Double Superconducting Dome and Triple Enhancement of T_{c} in the Kagome Superconductor CsV_{3}Sb_{5} under High Pressure.

CsV_{3}Sb_{5} is a newly discovered Z_{2} topological kagome metal showing the coexistence of a charge-density-wave (CDW)-like order at T^{*}=94 K and superconductivity (SC) at T_{c}=2.5 K at ambient pressure. Here, we study the interplay between CDW and SC in CsV_{3}Sb_{5} via measurements of resistivity, dc and ac magnetic susceptibility under various pressures up to 6.6 GPa. We find that the CDW transition decreases with pressure and experience a subtle modification at P_{c1}≈0.6-0.9 GPa before it vanishes completely at P_{c2}≈2 GPa. Correspondingly, T_{c}(P) displays an unusual M-shaped double dome with two maxima around P_{c1} and P_{c2}, respectively, leading to a tripled enhancement of T_{c} to about 8 K at 2 GPa. The obtained temperature-pressure phase diagram resembles those of unconventional superconductors, illustrating an intimated competition between CDW-like order and SC. The competition is found to be particularly strong for the intermediate pressure range P_{c1}≤P≤P_{c2} as evidenced by the broad superconducting transition and reduced superconducting volume fraction. The modification of CDW order around P_{c1} has been discussed based on the band structure calculations. This work not only demonstrates the potential to raise T_{c} of the V-based kagome superconductors, but also offers more insights into the rich physics related to the electron correlations in this novel family of topological kagome metals.

Proteomics and microscopy tools for the study of antimicrobial resistance and germination mechanisms of bacterial spores.

Bacterial spores are ubiquitous in nature and can withstand both chemical and physical stresses. Spores can survive food preservation processes and upon outgrowth cause food spoilage as well as safety risks. The heterogeneous germination and outgrowth behavior of isogenic spore populations exacerbates this risk. A major unknown factor of spores is likely to be the inherently heterogeneous spore protein composition. The proteomics methods discussed here help in broadening the knowledge about spore structure and identification of putative target proteins from spores of different spore formers. Approaches to synchronize Bacillus subtilis spore formation, and to analyze spore proteins as well as the physiology of spore germination and outgrowth are also discussed. Live-imaging and fluorescence microscopy techniques discussed here allow analysis, at single cell level, of the 'germinosome', the process of spore germination itself, spore outgrowth and the spore intracellular pH dynamics. For the latter, a recently published improved pHluorin (IpHluorin) under control of the ptsG promoter is applicable. While the data obtained from such tools offers novel insight in the mechanisms of bacterial spore awakening, it may also be used to probe candidate antimicrobial compounds for inhibitory effects on spore germination and strengthen microbial risk assessment.

Physiological responses to swimming fatigue in juvenile largemouth bronze gudgeon Coreius guichenoti.

Stepped velocity tests were conducted on juvenile largemouth bronze gudgeon Coreius guichenoti in a swim tunnel respirometer, and oxygen consumption increased with swimming speed to fatigue and then decreased during recovery. Serum levels of total protein, glucose and triglycerides initially decreased, increased at fatigue and then decreased during recovery. Levels stabilized after 120 min, corresponding to the time necessary to recover from fatigue.

[Application of Touch DNA in Investigation Practice].

With the continuous development of DNA extraction and testing technology, the DNA left at a crime scene plays a decisive role in the determination of criminal suspects in criminal investigation. But in the meanwhile, the anti-reconnaissance awareness of suspect is growing, which leads to a decrease of evidence left at scene during and after a crime. Therefore, in the process of evidence collection at scene, the finding and extraction of touch biological evidence, and the DNA detection are more and more important. At present, the proportion of touch evidence at the crime scene increases, which plays an increasingly important role in the detection of cases. However, with the characteristics of minute quantities, small size and secrecy, these touch evidence is difficult to be observed. What's more, various forms of pollution at the scene greatly accelerate the degradation rate of trace material, thus, the test and analysis of such material has become the emphasis and difficulty of the forensic evidence identification. This article reviews different kinds, collection and extraction methods of touch DNA, the factors that affect the detection and the problems may meet in the detection for providing an application prospect to the forensic practice.

Single molecule RNA sequencing uncovers trans-splicing and improves annotations in Anopheles stephensi.

Single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing has recently been used to obtain full-length cDNA sequences that improve genome annotation and reveal RNA isoforms. Here, we used one such method called isoform sequencing from Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) to sequence a cDNA library from the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. More than 600 000 full-length cDNAs, referred to as reads of insert, were identified. Owing to the inherently high error rate of PacBio sequencing, we tested different approaches for error correction. We found that error correction using Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) generated more data than using the default SMRT pipeline. The full-length error-corrected PacBio reads greatly improved the gene annotation of Anopheles stephensi: 4867 gene models were updated and 1785 alternatively spliced isoforms were added to the annotation. In addition, six trans-splicing events, where exons from different primary transcripts were joined together, were identified in An. stephensi. All six trans-splicing events appear to be conserved in Culicidae, as they are also found in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti. The proteins encoded by trans-splicing events are also highly conserved and the orthologues of these proteins are cis-spliced in outgroup species, indicating that trans-splicing may arise as a mechanism to rescue genes that broke up during evolution.

DCD liver transplant infection: experience from a single centre in China.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence, timing, location and risk factors for bacterial and fungal infections after donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplant and clearly delineate any relationship between infection and survival in DCD liver transplant recipients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 257 consecutive patients undergoing DCD liver transplant between October 2010 and May 2015 at our centre. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients (51.8%) developed at least one bacterial or fungal infection episode. The predominant infection site was the respiratory tract, followed by the blood stream. Most of the infections occurred within the first week after liver transplant (61.9%). A recipient respiratory support time greater than 7 days (p = 0.041), post-transplant hospital time greater than 24 days (p = 0.002) and renal failure after DCD liver transplant (p = 0.039) were independent predictors of bacterial and fungal infection. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the transplant infection risk assessment model was 0.788. The 1- and 3-year survival rates for recipients without infection were significantly increased compared with recipients with infection (96.1% and 89.0% vs. 81.5% and 75.9%, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: This is the first study that offers detailed data revealing the timing and incidence of bacterial and fungal infection among adult DCD liver transplant recipients. Bacterial and fungal infection occurs at a high rate during the first week after DCD liver transplant, especially in patients with prolonged respiratory support time and renal failure, and infection is related to increased hospital stay.

MicroRNAs of two medically important mosquito species: Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, single-stranded small RNAs that have important regulatory functions at the post-transcriptional level. In the present study, we characterize miRNAs in two divergent mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi, through deep sequencing of small RNAs spanning all developmental stages. We discovered eight novel miRNAs in Ae. aegypti and 20 novel miRNAs in An. stephensi, which enabled the first systematic analysis of miRNA evolution in mosquitos. We traced the phylogenetic history of all miRNAs in both species and report a rate of 0.055-0.13 miRNA net gain per million years. Most novel miRNAs originate de novo. Duplications that produced miRNA clusters and families are more common in Ae. aegypti than in An. stephensi. We also identified arm-switch as a source of new miRNAs. Expression profile analysis identified mosquito-specific miRNAs that showed strong stage-specific expression in one or both lineages. For example, the aae-miR-2941/2946 family represents the most abundant maternally deposited and zygotically transcribed miRNAs in Ae. aegypti. miR-2943 is a highly expressed zygotic miRNA in both Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi. Such information provides the basis from which to study the function of these miRNAs in biology common to all mosquitos or unique to one particular lineage.

Horizontal transmission of an R4 clade non-long terminal repeat retrotransposon between the divergent Aedes and Anopheles mosquito genera.

AaegR4_1 and AgamR4_1 are the sole R4 clade non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae, two species that diverged approximately 145-200 million years ago. Twelve full-length copies were found in Ae. aegypti and have less than 1% nucleotide (nt) divergence, suggesting recent activity on an evolutionary time scale. Five of these copies have intact open reading frames and the 3.6 kb open reading frame of AaegR4_1.1 has 78% nt identity to AgamR4_1.1. No intact copies were found in An. gambiae. Searches of 25 genomic databases for 22 mosquito species from three genera revealed R4 clade representatives in Aedes and Anopheles genera but not in Culex. Interestingly, these elements are present in all six species of the An. gambiae species complex that were searched but not in 13 other anopheline species. These results combined with divergence vs. age analysis suggest that horizontal transfer is the most likely explanation for the low divergence between R4 clade retrotransposon sequences of the divergent mosquito species from the Aedes and Anopheles genera. This is the first report of the horizontal transfer of an R4 clade non-LTR retrotransposon and the first report of the horizontal transfer of a non-LTR retrotransposon in mosquitoes.

Induction function of siRNA-mediated survivin gene silencing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell apoptosis.

We examined the function of survivin gene expression in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), as well as small interfering RNA (siRNA) on controlling CNE-2 NPC proliferation and apoptosis. Immunohistological methods, in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique were used to detect survivin protein and mRNA expression. We designed an siRNA sequence to inhibit survivin gene expression. The MTT method was used to examine the function of siRNA on controlling cell growth and proliferation. Induction of cell apoptosis by siRNA was examined by flow cytometry; electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructure changes in CNE-2 cells. Western blotting was used to detect survivin gene expression. The survivin protein was expressed in 71.9% of cells, while its mRNA was expressed in 65.6% of cells. Relative mRNA expression was 4.16 x 10(-2); these data for the control groups were 23.3, 33.3, and 4.42 x 10(-4), respectively. Following transfection with 3 different siRNA sequences, survivin mRNA expression in CNE-2 cells was decreased. Inhibition of cell proliferation and rate of apoptosis increased with increasing siRNA concentration. Western blotting revealed decreased survivin expression and electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in cancer cells. Survivin gene expression in NPC generally increased. In vitro transcription of siRNA decreased CNE-2 survivin gene expression, and different sequences of siRNA decrease gene expression in CNE-2 cells to varying degrees. Transfected siRNA3 can effectively inhibit CNE-2 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis; gene silencing using siRNA may represent a new treatment for NPC.

Gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to coronary artery disease in Han Chinese people.

This study investigated 5 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes in susceptibility genes for coronary artery disease (CAD) and the putative involvement of these SNPs in CAD in the Chi-nese Han population. From March 2008 to June 2009, we selected 119 CAD patients and 115 subjects not related to the CAD of Chinese Han or-igin as controls. The SNP genotypes were performed by multiplex SNaP-shot technology. The HNRPUL1 gene rs11881940T and GATA2 gene rs3803T loci were highly correlated with CAD (P < 0.05). rs10757278G increased the risk of CAD in patients indicated by an odds ratio (OR) = 1.242 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.49]; rs11881940T and rs3803T were protective factors for CAD with ORs = 0.767 (95%CI = 0.61-0.97) and 0.53 (95%CI = 0.40-0.72), respectively. Analysis of the rs10757278, rs11881940 and rs3803 loci showed that haplotypes ATC (OR = 4.26; 95%CI = 2.85-6.40, P < 0.01), GAC (OR = 1.50; 95%CI = 1.25-1.81, P < 0.01) and GAT (OR = 1.53; 95%CI = 1.12-2.09, P < 0.01) were CAD risk factors, whereas GTC was protective (OR = 0.48; 95%CI = 0.32-0.72, P < 0.01). ATC and glucose were positively correlated (OR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.01-3.61, P < 0.05). GAT was a risk factor for hyper-tension (OR = 2.86; 95%CI = 1.40-5.83, P < 0.01). In conclusion, poly-morphisms and haplotype analysis of susceptibility genes for CAD can improve predicting this disease and will enable early diagnosis of CAD.

A unique Y gene in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi encodes a small lysine-rich protein and is transcribed at the onset of embryonic development.

In many organisms the Y chromosome initiates sex determination and regulates male fertility and mating behaviour. However, molecular characterization of Y genes is rare outside of a few model species because it is difficult to clone and analyse repeat-rich heterochromatic Y sequences. In insects, Y genes are only well characterized in a small number of Drosophila species. Here we report the discovery of GUY1 (gene unique to the Y), a gene unique to the Y chromosome in the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, using an approach that compares Illumina sequences separately obtained from male and female genomic DNA. Experimental evidence confirmed that GUY1 is a single copy gene found only on the Y chromosome. GUY1 is transcribed at the very onset of zygotic transcription and encodes a small lysine-rich protein that forms two alpha helices and shows DNA-binding properties. Interestingly, three helix-loop-helix proteins are key factors that determine sex in the early embryo in Drosophila melanogaster. Single embryo analysis indicated that GUY1 is only transcribed in male embryos and that the GUY1 promoter is functional in the early embryos. GUY1 may be used as a paternally inherited molecular marker. Further investigation of GUY1 will contribute to the genetic approaches to control mosquito-borne diseases.

Bounds and phase diagram of efficiency at maximum power for tight-coupling molecular motors.

The efficiency at maximum power (EMP) for tight-coupling molecular motors is investigated within the framework of irreversible thermodynamics. It is found that the EMP depends merely on the constitutive relation between the thermodynamic current and force. The motors are classified into four generic types (linear, superlinear, sublinear, and mixed types) according to the characteristics of the constitutive relation, and then the corresponding ranges of the EMP for these four types of molecular motors are obtained. The exact bounds of the EMP are derived and expressed as the explicit functions of the free energy released by the fuel in each motor step. A phase diagram is constructed which clearly shows how the region where the parameters (the load distribution factor and the free energy released by the fuel in each motor step) are located can determine whether the value of the EMP is larger or smaller than 1/2. This phase diagram reveals that motors using ATP as fuel under physiological conditions can work at maximum power with higher efficiency (> 1/2) for a small load distribution factor (< 0.1).

Rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with long-lived perennial prairie plants vary in diversity, composition, and structure.

The goal of this research was to investigate the variation in rhizosphere microbial community composition, diversity, and structure among individual Andropogon gerardii Vitman (big bluestem) and Lespedeza capitata Michx. (bush clover). Bacterial communities from the rhizosphere of 10 plants of each species (n = 20 plants total) were explored using a culture-independent pipeline. Microbial communities associated with both host plants had high bacterial diversity within individual plant rhizosphere and taxa unique to individual rhizospheres. Bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere of A. gerardii were consistently more diverse than those associated with L. capitata, and there were significant differences between plant species in rhizosphere bacterial community composition. Differences included microbial taxa with no known functional relationship with their preferred host species, including sulfide-methylating obligate anaerobes (Holophaga), complete denitrifiers (Rhodoplanes), sludge inhabitants (Ktedonobacter), and nitrate oxidizers (Nitrospira). These results suggest the potential for plant species to have significant impacts on a broad array of ecosystem functions (e.g., cycling of carbon, nitrogen sulfurs, metals, and trace elements) via their selective impacts on soil microbes. However, sequence-based community analysis and the corresponding lack of intact microbial cultures limits understanding of the potential influences of enriched microbial taxa on plant hosts and their roles in ecosystem functioning.

Antigenicity and functional properties of ß-lactoglobulin conjugated with fructo-oligosaccharides in relation to conformational changes.

Bovine ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) was conjugated with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) by Maillard reaction to investigate the relationship among antigenicity, functional properties, and conformational changes of ß-LG. When comparing the antigenicity of ß-LG conjugated with FOS at different ratios, the lowest antigenicity of ß-LG was observed at a ratio of 1:4, which was about 7 times lower than that of the control ß-LG. Thus, the ratio of 1:4 was chosen to conjugate ß-LG with FOS, and the functional properties and conformational changes of ß-LG-FOS conjugates were investigated. The functional properties (solubility, emulsifying ability, and emulsion stability) of ß-LG were enhanced after conjugation with FOS. Furthermore, the molecular weight of ß-LG increased from 18.4 to 19.9 kDa after conjugation with FOS, as evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Partial unfolding of ß-LG occurred after conjugation with FOS, as reflected by the quenching of fluorescence, the red-shift of fluorescence spectra, and the increase of ß-strands, which may contribute to the decrease in antigenicity and the improvement of functional properties.

Tunable unconventional kagome superconductivity in charge ordered RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5.

Unconventional superconductors often feature competing orders, small superfluid density, and nodal electronic pairing. While unusual superconductivity has been proposed in the kagome metals AV3Sb5, key spectroscopic evidence has remained elusive. Here we utilize pressure-tuned and ultra-low temperature muon spin spectroscopy to uncover the unconventional nature of superconductivity in RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5. At ambient pressure, we observed time-reversal symmetry breaking charge order below [Formula: see text] 110 K in RbV3Sb5 with an additional transition at [Formula: see text] 50 K. Remarkably, the superconducting state displays a nodal energy gap and a reduced superfluid density, which can be attributed to the competition with the charge order. Upon applying pressure, the charge-order transitions are suppressed, the superfluid density increases, and the superconducting state progressively evolves from nodal to nodeless. Once optimal superconductivity is achieved, we find a superconducting pairing state that is not only fully gapped, but also spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry. Our results point to unprecedented tunable nodal kagome superconductivity competing with time-reversal symmetry-breaking charge order and offer unique insights into the nature of the pairing state.

Sigma-2 ligands induce tumour cell death by multiple signalling pathways.

BACKGROUND: The sigma-2 receptor has been identified as a biomarker of proliferating cells in solid tumours. In the present study, we studied the mechanisms of sigma-2 ligand-induced cell death in the mouse breast cancer cell line EMT-6 and the human melanoma cell line MDA-MB-435. METHODS: EMT-6 and MDA-MB-435 cells were treated with sigma-2 ligands. The modulation of multiple signaling pathways of cell death was evaluated. RESULTS: Three sigma-2 ligands (WC-26, SV119 and RHM-138) induced DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and PARP-1 cleavage. The caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK partially blocked DNA fragmentation and cytotoxicity caused by these compounds. These data suggest that sigma-2 ligand-induced apoptosis and caspase activation are partially responsible for the cell death. WC-26 and siramesine induced formation of vacuoles in the cells. WC-26, SV119, RHM-138 and siramesine increased the synthesis and processing of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, an autophagosome marker, and decreased the expression levels of the downstream effectors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6K and 4EBP1, suggesting that sigma-2 ligands induce autophagy, probably by inhibition of the mTOR pathway. All four sigma-2 ligands decreased the expression of cyclin D1 in a time-dependent manner. In addition, WC-26 and SV119 mainly decreased cyclin B1, E2 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb); RHM-138 mainly decreased cyclin E2; and 10 µM siramesine mainly decreased cyclin B1 and pRb. These data suggest that sigma-2 ligands also impair cell-cycle progression in multiple phases of the cell cycle. CONCLUSION: Sigma-2 ligands induce cell death by multiple signalling pathways.

Aggregation and conformational changes of bovine ß-lactoglobulin subjected to dynamic high-pressure microfluidization in relation to antigenicity.

Our previous research indicated that dynamic high-pressure microfluidization (DHPM) had a significant effect on the antigenicity of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG). In this study, aggregation and conformational changes subjected to DHPM (0.1-160 MPa) were investigated in relation to antigenicity. When DHPM pressure increased from 0.1 to 80 MPa, disaggregation of ß-LG samples and partial unfolding of the molecule were accompanied by an increase in ß-LG antigenicity, which was reflected in the decrease of particle size, increase of free sulfhydryl (SH) contents and ß-strands contents, and slight exposure of aromatic amino acid residues. At pressures above 80 MPa, the reaggregation of ß-LG may contribute to the decrease in antigenicity, which was reflected by an increase in particle size, the formation of aggregates, a decrease of in SH and ß-strands contents, and slight changes in aromatic amino acid residues. Aggregation and conformational changes of ß-LG under DHPM was related to its antigenicity.

Low-dissipation engines: Microscopic construction via shortcuts to adiabaticity and isothermality, the optimal relation between power and efficiency.

We construct a microscopic model of low-dissipation engines by driving a Brownian particle in a time-dependent harmonic potential. Shortcuts to adiabaticity and shortcuts to isothermality are introduced to realize the adiabatic and isothermal branches in a thermodynamic cycle, respectively. We derive an analytical formula of the efficiency at maximum power with explicit expressions of dissipation coefficients under the optimized protocols. When the relative temperature difference between the two baths in the cycle is insignificant, this expression satisfies the universal law of efficiency at maximum power up to the quadratic term of the Carnot efficiency. For large relative temperature differences, the efficiency at maximum power tends to be 1/2. Furthermore, we analyze the issue of power at any given efficiency for general low-dissipation engines and then obtain the supremum of the power in three limiting cases, respectively. These expressions of maximum power at given efficiency provide the optimal relations between power and efficiency which are tighter than the results in previous references.

Identification and analysis of HD-Zip genes involved in the leaf development of Liriodendron chinense using multidimensional analysis.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in different biological processes, especially leaf development. However, no studies to date have identified the HD-Zip genes in Liriodendron chinense nor characterized their functions. We identified the HD-Zip genes in L. chinense by analysing the phylogeny, chromosome location, structure, conserved motif, cis-regulatory elements, synteny, post-transcriptional regulation and expression patterns of these genes during leaf development. A total of 36 LcHD-Zip genes were identified and divided into four subfamilies (HD-Zip I to IV). Synteny analysis revealed that segmental duplication was the main force driving the expansion of LcHD-Zip genes. These 36 LcHD-Zip genes exhibited 11 different expression patterns. Pattern 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 genes may play important roles in leaf development, such as leaf initiation, leaf polarity establishment, leaf shape development, phytohormone-mediated leaf growth and leaf epidermal structure formation. Four HD-Zip III genes were targeted by microRNAs (miRNAs), and the miR165/166a-HD-Zip regulatory module formed regulated leaf initiation and leaf polarity establishment. Overall, LcHD-Zip genes play key roles in leaf development of L. chinense. This work provides a foundation for the functional verification of HD-Zip genes identified in this study.

Suprafascial plane endoscopy versus open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: Use of the Accordion Severity Grading System.

This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of modified endoscopic technique with a single portal from an external carpal tunnel approach for surgical operations in a suprafascial plane superficial to the transverse carpal ligament. Reversible nerve injury risk is threefold greater with a conventional endoscopic method than with open carpal tunnel release (OCTR), and this suprafascial plane endoscopic release (SPER) should circumvent the problem of hardware in the carpal tunnel encountered with the conventional endoscopic method and liable to cause iatrogenic damage to the median nerve. However, the surgical consequences of the new technique have not been studied. To fill this gap, a retrospective therapeutic study was conducted to compare negative outcomes versus open surgery. The Accordion Severity Grading System was used to grade complications from 0 to 3 according to necessity of treatment. Sequela and failure rates were also compared between the SPER and OCTR groups. Eighty-eight cases in 72 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (ICTS) met the inclusion criteria. SPER was performed in 28 hands in 27 patients, and OCTR in 60 hands in 49 patients. The results showed no significant difference in complication, sequela, or failure rates between groups (p > 0.05). Suprafascial plane endoscopic release, has certain advantages over the open method and was validated as a safe and effective method of treating ICTS.