Constricted posterior fourchette deformities: Definition, classification and surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Labiaplasty is one of the top cosmetic procedures patients are seeking in the past two years. However, treatment of disease in posterior fourchette caused by various etiological factors was less investigated and neglected. METHODS: Three types of posterior fourchette deformity were proposed: (1) Redundant posterior fourchette, (2) Relaxed posterior fourchette, and (3) Constricted posterior fourchette. Local flap transfer technique was applied. Y-V-plasty and 5-Z-Flap-plasty were used to treat web type and tight type of the constricted posterior fourchette, respectively. Follow-ups were arranged on the Internet or at the outpatient clinic. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was utilized to evaluate sexual discomfort in the satisfaction questionnaires during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients with constricted posterior fourchette deformity from May 2022 to May 2023 were reviewed in the study. Y-V-plasty could decrease VAS in patients with web-type deformity by 4.13 ± 1.46 (p＜0.001). 5-Z-Flap-plasty could decrease VAS in patients with tight-type deformity by 3.76 ± 1.53 (p＜0.05). Satisfaction rates of the web type and tight type were 93.1% (27/29) and 86.7% (13/15) respectively. Complications include two cases of hematoma, one case of persistent pain and two cases of dehiscence. CONCLUSION: Constricted posterior fourchette seriously affects the quality of life. Y-V-plasty and 5-Z-Flap-plasty can be utilized to treat the two subtypes of constricted posterior fourchette, which can effectively reduce the pain score of patients with high satisfaction and few long-term complications.

High-performance hybrid nanogenerator for self-powered wireless multi-sensing microsystems.

Wireless sensor network nodes are widely used in wearable devices, consumer electronics, and industrial electronics and are a crucial component of the Internet of Things (IoT). Recently, advanced power technology with sustainable energy supply and pollution-free characteristics has become a popular research focus. Herein, to realize an unattended and reliable power supply unit suitable for distributed IoT systems, we develop a high-performance triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (TEHNG) to harvest mechanical energy. The TEHNG achieves a high load power of 21.8 mW by implementing improvements of material optimization, configuration optimization and pyramid microstructure design. To realize a self-powered integrated microsystem, a power management module, energy storage module, sensing signal processing module, and microcontroller unit are integrated into the TEHNG. Furthermore, an all-in-one wireless multisensing microsystem comprising the TEHNG, the abovementioned integrated functional circuit and three sensors (temperature, pressure, and ultraviolet) is built. The milliwatt microsystem operates continuously with the TEHNG as the only power supply, achieving self-powered operations of sensing environmental variables and transmitting wireless data to a terminal in real time. This shows tremendous application potential in the IoT field.

Patterned Nanoparticle Arrays Fabricated Using Liquid Film Rupture Self-Assembly.

Self-assembly is an important bottom-up fabrication approach based on accurate manipulation of solid-air-liquid interfaces to construct microscale structures using nanoscale materials. This approach plays a substantial role in the fabrication of microsensors, nanosensors, and actuators. Improving the controllability of self-assembly to realize large-scale regular micro/nano patterns is crucial for this approach's further development and wider applications. Herein, we propose a novel strategy for patterning nanoparticle arrays on soft substrates. This strategy is based on a unique process of liquid film rupture self-assembly that is convenient, precise, and cost-efficient for mass manufacturing. This approach involves two key steps. First, suspended liquid films comprising monolayer polystyrene (PS) spheres are realized via liquid-air interface self-assembly over prepatterned microstructures. Second, these suspended liquid films are ruptured in a controlled manner to induce the self-assembly of internal PS spheres around the morphological edges of the underlying microstructures. This nanoparticle array patterning method is comprehensively investigated in terms of the effect of the PS sphere size, morphological effect of the microstructured substrate, key factors influencing liquid film-rupture self-assembly, and optical transmittance of the fabricated samples. A maximum rupture rate of 95.4% was achieved with an optimized geometric and dimensional design. Compared with other nanoparticle-based self-assembly methods used to form patterned arrays, the proposed approach reduces the waste of nanoparticles substantially because all nanoparticles self-assemble around the prepatterned microstructures. More nanoparticles assemble to form prepatterned arrays, which could strengthen the nanoparticle array network without affecting the initial features of prepatterned microstructures.

Digital interventions empowering mental health reconstruction among students after the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the gradual end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the reconstruction of students' mental health is urgently necessary. Digital interventions offer advantages such as high accessibility, anonymity, and accurate identification, which can promote the reconstruction of students' mental health through the provision of psychological support platforms, psychological assessment tools, and online mental health activities. However, we recognize that digital interventions must undergo many adjustments, and corresponding ethical norms require further clarification. It is crucial for different stakeholders to collaborate and work toward maximizing the effectiveness of digital interventions for the reconstruction of mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Silicone Rubber Based-Conductive Composites for Stretchable "All-in-One" Microsystems.

Wearable electronics with development trends such as miniaturization, multifunction, and smart integration have become an important part of the Internet of Things (IoT) and have penetrated various sectors of modern society. To meet the increasing demands of wearable electronics in terms of deformability and conformability, many efforts have been devoted to overcoming the nonstretchable and poor conformal properties of traditional functional materials and endowing devices with outstanding mechanical properties. One of the promising approaches is composite engineering in which traditional functional materials are incorporated into the various polymer matrices to develop different kinds of functional composites and construct different functions of stretchable electronics. Herein, we focus on the approach of composite engineering and the polymer matrix of silicone rubber (SR), and we summarize the state-of-the-art details of silicone rubber-based conductive composites (SRCCs), including a summary of their conductivity mechanisms and synthesis methods and SRCC applications for stretchable electronics. For conductivity mechanisms, two conductivity mechanisms of SRCC are emphasized: percolation theory and the quantum tunneling mechanism. For synthesis methods of SRCCs, four typical approaches to synthesize different kinds of SRCCs are investigated: mixing/blending, infiltration, ion implantation, and in situ formation. For SRCC applications, different functions of stretchable electronics based on SRCCs for interconnecting, sensing, powering, actuating, and transmitting are summarized, including stretchable interconnects, sensors, nanogenerators, antennas, and transistors. These functions reveal the feasibility of constructing a stretchable all-in-one self-powered microsystem based on SRCC-based stretchable electronics. As a prospect, this microsystem is expected to integrate the functional sensing modulus, the energy harvesting modulus, and the process and response modulus together to sense and respond to environmental stimulations and human physiological signals.

Toxic effects of AZD1208 on mouse oocytes and its possible mechanisms.

AZD1208, a pan-inhibitor that can effectively inhibit PIM kinase, is used for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and malignant lymphomas. Numerous studies have proved its curative effects while its potential cellular toxicity on reproduction was still little known. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of AZD1208 on mouse oocytes. The results showed that AZD1208 treatment did not affect meiotic resumption, but postponed oocyte maturation as indicated by delayed first polar body extrusion. Further mechanistic study showed that AZD1208 treatment delayed spindle assembly. In addition, we found that oocytes treated with AZD1208 showed mitochondrial dysfunction. Abnormal mitochondrial clusters with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential were observed in oocytes during incubation in vitro. Moreover, increased oxidative stress was observed by testing the level of reactive oxygen species. In summary, our results suggest that AZD1208 treatment influences oocyte meiotic progression by causing mitochondrial dysfunctions and subsequent delayed spindle assembly.

Study on the technology of efficient extraction of eleutheroside E from Acanthopanax senticosus by green solvent DES.

OBJECTIVES: Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Harms is a medicinal and edible plant which is clinically used for the recovery and treatment of cardiovascular and central diseases. As a characteristic active pharmaceutical ingredient of Acanthopanax senticosus, eleutheroside E is the core of the therapeutic effect. Organic solvent extraction has low selectivity, low extraction rate, difficulty in separation and purification and safety risks. The purpose of this study was to extract the effective component of Acanthopanax senticosus with a new green solvent. METHODS: In this article, two kinds of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) (DES-1 and DES-2) were synthesised by heating and stirring methods. Eleutheroside E was extracted by ultrasonic extraction with two kinds of DES as extractants and quantitatively analysed by Orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). RESULTS: The main results showed that the initial polarity of the DES was similar to that of 60 to 80% ethanol and hydrogen bond donors were the main factors affecting the polarity of DES. In the test, the viscosity of DES was higher than that of ethanol, and even the addition of a small amount of water (10%) caused intermolecular hydrogen bond disruption and redistribution of the solvent, resulting in a significant decrease in solvent viscosity. The solvents in the test group were stable after standing at 5°C in the dark for 100 days. The extraction rate of eleutheroside E by DES solvent was 5-6 times higher than that by ethanol. DES-1 and DES-2 can efficiently extract eleutheroside E. CONCLUSION: This study developed a new method for the application of the green extraction of eleutheroside E with certain practical significance.

OTSSP167 leads to follicular dysplasia and negatively affects oocyte quality in mice.

OTSSP167 is an anti-tumor drug significantly inhibiting tumor growth in xenotransplantation studies using mouse breast, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Its phase I clinical trial has been completed, indicating its great potential for future treatment of solid tumors. However, its drug-related adverse effects on reproductive systems have not yet been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of OTSSP167 on reproduction of female mice by determining oocyte quality and follicular development. We selected four-week-old female ICR mice for a 21-day intraperitoneal injection of OTSSP167 at a dose of 5 mg/kg/d. We found that OTSSP167 could block the meiotic process of oocytes, leading to a decrease in oocyte maturation and ovulated oocyte numbers, as well as a decrease in the quality of oocytes. The results showed that OTSSP167 treatment caused disordered spindle assembly, decreased mitochondria membrane potential, and increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species in oocytes. Further investigation showed that OTSSP167 induced DNA double-strand breaks, as indicated by increased levels of γH2AX in oocytes of primordial follicles and granulosa cells of growing follicles, which induced follicular atresia and decreased the numbers of follicles at various growing stages. Our study suggests that OTSSP167 treatment may have serious effects on the ovary and consequences for female cancer patients, providing strong evidence for the necessity of protecting female fertility in clinical OTSSP167 trials.

Effect of boiling on texture of abalone muscles and its mechanism based on proteomic techniques.

The precise mechanism of texture changes in abalone muscles during boiling was investigated using quantitative proteomic analysis. A total 353 water-soluble proteins were identified in fresh abalone muscle. The number was decreased to 233 (6 min) and 201 (30 min), and then increased to 271 (240 min) during boiling. The undetectable protein in water-soluble fraction caused by boiling mainly belong to hemocyanins, protein kinases, dehydrogenases, phosphorylases, and transferases, while the newly identified proteins in water-soluble fraction during boiling mainly belong to collagen and myofibrillar proteins (MPs).Additionally, results also showed that boiling caused protein oxidation, denaturation, aggregation, crosslinking and degradation. Combined with the texture changes of abalone muscles during boiling, it was speculated that the oxidation, denaturation, aggregation and crosslinking of proteins led to the increase of shear force, however, the degradation of structural proteins such as MPs and collagen caused the decreases in shear force and hardness.

Epitalon protects against post-ovulatory aging-related damage of mouse oocytes in vitro.

The developmental potential of oocytes decreases with time after ovulation in vivo or in vitro. Epitalon is a synthetic short peptide made of four amino acids (alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine), based on a natural peptide called epithalamion extracted from the pineal gland. It is a potent antioxidant, comparable to melatonin, that may confer longevity benefits. The current study aims to test the protective effects of Epitalon on the quality of post-ovulatory aging oocytes. Epitalon at 0.1mM was added to the culture medium, and the quality of oocytes was evaluated at 6h, 12h, and 24h of culture. We found that 0.1mM Epitalon reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species. Epitalon treatment significantly decreased frequency of spindle defects and abnormal distribution of cortical granules during aging for 12h and 24h, while increased mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA copy number of mitochondria, thus decreasing apoptosis of oocytes by 24h of in vitro aging. Our results suggest that Epitalon can delay the aging process of oocytes in vitro via modulating mitochondrial activity and ROS levels.

Kinetochore scaffold 1 regulates SAC function during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

Precise regulation of chromosome separation through spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) during oocyte meiosis is critical for mammalian reproduction. The kinetochore plays an important role in the regulation of SAC through sensing microtubule tension imbalance or missing microtubule connections. Here, we report that kinetochore scaffold 1 (KNL1, also known as CASC5), an outer kinetochore protein, plays a critical role in the SAC function of mouse oocytes. KNL1 localized at kinetochores from GVBD to the MII stage, and microinjection of KNL1-siRNA caused accelerated metaphase-anaphase transition and premature first meiosis completion, producing aneuploid eggs. The SAC was prematurely silenced in the presence of unstable kinetochore-microtubule attachments and misaligned chromosomes in KNL1-depleted oocytes. Additionally, KNL1 and MPS1 had a synergistic effect on the activation and maintenance of SAC. Taken together, our results suggest that KNL1, as a kinetochore platform protein, stabilizes SAC to ensure timely anaphase entry and accurate chromosome segregation during oocyte meiotic maturation.

The micro-volume liquid focusing effect in Janus membrane and its biosensing application.

The micro-volume analysis and specific detection are both essential requirements in the field of chemical sensing and biological testing. Membrane prefiltration can be used to improve the selectivity and accuracy of detection. But for traditional porous membrane filtration, it is difficult to achieve the transmembrane transport of micro-volume liquid due to the influence of lateral diffusion on membrane surface. Herein, we studied the focused transmembrane transport of micro-volume liquid in the porous polyethersulfone membrane with asymmetric (Janus) surface wettability. The hydrophilic layer (polydopamine) and hydrophobic layer (fluoropolymer) were deposited with controllable thickness by dip-coating and roller-assisted liquid printing. The micro-volume liquid focusing effect was verified by experiments such as visual wetting circle and fluorescent tracer. The liquid focusing effect of as-prepared Janus membrane was integrated with glucose test strip in the application of micro-volume liquid biosensing. Compared with conventional porous membrane, detected signal amplitude and response time were improved 7.5× and 2.7×, respectively. In summary, this research studied the dynamics of liquid transport through Janus membrane and provides a new strategy for microfluidic detection applications through balancing detection volume, time and selectivity by the advantage of micro-volume liquid focusing effect.

Wearable multi-sensing double-chain thermoelectric generator.

Wearable electronics play a crucial role in advancing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, and as an attractive future vision, all-in-one wearable microsystems integrating powering, sensing, actuating and other functional components on a single chip have become an appealing tendency. Herein, we propose a wearable thermoelectric generator (ThEG) with a novel double-chain configuration to simultaneously realize sustainable energy harvesting and multi-functional sensing. In contrast to traditional single-chain ThEGs with the sole function of thermal energy harvesting, each individual chain of the developed double-chain thermoelectric generator (DC-ThEG) can be utilized to scavenge heat energy, and moreover, the combination of the two chains can be employed as functional sensing electrodes at the same time. The mature mass-fabrication technology of screen printing was successfully introduced to print n-type and p-type thermoelectric inks atop a polymeric substrate to form thermocouples to construct two independent chains, which makes this DC-ThEG flexible, high-performance and cost-efficient. The emerging material of silk fibroin was employed to cover the gap of the fabricated two chains to serve as a functional layer for sensing the existence of liquid water molecules in the air and the temperature. The powering and sensing functions of the developed DC-ThEG and their interactions were systematically studied via experimental measurements, which proved the DC-ThEG to be a robust multi-functional power source with a 151 mV open-circuit voltage. In addition, it was successfully demonstrated that this DC-ThEG can convert heat energy to achieve a 3.3 V output, matching common power demands of wearable electronics, and harvest biothermal energy to drive commercial electronics (i.e., a calculator). The integration approach of powering and multi-functional sensing based on this new double-chain configuration might open a new chapter in advanced thermoelectric generators, especially in the applications of all-in-one self-powered microsystems.

Spatial-temporal evolution and prediction of urban landscape pattern and habitat quality based on CA-Markov and InVEST model.

The change of urban landscape caused by human activities is one of the most important factors affecting terrestrial ecosystem. The distribution of urban landscape pattern has great impacts on the service function of regional biodiversity. To reveal the variation of landscape pattern and habi-tat quality in cities and its driving factors, we extracted landscape type information of Wuhan in 2005, 2010, 2015, and analyzed spatial-temporal evolution of landscape pattern using Markov transition model. The CA-Markov model was used to simulate the landscape pattern in 2020 under the natural growth scenario. The driving factor for landscape variation was analyzed using Logistic regression model. Combined with InVEST model, spatial pattern of habitat quality and its variation in three phases were calculated and evaluated. The simulated habitat quality in 2020 was obtained and its distribution characteristics were analyzed. The relationship between variation of landscape pattern and human activities was explored. The results showed that cultivated land and manufactured surface were the landscape types with highest variations between 2005 and 2015. The area of cultivated land continued to decline, with most of the area being transferred into manufactured surface. The area of manufactured surface continued to increase, most of which was transferred from paddy field and dry land. From 2005 to 2015, the habitat quality declined, with a large number of landscapes with high habitat quality level being changed to low habitat quality level. The overall index of habitat quality decreased and the biodiversity service function declined, indicating the degeneration of habitat quality. In 2015-2020, the evolutionary trend of landscape pattern and habitat quality would keep consistent with the past decade, with an increasing area of artificial surface, decreasing index of habitat quality, weakening biodiversity service function, and degenerating habitat quality. The most important factor accounted for the landscape pattern change in the study area was the changes in Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and regional fiscal revenue. Human socio-economic activities were the key driving force for the spatial variation of landscape and degeneration of habitat quality. Urbanization and land reclamation by filling lakes were the main reasons for landscape pattern variation in Wuhan.

[Discussion on the micro-plastic operative treatment of nasal-septum deviation combined with crooked nose].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the micro-plastic operative treatment of deviated nose combined with nasal septum deviation. METHODS: We designed the incision at the caudal side of the nasal septum. The three-line reduction method for correcting nasal septum deviation was performed. The connection of the caudal nasal septum and the anterior nasal spine was reposited. The micro-plastic surgery with fixed suture was used to correct the deviated nose. RESULTS: After the surgery, the nasal septum deviation was corrected, whose nasal function and symptoms improved without nasal adhesion, nasal septum perforation or other complications. Meanwhile, the nasal tips were in the middle place and nasal dorsums were straight. The aesthetic outcome was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the traditional orthopedic technique, the micro-shaping technique can be used for the homochromous operation of crooked nose combined with nasal septum deviation with less injury and lower risk. We suggest this micro-shaping technique be used in a rational way.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles altered by Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa and blood leukocyte DNA.

PURPOSE: To investigate Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) associated genome-wide aberrant methylation patterns in gastric mucosa and blood leukocyte DNA, a population-based study was conducted in Linqu County. RESULTS: A total of 3000 and 386 CpGs were differentially methylated after successful H.pylori eradication in gastric mucosa and blood leukocyte DNA respectively, and 17 were the same alteration trend in the both tissues. The differentially methylated CpGs were located more frequently in promoters or CpG islands for gastric mucosa and gene body or open sea for blood leukocyte DNA. In eradicated gastric mucosa, the hypermethylated CpGs were enriched across inflammatory pathways, while the hypomethylated CpGs in tube morphogenesis, development and so on. The final validation found lower SPI1, PRIC285 and S1PR4 methylation levels in H.pylori positive subjects by case-control comparison, and increased methylation levels in H.pylori eradicated gastric mucosa by self-comparison. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database analysis suggested that the up-regulation of the three genes by hypomethylation might be associated with gastric carcinogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Infinium HumanMethylation 450K BeadChip was used to compare methylation profiles prior to and after eradication treatment. The methylation levels of identified candidate differentially methylated genes before and after H.pylori eradication were further validated by two stages (Stage I: self-comparison of 16 subjects before and after anti-H.pylori treatment; Stage II: case-control comparison of 25 H.pylori positive and 25 negative subjects and self-comparison of 50 anti-H.pylori treated subjects). CONCLUSIONS: Novel H.pylori associated aberrant methylated genes were identified across the whole genome both in gastric mucosa and blood leukocyte DNA.

Hypomethylation of repetitive elements in blood leukocyte DNA and risk of gastric lesions in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: To explore the association between hypomethylation of repetitive elements (LINE-1, Sat2, and ALU) in blood leukocyte DNA and risks of gastric lesions, and development of gastric cancer (GC), a population-based study was conducted in a high-risk area of GC in China. MATERIALS: Methylation levels were determined by MethyLight in 902 subjects with various gastric lesions from two cohort studies at baseline and 276 subjects with long-term follow-up data. RESULTS: The frequency of LINE-1 or Sat2 hypomethylation was significantly increased in subjects with dysplasia (DYS) compared with superficial gastritis/chronic atrophic gastritis. The odds ratios (ORs) were 2.22 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-3.40] for LINE-1 and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.14-2.21) for Sat2. A dose-response pattern was found for the risk of DYS and LINE-1 hypomethylation (P-trend<0.001). Further stratified analysis indicated that the frequency of LINE-1 or Sat2 hypomethylation was higher in subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection. The ORs were 1.83 (95% CI: 1.12-2.99) for LINE-1 and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.01-2.05) for Sat2. The follow-up data indicated that the risk of progression to GC was increased in intestinal metaplasia (IM) subjects with LINE-1 hypomethylation (OR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.17-6.77) or Sat2 hypomethylation (OR=2.78; 95% CI: 1.15-6.74). The risk of progression to GC was also increased in DYS subjects with Sat2 hypomethylation (OR=5.24; 95% CI: 2.00-13.74). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hypomethylation of repetitive elements in blood leukocytes is associated with the risks of advanced gastric lesions and development of GC.

Exendin-4 Enhances Motor Function Recovery via Promotion of Autophagy and Inhibition of Neuronal Apoptosis After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

Autophagy occurs prior to apoptosis and plays an important role in cell death regulation during spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to determine the effects and potential mechanism of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist extendin-4 (Ex-4) in SCI. Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham, SCI, 2.5 µg Ex-4, and 10 µg Ex-4 groups. To induce SCI, a 10-g iron rod was dropped from a 20-mm height to the spinal cord surface. Ex-4 was administered via intraperitoneal injection immediately after surgery. Motor function evaluation with the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale indicated significantly increased scores (p < 0.01) in the Ex-4-treated groups, especially 10 µg, which demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of Ex-4 after SCI. The light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and Beclin 1 protein expression determined via western blot and the number of autophagy-positive neurons via immunofluorescence double labeling were increased by Ex-4, which supports promotion of autophagy (p < 0.01). The caspase-3 protein level and neuronal apoptosis via transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)/NeuN/DAPI double labeling were significantly reduced in the Ex-4-treated groups, which indicates anti-apoptotic effects (p < 0.01). Finally, histological assessment via Nissl staining demonstrated the Ex-4 groups exhibited a significantly greater number of surviving neurons and less cavity (p < 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate that Ex-4 significantly enhances motor function in rats after SCI, and these effects are associated with the promotion of autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis.

Flatbands in 2D boroxine-linked covalent organic frameworks.

Density functional calculations have been performed to analyze the electronic and mechanical properties of a number of 2D boroxine-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which are experimentally fabricated from di-borate aromatic molecules. Furthermore, the band structures are surprising and show flat-band characteristics which are mainly attributed to the delocalized π-conjugated electrons around the phenyl rings and can be better understood within aromaticity theories. Next, the effects of branch sizes and hydrostatic strains on their band structures are systematically considered within generalized gradient approximations. It is found that their band gaps will start to saturate when the branch size reaches 9. For boroxine-linked COFs with only one benzene ring in the branch, the band gap is robust under compressive strain while it decreases with the tensile strain increasing. When the branch size is equal or greater than 2, their band gaps will monotonously increase with the strain increasing in the range of [-1.0, 2.0] Å. All boroxine-linked COFs are semiconductors with controllable band gaps, depending on the branch length and the applied strain. In comparison with other 2D materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, and even γ-graphyne, all boroxine-linked COFs are much softer and even more stable. That is, they can maintain the planar features under a larger compressive strain, which means that they are good candidates in flexible electronics.

[The Methylation of p16 Gene Promoter in Carcinogenesis and Development of Breast Cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protein expression of the p16 gene and the methylation of its promoter in breast cancer, and to analyze the correlation between the p16 DNA methylation and the clinicopathological features. METHODS: Immuno-histochemistry technique (SP method) and methylation-specific-PCR (MSP) were used to detect p16 protein expression and the methylation of the p16 promoter in 47 breast cancer samples as well as in 20 hyperplasia samples of mammary glands. Results The p16 protein expression in breast cancer samples significantly lower when compared with those of hyperplasia samples (48. 9% vs. 70. 0%) and p16 methylation was more frequent in breast-tumor tissues when compared with those of hyperplasia samples (38. 3% vs. 20. 0%), but the statistical significance wasn't found (P> 0. 05). Down-regulation of p16 protein was negatively correlation with p16 gene hypermethylation (r= -0. 33, P =0. 02). Meanwhile, p16 methylation in breast cancer tissues correlated with histological type, lymph node metastasis, but not correlated with the age, tumor diameter, TNM stage, expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) gene status. CONCLUSION: The downregulation of p16 protein induced by promoter methylation of p16 gene may not contribute to early cancinogenesis, but may contribute to progression of breast cancer.