inhibition on electron flow at PSII acceptor side helped protect PSI by restricting electron flow to PSI and seemed as a positive response in Glycine soja due to its rapid recovery after salt stress. Reciprocally, PSI stability aided in preventing PSII photoinhibition, as the simulated feedback inhibition by PSI inactivation induced great decrease in Fv/Fm under salt stress. In contrast, PSI inactivation elevated PSII excitation pressure through inhibition on PSII acceptor side and accelerated PSII photoinhibition in Glycine max, according to the positive and negative correlation of △MR/MR0 with efficiency that an electron moves beyond primary quinone and PSII excitation pressure respectively. CONCLUSION: Therefore, photosystems coordination depending on PSI stability and rapid response of PSII acceptor side contributed to defending salt-induced oxidative stress on photosynthetic apparatus in Glycine soja. Photosystems interaction should be considered as one of the salt adaptable mechanisms in this halophytic soybean.

Systemic In Silico Screening in Drug Discovery for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) with an Online Interactive Web Server.

The emergence of the new coronavirus (nCoV-19) has impacted human health on a global scale, while the interaction between the virus and the host is the foundation of the disease. The viral genome codes a cluster of proteins, each with a unique function in the event of host invasion or viral development. Under the current adverse situation, we employ virtual screening tools in searching for drugs and natural products which have been already deposited in DrugBank in an attempt to accelerate the drug discovery process. This study provides an initial evaluation of current drug candidates from various reports using our systemic in silico drug screening based on structures of viral proteins and human ACE2 receptor. Additionally, we have built an interactive online platform (https://shennongproject.ai/) for browsing these results with the visual display of a small molecule docked on its potential target protein, without installing any specialized structural software. With continuous maintenance and incorporation of data from laboratory work, it may serve not only as the assessment tool for the new drug discovery but also an educational web site for the public.

Comprehensive understanding of the focal property of lobster-eye optics.

Lobster-eye optics is a promising option to establish an all-sky monitor in the X-ray spectrum. With the development of micromachining technology, the performance of lobster-eye optics is gradually improving and has become more practical. In this paper, from an optical design point of view, the mathematical models of the square-channel lobster-eye lens and the meridional lobster-eye lens have been established based on prism analysis, and the focusing property differences of the two lenses are analyzed. There are several key conclusions: the square-channel lobster lens has no paraxial ideal focal point; the meridional lobster eye lens has better energy concentration for focusing and a weaker capacity for energy collection than the square-channel lobster eye lens in the high-energy X-ray spectrum; and the stray light arms of the square lobster-eye lens appear earlier than those of the meridional lobster-eye lens when the photon energy decreases. These conclusions can help improve the design of a lobster-eye lens for space detection and exploration.