Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal volvulus without malrotation: A case report.

Cases of fetal volvulus without malrotation are extremely uncommon and pose a life-threatening condition of acute abdomen. In cases of inadequate intestinal rotation, the narrowing of the attachment of the mesenteric root can easily cause intestinal torsion and consequent local blood circulation disorders within the intestinal tract, leading to aseptic necrosis and simultaneous intestinal perforation, resulting in meconium peritonitis, ascites, anemia, and potentially fetal death. In ultrasound examinations, it may be the preferred examination method for this disease. Ultrasound physicians should improve their understanding of this disease in prenatal diagnosis, as it has important clinical value for obstetric management and neonatal treatment, thereby potentially improving adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Delayed sustained lung inflation for preterm neonates in neonatal intensive care unit: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sustained lung inflation (SLI) right after birth to decrease the use of mechanical ventilation of preterm infants is controversial because of potential harm. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of delayed SLI in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Preterm neonates requiring continuous positive airway pressure after birth were eligible for enrollment. In the experimental group, SLI with 20 cm H2O for 15 s was conducted by experienced staff in the NICU between 30 min and 24 h after birth. RESULTS: A total of 45 neonates were enrolled into this study, including 24 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. There was no significant difference in the birth condition between the experimental and control groups, including gestational age (p = 0.151), birth weight (p = 0.692), and Apgar score at 1 min (p = 0.410) and 5 min (p = 0.518). The results showed the duration of respiratory support was shorter in the experimental group than the control group (p = 0.044). In addition, there was no significant difference in the other outcomes, such as pneumothorax, patent ductus arteriosus, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that sustained inflation conducted by experienced staff in the NICU is safe. The data suggest that SLI conducted by experienced staff in the NICU after stabilization could serve as an alternative management for preterm infants with respiratory distress. However, the reduction in use of respiratory support should be interpreted cautiously as a result of limited sample size. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000052797 (retrospectively registered).

Efficacy and Safety of Sorafenib or Lenvatinib for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Failure of First-Line Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (hereinafter, atezolizumab-bevacizumab) is the standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC, the optimal second-line regimen remains unknown. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib and lenvatinib in patients with advanced HCC that progressed under atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles published before November 2023. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to determine the pooled objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), comparing patients who received sorafenib versus lenvatinib. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 387 patients were included. The pooled ORR, DCR, OS, and PFS for sorafenib and lenvatinib together were 26% (95% CI: 14-43%), 63% (95% CI: 47-77%), 11.45 months (95% CI: 7.12-15.77, I2 = 92%, p < 0.01), and 3.78 months (95% CI: 2.34-5.23, I2 = 67%, p = 0.02), respectively. Although lenvatinib users had a longer median OS (12.42 vs. 10.75 months) and PFS (5.15 vs. 2.58 months) than sorafenib users, the pooled ORR, DCR, median OS, and PFS for these medications were comparable. Additionally, the distributions of all-grade and grade ≥ 3 adverse events for sorafenib and lenvatinib were comparable to those for these two medications when used as first-line therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib or lenvatinib can provide effective treatment with manageable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC after disease progression under atezolizumab-bevacizumab.

Day-night gene expression reveals circadian gene disco as a candidate for diel-niche evolution in moths.

Temporal ecological niche partitioning is an underappreciated driver of speciation. While insects have long been models for circadian biology, the genes and circuits that allow adaptive changes in diel-niches remain poorly understood. We compared gene expression in closely related day- and night-active non-model wild silk moths, with otherwise similar ecologies. Using an ortholog-based pipeline to compare RNA-Seq patterns across two moth species, we find over 25 pairs of gene orthologs showing differential expression. Notably, the gene disco, involved in circadian control, optic lobe and clock neuron development in Drosophila, shows robust adult circadian mRNA cycling in moth heads. Disco is highly conserved in moths and has additional zinc-finger domains with specific nocturnal and diurnal mutations. We propose disco as a candidate gene for the diversification of temporal diel-niche in moths.

De Novo Long-Read Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Luna Moth (Actias luna) Fully Resolves Repeat-Rich Silk Genes.

We present the first long-read de novo assembly and annotation of the luna moth (Actias luna) and provide the full characterization of heavy chain fibroin (h-fibroin), a long and highly repetitive gene (>20 kb) essential in silk fiber production. There are >160,000 described species of moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), but only within the last 5 years have we begun to recover high-quality annotated whole genomes across the order that capture h-fibroin. Using PacBio HiFi reads, we produce the first high-quality long-read reference genome for this species. The assembled genome has a length of 532 Mb, a contig N50 of 16.8 Mb, an L50 of 14 contigs, and 99.4% completeness (BUSCO). Our annotation using Bombyx mori protein and A. luna RNAseq evidence captured a total of 20,866 genes at 98.9% completeness with 10,267 functionally annotated proteins and a full-length h-fibroin annotation of 2,679 amino acid residues.

Deficiency of m 6 A RNA methylation promotes ZBP1-mediated cell death.

m 6 A RNA methylation suppresses the immunostimulatory potential of endogenous RNA. Deficiency of m 6 A provokes inflammatory responses and cell death, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we showed that the noncoding RNA 7SK gains immunostimulatory potential upon m 6 A depletion and subsequently activates the RIG-I/MAVS axis to spark interferon (IFN) signaling cascades. Concomitant excess of IFN and m 6 A deficiency synergistically facilitate the formation of RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4) to promote ZBP1-mediated necroptotic cell death. Collectively, our findings delineate a hitherto uncharacterized mechanism that links m 6 A dysregulation with ZBP1 activity in triggering inflammatory cell death.

Downregulation of Protease Cathepsin D and Upregulation of Pathologic α-Synuclein Mediate Paucity of DNAJC6-Induced Degeneration of Dopaminergic Neurons.

A homozygous mutation of the DNAJC6 gene causes autosomal recessive familial type 19 of Parkinson's disease (PARK19). To test the hypothesis that PARK19 DNAJC6 mutations induce the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic cells by reducing the protein expression of functional DNAJC6 and causing DNAJC6 paucity, an in vitro PARK19 model was constructed by using shRNA-mediated gene silencing of endogenous DANJC6 in differentiated human SH-SY5Y dopaminergic neurons. shRNA targeting DNAJC6 induced the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic cells. DNAJC6 paucity reduced the level of cytosolic clathrin heavy chain and the number of lysosomes in dopaminergic neurons. A DNAJC6 paucity-induced reduction in the lysosomal number downregulated the protein level of lysosomal protease cathepsin D and impaired macroautophagy, resulting in the upregulation of pathologic α-synuclein or phospho-α-synucleinSer129 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. The expression of α-synuclein shRNA or cathepsin D blocked the DNAJC6 deficiency-evoked degeneration of dopaminergic cells. An increase in ER α-synuclein or phospho-α-synucleinSer129 caused by DNAJC6 paucity activated ER stress, the unfolded protein response and ER stress-triggered apoptotic signaling. The lack of DNAJC6-induced upregulation of mitochondrial α-synuclein depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated the mitochondrial level of superoxide. The DNAJC6 paucity-evoked ER stress-related apoptotic cascade, mitochondrial malfunction and oxidative stress induced the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons via activating mitochondrial pro-apoptotic signaling. In contrast with the neuroprotective function of WT DNAJC6, the PARK19 DNAJC6 mutants (Q789X or R927G) failed to attenuate the tunicamycin- or rotenone-induced upregulation of pathologic α-synuclein and stimulation of apoptotic signaling. Our data suggest that PARK19 mutation-induced DNAJC6 paucity causes the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons via downregulating protease cathepsin D and upregulating neurotoxic α-synuclein. Our results also indicate that PARK19 mutation (Q789X or R927G) impairs the DNAJC6-mediated neuroprotective function.

Evidence for Admixture and Rapid Evolution During Glacial Climate Change in an Alpine Specialist.

The pace of current climate change is expected to be problematic for alpine flora and fauna, as their adaptive capacity may be limited by small population size. Yet, despite substantial genetic drift following post-glacial recolonization of alpine habitats, alpine species are notable for their success surviving in highly heterogeneous environments. Population genomic analyses demonstrating how alpine species have adapted to novel environments with limited genetic diversity remain rare, yet are important in understanding the potential for species to respond to contemporary climate change. In this study, we explored the evolutionary history of alpine ground beetles in the Nebria ingens complex, including the demographic and adaptive changes that followed the last glacier retreat. We first tested alternative models of evolutionary divergence in the species complex. Using millions of genome-wide SNP markers from hundreds of beetles, we found evidence that the N. ingens complex has been formed by past admixture of lineages responding to glacial cycles. Recolonization of alpine sites involved a distributional range shift to higher elevation, which was accompanied by a reduction in suitable habitat and the emergence of complex spatial genetic structure. We tested several possible genetic pathways involved in adaptation to heterogeneous local environments using genome scan and genotype-environment association approaches. From the identified genes, we found enriched functions associated with abiotic stress responses, with strong evidence for adaptation to hypoxia-related pathways. The results demonstrate that despite rapid demographic change, alpine beetles in the N. ingens complex underwent rapid physiological evolution.

MMP-9 upregulation may predict hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a serious complication after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We analyzed the plasma levels of MMP-9 before and after EVT and assessed the temporal changes of MMP-9 that may be associated with, and therefore predict, HT after EVT. Methods: We enrolled 30 AIS patients who received EVT, and 16 (53.3%) developed HT. The levels of MMP-9 in plasma collected from the arteries of AIS patients before and immediately after EVT were measured using ELISA. The percent change in MMP-9 after EVT (after/before) was calculated and compared between patients with and without HT. Results: The median age of the AIS patients was 70 years, and 13 patients (43.3%) were men. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of patients with HT were 18 on admission and 18 after EVT. The median NIHSS scores of patients without HT were 17 on admission and 11 after EVT. Patients with HT demonstrated significantly greater percentage increases in arterial MMP-9 levels after EVT. Conclusion: Patients with AIS who developed HT had significantly increased arterial MMP-9 levels after EVT, suggesting that the upregulation of MMP-9 following EVT could serve as a predictive biomarker for HT.

Electrical Double-Layer Transistors Comprising Block Copolymer Electrolytes for Low-Power-Consumption Photodetectors.

Electrical double-layer transistors (EDLTs) have received extensive research attention owing to their exciting advantages of low working voltage, high biocompatibility, and sensitive interfacial properties in ultrasensitive portable sensing applications. Therefore, it is of great interest to reduce photodetectors' operating voltage and power consumption by utilizing photo-EDLT. In this study, a series of block copolymers (BCPs) of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P4VP-b-PEO) with different compositions were applied to formulate polyelectrolyte with indigo carmine salt in EDLT. Accordingly, PEO conduces ion conduction in the BCP electrolyte and enhances the carrier transport capability in the semiconducting channel; P4VP boosts the photocurrent by providing charge-trapping sites during light illumination. In addition, the severe aggregation of PEO is mitigated by forming a BCP structure with P4VP, enhancing the stability and photoresponse of the photo-EDLT. By optimizing the BCP composition, EDLT comprising P4VP16k-b-PEO5k and indigo carmine provides the highest specific detectivity of 2.1 × 107 Jones, along with ultralow power consumptions of 0.59 nW under 450 nm light illumination and 0.32 pW under dark state. The results indicate that photo-EDLT comprising the BCP electrolyte is a practical approach to reducing phototransistors' operating voltage and power consumption.

Shared Features Underlying Compact Genomes and Extreme Habitat Use in Chironomid Midges.

Nonbiting midges (family Chironomidae) are found throughout the world in a diverse array of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, can often tolerate harsh conditions such as hypoxia or desiccation, and have consistently compact genomes. Yet we know little about the shared molecular basis for these attributes and how they have evolved across the family. Here, we address these questions by first creating high-quality, annotated reference assemblies for Tanytarsus gracilentus (subfamily Chironominae, tribe Tanytarsini) and Parochlus steinenii (subfamily Podonominae). Using these and other publicly available assemblies, we created a time-calibrated phylogenomic tree for family Chironomidae with outgroups from order Diptera. We used this phylogeny to test for features associated with compact genomes, as well as examining patterns of gene family evolution and positive selection that may underlie chironomid habitat tolerances. Our results suggest that compact genomes evolved in the common ancestor of Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae and that this occurred mainly through reductions in noncoding regions (introns, intergenic sequences, and repeat elements). Significantly expanded gene families in Chironomidae included biological processes that may relate to tolerance of stressful environments, such as temperature homeostasis, carbohydrate transport, melanization defense response, and trehalose transport. We identified several positively selected genes in Chironomidae, notably sulfonylurea receptor, CREB-binding protein, and protein kinase D. Our results improve our understanding of the evolution of small genomes and extreme habitat use in this widely distributed group.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of humeral adductors in subjects with rotator cuff tear.

INTRODUCTION: In symptomatic patients with rotator cuff tear, MRI and radiographic studies have ascribed the pain symptom to insufficient humeral head depression during arm elevations. The arm adductors such as the teres major and pectoralis major may contribute to depression of the humerus head during arm elevations. Researchers have demonstrated that neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the serratus anterior and lower trapezius can control scapular motions and improve acromiohumeral distance. It is unknown, however, if adductor neuromuscular training could help patients with rotator cuff tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of NMES of the teres major and pectoralis major was conducted on 30 symptomatic subjects with rotator cuff tear. We measured the acromiohumeral distance by ultrasonography and scapular kinematics during arm elevation with a three-dimensional motion tracking system. RESULTS: The acromiohumeral distance significantly increased during NMES of the teres major (0.73 mm, p < 0.001). However, the distance significantly decreased with NMES of the pectoralis major (0.78 mm, p < 0.001). Additionally, scapular upward rotation was greater during NMES of the teres major than during NMES of the pectoralis major (3.4°, p < 0.001). Scapular external rotation decreased significantly more during NMES of the pectoralis major than during NMES of the teres major (1.6°, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: NMES of the teres major can increase acromiohumeral distance and scapular upward rotation during arm elevation. However, the decreased upward and external rotation of the scapula during arm elevation with NMES of the pectoralis major may be associated with subacromial impingement.

Initial SEI formation in LiBOB-, LiDFOB- and LiBF4-containing PEO electrolytes.

A limiting factor for solid polymer electrolyte (SPE)-based Li-batteries is the functionality of the electrolyte decomposition layer that is spontaneously formed at the Li metal anode. A deeper understanding of this layer will facilitate its improvement. This study investigates three SPEs - polyethylene oxide:lithium tetrafluoroborate (PEO:LiBF4), polyethylene oxide:lithium bis(oxalate)borate (PEO:LiBOB), and polyethylene oxide:lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (PEO:LiDFOB) - using a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic cycling, in situ Li deposition photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Through this combination, the cell performance of PEO:LiDFOB can be connected to the initial SPE decomposition at the anode interface. It is found that PEO:LiDFOB had the highest capacity retention, which is correlated to having the least decomposition at the interface. This indicates that the lower SPE decomposition at the interface still creates a more effective decomposition layer, which is capable of preventing further electrolyte decomposition. Moreover, the PES results indicate formation of polyethylene in the SEI in cells based on PEO electrolytes. This is supported by AIMD that shows a polyethylene formation pathway through free-radical polymerization of ethylene.

Vacancy-Engineered Nickel Ferrite Forming-Free Low-Voltage Resistive Switches for Neuromorphic Circuits.

Innovations in resistive switching devices constitute a core objective for the development of ultralow-power computing devices. Forming-free resistive switching is a type of resistive switching that eliminates the need for an initial high voltage for the formation of conductive filaments and offers promising opportunities to overcome the limitations of traditional resistive switching devices. Here, we demonstrate mixed charge state oxygen vacancy-engineered electroforming-free resistive switching in NiFe2O4 (NFO) thin films, fabricated as asymmetric Ti/NFO/Pt heterostructures, for the first time. Using pulsed laser deposition in a controlled oxygen atmosphere, we tune the oxygen vacancies together with the cationic valence state in the nickel ferrite phase, with the latter directly affecting the charge state of the oxygen vacancies. The structural integrity and chemical composition of the films are confirmed by X-ray diffraction and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Electrical transport studies reveal that resistive switching characteristics in the films can be significantly altered by tuning the amount and charge state of the oxygen vacancy concentration during the deposition of the films. The resistive switching mechanism is seen to depend upon the migration of both singly and doubly charged oxygen vacancies formed as a result of changes in the nickel valence state and the consequent formation/rupture of conducting filaments in the switching layer. This is supported by the existence of an optimum oxygen vacancy concentration for efficient low-voltage resistive switching, below or above which the switching process is inhibited. Along with the filamentary switching mechanism, the Ti top electrode also enhances the resistive switching performance due to interfacial effects. Time-resolved measurements on the devices display both long- and short-term potentiation in the optimized vacancy-engineered NFO resistive switches, ideal for solid-state synapses achieved in a single system. Our work on correlated oxide forming-free resistive switches holds significant potential for CMOS-compatible low-power, nonvolatile resistive memory and neuromorphic circuits.

Intestinal dual-specificity phosphatase 6 regulates the cold-induced gut microbiota remodeling to promote white adipose browning.

Gut microbiota rearrangement induced by cold temperature is crucial for browning in murine white adipose tissue. This study provides evidence that DUSP6, a host factor, plays a critical role in regulating cold-induced gut microbiota rearrangement. When exposed to cold, the downregulation of intestinal DUSP6 increased the capacity of gut microbiota to produce ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The DUSP6-UDCA axis is essential for driving Lachnospiraceae expansion in the cold microbiota. In mice experiencing cold-room temperature (CR) transitions, prolonged DUSP6 inhibition via the DUSP6 inhibitor (E/Z)-BCI maintained increased cecal UDCA levels and cold-like microbiota networks. By analyzing DUSP6-regulated microbiota dynamics in cold-exposed mice, we identified Marvinbryantia as a genus whose abundance increased in response to cold exposure. When inoculated with human-origin Marvinbryantia formatexigens, germ-free recipient mice exhibited significantly enhanced browning phenotypes in white adipose tissue. Moreover, M. formatexigens secreted the methylated amino acid Nε-methyl-L-lysine, an enriched cecal metabolite in Dusp6 knockout mice that reduces adiposity and ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice. Our work revealed that host-microbiota coadaptation to cold environments is essential for regulating the browning-promoting gut microbiome.

Dominance of Tau Burden in Cortical Over Subcortical Regions Mediates Glymphatic Activity and Clinical Severity in PSP.

BACKGROUND: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a tauopathy that involves subcortical regions but also extends to cortical areas. The clinical impact of different tau protein sites and their influence on glymphatic dysfunction have not been investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants (n = 55; 65.6 ± 7.1 years; 29 women) with PSP (n = 32) and age-matched normal controls (NCs; n = 23) underwent 18 F-Florzolotau tau PET, MRI, PSP Rating Scale (PSPRS), and Mini-Mental State Examination. Cerebellar gray matter (GM) and parametric estimation of reference signal intensity were used as references for tau burden measured by SUV ratios. Glymphatic activity was measured by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS). RESULTS: Parametric estimation of reference signal intensity is a better reference than cerebellar GM to distinguish tau burden between PSP and NCs. PSP patients showed higher cortical and subcortical tau SUV ratios than NCs ( P < 0.001 and <0.001). Cortical and subcortical tau deposition correlated with PSPRS, UPDRS, and Mini-Mental State Examination scores (all P 's < 0.05). Cortical tau deposition was further associated with the DTI-ALPS index and frontal-temporal-parietal GM atrophy. The DTI-ALPS indexes showed a significantly negative correlation with the PSPRS total scores ( P < 0.01). Finally, parietal and occipital lobe tau depositions showed mediating effects between the DTI-ALPS index and PSPRS score. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical tau deposition is associated with glymphatic dysfunction and plays a role in mediating glymphatic dysfunction and clinical severity. Our results provide a possible explanation for the worsening of clinical severity in patients with PSP.

ProFun: A web server for functional enrichment analysis of parasitic protozoan genes.

BACKGROUND: The initial step to interpreting putative biological functions from comparative multi-omics studies usually starts from a differential expressed gene list followed by functional enrichment analysis (FEA). However, most FEA packages are designed exclusively for humans and model organisms. Although parasitic protozoan is the most important pathogen in the tropics, no FEA package is available for protozoan functional (ProFun) enrichment analysis. To speed up comparative multi-omics research on parasitic protozoans, we constructed ProFun, a web-based, user-friendly platform for the research community. METHODS: ProFun utilizes the Docker container, ShinyProxy, and R Shiny to construct a scalable web service with load-balancing infrastructure. We have integrated a series of visual analytic functions, in-house scripts, and custom-made annotation packages to create three analytical modules for 40 protozoan species: (1) Gene Overlaps; (2) Over-representation Analysis (ORA); (3) Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). RESULTS: We have established ProFun, a web server for functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes. FEA becomes as simple as pasting a list of gene IDs into the textbox of our website. Users can customize enrichment parameters and results with just one click. The intuitive web interface and publication-ready charts enable users to reveal meaningful biological events and pinpoint potential targets for further studies. CONCLUSION: ProFun is the first web application that enables gene functional enrichment analysis of parasitic protozoans. In addition to supporting FEA analysis, ProFun also allows the comparison of FEA results across complicated experimental designs. ProFun is freely available at http://dalek.cgu.edu.tw:8080/app/profun.

Reversible Molecular Conformation Transitions of Smectic Liquid Crystals for Light/Bias-Gated Transistor Memory.

In recent years, organic photonic field-effect transistors have made remarkable progress with the rapid development of conjugated polycrystalline materials. Liquid crystals, with their smooth surface, defined layer thickness, and crystalline structures, are commonly used for these advantages. In this work, a series of smectic liquid crystalline molecules, 2,9-didecyl-dinaphtho-thienothiophene (C10-DNTT), 2,7-didecyl-benzothieno-benzothiopene (C10-BTBT), 3,9-didecyl-dinaphtho-thiophene (C10-DNT), and didecyl-sexithiophene (C10-6T), have been used in photonic transistor memory, functioning as both hole-transport channels and electron traps to investigate systematically the reasons and mechanisms behind the memory behavior of smectic liquid crystals. After thermal annealing, C10-BTBT and C10-6T/C10-DNTT are homeotropically aligned from the smectic A and smectic X phases, respectively. The 3D-ordered structure of these smectic-aligned crystals contributed to efficient photowriting and electrical erasing processes. Among them, the device performance of C10-BTBT was particularly significant, with a memory window of 21 V. The memory ratio could reach 1.5 × 106 and maintain a memory ratio of over 3 orders after 10,000 s, contributing to its smectic A structure. Through the research, we confirmed the memory and light/bias-gated behaviors of these smectic liquid crystalline molecules, attributing them to reversible molecular conformation transitions and the inherent structural inhomogeneity inside the polycrystalline channel layer.

Evolutionary genomics of three agricultural pest moths reveals rapid evolution of host adaptation and immune-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the genotype of pest species provides an important baseline for designing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Recently developed long-read sequence technologies make it possible to compare genomic features of nonmodel pest species to disclose the evolutionary path underlying the pest species profiles. Here we sequenced and assembled genomes for 3 agricultural pest gelechiid moths: Phthorimaea absoluta (tomato leafminer), Keiferia lycopersicella (tomato pinworm), and Scrobipalpa atriplicella (goosefoot groundling moth). We also compared genomes of tomato leafminer and tomato pinworm with published genomes of Phthorimaea operculella and Pectinophora gossypiella to investigate the gene family evolution related to the pest species profiles. RESULTS: We found that the 3 solanaceous feeding species, P. absoluta, K. lycopersicella, and P. operculella, are clustered together. Gene family evolution analyses with the 4 species show clear gene family expansions on host plant-associated genes for the 3 solanaceous feeding species. These genes are involved in host compound sensing (e.g., gustatory receptors), detoxification (e.g., ABC transporter C family, cytochrome P450, glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase, insect cuticle proteins, and UDP-glucuronosyl), and digestion (e.g., serine proteases and peptidase family S1). A gene ontology enrichment analysis of rapid evolving genes also suggests enriched functions in host sensing and immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results of family evolution analyses indicate that host plant adaptation and pathogen defense could be important drivers in species diversification among gelechiid moths.

The development of audiovisual speech perception in Mandarin-speaking children: Evidence from the McGurk paradigm.

The developmental trajectory of audiovisual speech perception in Mandarin-speaking children remains understudied. This cross-sectional study in Mandarin-speaking 3- to 4-year-old, 5- to 6-year-old, 7- to 8-year-old children, and adults from Xiamen, China (n = 87, 44 males) investigated this issue using the McGurk paradigm with three levels of auditory noise. For the identification of congruent stimuli, 3- to 4-year-olds underperformed older groups whose performances were comparable. For the perception of the incongruent stimuli, a developmental shift was observed as 3- to 4-year-olds made significantly more audio-dominant but fewer audiovisual-integrated responses to incongruent stimuli than older groups. With increasing auditory noise, the difference between children and adults widened in identifying congruent stimuli but narrowed in perceiving incongruent ones. The findings regarding noise effects agree with the statistically optimal hypothesis.