Application of Cinnamomum burmannii Essential Oil in Promoting Wound Healing

Skin wounds, leading to infections and death, have a huge negative impact on healthcare systems around the world. Antibacterial therapy and the suppression of excessive inflammation help wounds heal. To date, the application of wound dressings, biologics and biomaterials (hydrogels, epidermal growth factor, stem cells, etc.) is limited due to their difficult and expensive preparation process. Cinnamomum burmannii (Nees & T. Nees) Blume is an herb in traditional medicine, and its essential oil is rich in D-borneol, with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is not clear whether Cinnamomum burmannii essential oil has the function of promoting wound healing. This study analyzed 32 main components and their relative contents of essential oil using GC-MS. Then, network pharmacology was used to predict the possible targets of this essential oil in wound healing. We first proved this essential oil's effects in vitro and in vivo. Cinnamomum burmannii essential oil could not only promote the proliferation and migration of skin stromal cells, but also promote M2-type polarization of macrophages while inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study explored the possible mechanism by which Cinnamomum burmannii essential oil promotes wound healing, providing a cheap and effective strategy for promoting wound healing.

Compartmentalized pressurization is a novel prognostic factor for hypercontractile esophagus

BACKGROUND

Hypercontractile esophagus (HE) is a disorder of increased esophageal body contractile strength on high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM). Compartmentalized pressurization (CP) is a pattern with an isobaric contour of >30 mmHg extending from the contractile front to the lower esophageal sphincter on HREM. The relevance of CP to HE has yet to be explored.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on 830 HREM studies of patients to identify HE. HE patients' CP status and symptoms by Eckardt score (ES) were reviewed. Diagnoses were made using Chicago Classification (CC) v4.0.

KEY RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (5.6%) were identified as having HE by CCv3, 30 (3.6%) of which had HE by CCv4. 11/30 HE patients had CP, and 19/30 did not. CP was associated with chronic opioid use (36.4% vs. 5.3% p = 0.047). Presenting ES was greater for HE patients with CP (7 vs. 4). Seven HE patients with CP and 11 without CP were managed medically. ES after medical therapy was higher in HE patients with CP compared to those without CP (9 vs. 0). No HE patients with CP responded to medical therapy. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significance of this association over time. 83% of all HE patients had all-cause symptom remission.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

HE patients with CP are associated with a higher presenting ES. HE patients with CP do not respond to medical therapy, while HE patients without CP frequently do respond. CP in HE may have prognostic value in determination of treatment strategy for patients with HE.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Muscarinic receptor agonist-induced βPix binding to β-catenin promotes colon neoplasia

M3 muscarinic receptors (M3R) modulate β-catenin signaling and colon neoplasia. CDC42/RAC guanine nucleotide exchange factor, βPix, binds to β-catenin in colon cancer cells, augmenting β-catenin transcriptional activity. Using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches, we explored whether these actions are regulated by M3R. At the invasive fronts of murine and human colon cancers, we detected co-localized nuclear expression of βPix and β-catenin in stem cells overexpressing M3R. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, proximity ligand, and fluorescent cell sorting assays in human tissues and established and primary human colon cancer cell cultures, we detected time-dependent M3R agonist-induced cytoplasmic and nuclear association of βPix with β-catenin. βPix knockdown attenuated M3R agonist-induced human colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and expression of PTGS2, the gene encoding cyclooxygenase-2, a key player in colon neoplasia. Overexpressing βPix dose-dependently augmented β-catenin binding to the transcription factor TCF4. In a murine model of sporadic colon cancer, advanced neoplasia was attenuated in conditional knockout mice with intestinal epithelial cell deficiency of βPix. Expression levels of β-catenin target genes and proteins relevant to colon neoplasia, including c-Myc and Ptgs2, were reduced in colon tumors from βPix-deficient conditional knockout mice. Targeting the M3R/βPix/β-catenin axis may have therapeutic potential.

Selective Activation of M1 Muscarinic Receptors Attenuates Human Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation

M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) activation stimulates colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; M3R expression is augmented in colon cancer and ablating M3R expression in mice attenuates colon neoplasia. Several lines of investigation suggest that in contrast to these pro-neoplastic effects of M3R, M1R plays an opposite role, protecting colon epithelial cells against neoplastic transformation. To pursue these intriguing findings, we examined the relative expression of M1R versus M3R in progressive stages of colon neoplasia and the effect of treating colon cancer cells with selective M1R agonists. We detected divergent expression of M1R and M3R in progressive colon neoplasia, from aberrant crypt foci to adenomas, primary colon cancers, and colon cancer metastases. Treating three human colon cancer cell lines with two selective M1R agonists, we found that in contrast to the effects of M3R activation, selective activation of M1R reversibly inhibited cell proliferation. Moreover, these effects were diminished by pre-incubating cells with a selective M1R inhibitor. Mechanistic insights were gained using selective chemical inhibitors of post-muscarinic receptor signaling molecules and immunoblotting to demonstrate M1R-dependent changes in the activation (phosphorylation) of key downstream kinases, EGFR, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK. We did not detect a role for drug toxicity, cellular senescence, or apoptosis in mediating M1R agonist-induced attenuated cell proliferation. Lastly, adding M1R-selective agonists to colon cancer cells augmented the anti-proliferative effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Collectively, these results suggest that selective M1R agonism for advanced colon cancer, alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, is a therapeutic strategy worth exploring.

Erratum: Global Polarization of Ξ and Ω Hyperons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 162301 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.162301.

Research progress of nanomaterial drug delivery in tumor targeted therapy

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in human society, and its incidence is gradually increasing. However, the current tumor treatment often meets the problem of poor efficacy and big side effects. The unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can target the delivery of drugs to tumors, which can improve the therapeutic effect while reducing the damage of drugs to normal cells. This makes nanomaterials become a hot topic in the field of biomedicine. This review summarizes the recent progress of nanomaterials in tumor targeted therapy.

Gastric Pneumatosis in the Setting of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Gastric pneumatosis, an uncommon radiologic finding characterized by the presence of gas within the gastric wall, presents a diagnostic challenge due to its association with both benign gastric emphysema and more severe emphysematous gastritis. The contrasting outcomes and management approaches for these conditions underscore the necessity for accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention. We present a case of a 29-year-old female with a medical history significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus who presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Initial evaluation revealed elevated blood glucose levels, an anion gap metabolic acidosis, and evidence of gastric pneumatosis on imaging. The patient was managed with aggressive fluid resuscitation and intravenous insulin therapy per diabetic ketoacidosis protocol. General surgery evaluation ruled out the need for acute surgical intervention and attributed the gastric pneumatosis to increased intragastric pressures from prolonged vomiting. The patient was managed with conservative measures, including nasogastric tube decompression and antibiotics. Over the course of a few days, the patient showed signs of clinical and radiologic improvement, with a resolution of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate management strategies tailored to the underlying pathology to optimize patient outcomes in cases of gastric pneumatosis.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy Is an Effective Treatment Option for Managing Jackhammer Esophagus: A Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Jackhammer esophagus (JE) is a rare hypercontractile motility disorder often associated with dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain. In patients with clinically relevant symptoms, treatment options aim to decrease esophageal contractions. Medical, endoscopic and surgical therapies have limited long-term efficacy. The advent of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has evolved as a minimally invasive treatment option. Yet data regarding JE is scare. As such we aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of JE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a single center retrospective study of consecutive adult patients undergoing POEM for JE from April 2018 to September 2021. All procedures were conducted by a single endoscopist. Primary outcome was clinical success, defined as Eckardt score (ES) ≤3 following the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients (mean age 58, 7 females) underwent POEM with a mean duration of symptoms of 42.6 months. Preprocedure mean ES was 8.92. Nine patients were treatment naive. Pre-POEM endoluminal functional luminal imaging probe (n=10) demonstrated a distensibility index of 0.34. The average length of follow-up after POEM was 15.8 months.There was a 92.3% (12/13) clinical success rate, with a mean post-POEM ES of 1.53. One patient's ES improved from 12 to 1 after POEM; however, 2.5 years later she developed recurrent symptoms (ES 10). Only 1 patient had endoscopic evidence of Los Angeles grade A esophagitis. One year after POEM, 5 patients had gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, but only 2 required acid suppression therapy.

CONCLUSION

POEM is an effective treatment modality with long-term efficacy. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Major mixed motility disorders: An important subset of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by a lack of relaxation of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), with preserved esophageal body peristalsis. We propose new terminology for the coexistence of EGJOO with hypercontractile esophagus and distal esophageal spasm as a major mixed motility disorder (MMMD), and normal peristalsis or a minor disorder of peristalsis such as ineffective esophageal motility with EGJOO as isolated or ineffective EGJOO (IEGJOO).

METHODS

We reviewed prior diagnoses of EGJOO, stratified diagnoses as IEGJOO or MMMD, and compared their symptomatic presentations, high-resolution manometry (HRM) and endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) metrics, and treatment responses at 2-6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 821 patients, 142 met CCv3 criteria for EGJOO. Twenty-two were confirmed by CCv4 and EndoFLIP as having EGJOO and were clinically managed. Thirteen had MMMD, and nine had IEGJOO. Groups had no difference in demographic data or presenting symptoms by Eckardt score (ES). HRM showed MMMD had greater distal contractile integral, frequency of hypercontractile swallows, and frequency of spastic swallows, and greater DI by EndoFLIP. Patients with MMMD showed greater reduction in symptoms after LES-directed intervention when measured by ES compared with IEGJOO (7.2 vs. 4.0).

CONCLUSION

Patients with MMMD and IEGJOO present similarly. Detectable differences in HRM portend different responses to endoscopic therapy. Because patients with MMMD have greater short-term prognosis, they should be considered a different diagnostic classification to guide therapy.

The Roles of Zinc Finger Proteins in Colorectal Cancer

Despite colorectal cancer remaining a leading worldwide cause of cancer-related death, there remains a paucity of effective treatments for advanced disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of colorectal cancer include altered cell signaling and cell cycle regulation that may result from epigenetic modifications of gene expression and function. Acting as important transcriptional regulators of normal biological processes, zinc finger proteins also play key roles in regulating the cellular mechanisms underlying colorectal neoplasia. These actions impact cell differentiation and proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, homeostasis, senescence, and maintenance of stemness. With the goal of highlighting promising points of therapeutic intervention, we review the oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles of zinc finger proteins with respect to colorectal cancer tumorigenesis and progression.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

A novel metabolic-related gene signature for predicting clinical prognosis and immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic reprogramming is not only an essential hallmark in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but also an important regulator of cancer cell adaptation to tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the potential mechanism of metabolic reprogramming in TME of HNSCC is still unknown.

METHODS

The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with survival information were obtained the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The metabolic-related genes were identified by differential analysis and survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to determine an overall estimate of metabolic-related risk signature and related clinical parameters. The sensitivity and specificity of the risk signature were evaluated by time-dependent receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves. TME immune cell infiltration mediated by metabolic-related genes was explored by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Seven metabolic-related genes (SMS, MTHFD2, HPRT1, DNMT1, PYGL, ADA, and P4HA1) were identified to develop a metabolic-related risk signature. The low-risk group had a better overall survival compared to that of the high-risk group in the TCGA and GSE65858 cohorts. The AUCs for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival were 0.646 vs. 0.673, 0.694 vs. 0.639, and 0.673 vs. 0.573, respectively. The AUC vale of risk score was 0.727 vs. 0.673. The low-risk group was associated with immune cell infiltration in the TME.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic-related risk signature were constructed and validated, which could involve in regulating the immune cell infiltration in the TME and act as an independent biomarker that predicted the prognosis of HNSCC.

Upregulated Long Non-coding RNA Lnc-MRPL39-2:1 Induces the Growth and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Binding to HuR and Stabilizing β-Catenin mRNA

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been to regulate tumor progression and therapy resistance through various molecular mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the role of lncRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the underlying mechanism. Using lncRNA arrays to analyze the lncRNA profiles of the NPC and para-tumor tissues, we detected the novel lnc-MRPL39-2:1, which was validated by in situ hybridization and by the 5' and 3' rapid amplification of the cDNA ends. Further, its role in NPC cell growth and metastasis was verified in vitro and in vivo. The researchers conducted the RNA pull-down assays, mass spectrometry (MS), dual-luciferase reporter assays, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, and the MS2-RIP assays were then used to identify the lnc-MRPL39-2:1-interacting proteins and miRNAs. We found that lnc-MRPL39-2:1, which was highly expressed in in NPC tissues, was related to a poor prognosis in NPC patients. Furthermore, lnc-MRPL39-2:1 was shown to induce the growth and invasion of NPC by interacting directly with the Hu-antigen R (HuR) to upregulate β-catenin expression both in vivo and in vitro. Lnc-MRPL39-2:1 expression was also suppressed by microRNA (miR)-329. Thus, these findings indicate that lnc-MRPL39-2:1 is essential in NPC tumorigenesis and metastasis and highlight its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for NPC.

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

[Clinical analysis of 7 children infected with Talaromyces marneffei]

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatments, and prognosis of pediatric patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection. Methods: In this retrospective study, 7 children diagnosed with Talaromyces marneffei infection in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from July 2017 to October 2021 were recruited. The clinical features, radiology, pathogen detection, immunological evaluation, treatments, and prognosis were analyzed. Results: In 7 cases, 5 were male, 2 were females. The age was from 0.75 to 8.75 years. The main clinical manifestations were fever in 7 cases, cough in 6 cases, malnutrition in 4 cases, papules in 2 cases and medical history of recurrent infection in 3 cases. Physical examination showed that all 7 patients had hepatosplenomegaly, 4 had superficial lymphadenopathy. Laboratory examination showed that 6 cases had decreased hemoglobin and 3 cases had decreased platelet. Chest CT showed that 4 cases had patchy shadows, pleural effusion, mediastinal or axillary lymph node enlargement, 3 had nodular shadows and 2 had cavities. The positive ratio of Talaromyces marneffei culture was 2/2 with tissue samples, 4/5 with bone marrow. The positive ratio was 3/4 by metagenomic next generation sequencing. The fungus was detected in 3 cases by smear microscopy of bone marrow and (or) peripheral blood. All patients were negative for human immunodeficiency virus by the immune function assay. However, 5 cases were confirmed as primary immunodeficiency disease, including 2 cases with high IgM syndrome, 2 with STAT1 gene variation, and the last with severe combined immunodeficiency (IL2RG gene variation). Exclude 1 case which gave up treatment due to acute intracranial infection, and the other patients received effective treatments along with amphotericin B, voriconazole, and itraconazole alone or in combination. Two cases relapsed after medication withdrawal, but 1 case got complete rehabilitation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations involve multisystem, the common charateristics are fever and cough. The chest CT imaging manifestations are diverse, it should be considered in differentiating tuberculosis. The amphotericin B, voriconazole and itraconazole are effective, but it will easily relapse when withdrawing those antifungal agents.

Evidence for Nonlinear Gluon Effects in QCD and Their Mass Number Dependence at STAR

The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of back-to-back azimuthal correlations of di-π^{0}s produced at forward pseudorapidities (2.6<η<4.0) in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. We observe a clear suppression of the correlated yields of back-to-back π^{0} pairs in p+Al and p+Au collisions compared to the p+p data. The observed suppression of back-to-back pairs as a function of transverse momentum suggests nonlinear gluon dynamics arising at high parton densities. The larger suppression found in p+Au relative to p+Al collisions exhibits a dependence of the saturation scale Q_{s}^{2} on the mass number A. A linear scaling of the suppression with A^{1/3} is observed with a slope of -0.09±0.01.

[Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields promote osteoblast mineralization and maturation of rats through the PC2/sAC/PKA/CREB signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in promoting osteoblast mineralization and maturation is related to the primary cilia, polycystin2 (PC2) and sAC/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

METHODS

We detected the expression levels of PC2, sAC, PKA, CREB and their phosphorylated proteins in primary rat calvarial osteoblasts exposed to 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMFs for 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. We blocked PC2 function with amiloride hydrochloride and detected the changes in the activity of sAC/PKA/CREB signal pathway and the mineralization and maturation of the osteoblasts. These examinations were repeated in the osteoblasts after specific knockdown of PC2 via RNA interference and were the co-localization of PC2, sAC, PKA, CREB and their phosphorylated proteins with the primary cilia were using immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of PC2 and the signaling proteins of sAC/PKA/CREB pathway were detected after inhibition of primary ciliation by RNA interference.

RESULTS

The expression levels of PC2, sAC, p-PKA and p- CREB were significantly increased in the osteoblasts after exposure to PEMFs for different time lengths (P < 0.01). Blocking PC2 function or PC2 knockdown in the osteoblasts resulted in failure of sAC/PKA/CREB signaling pathway activation and arrest of osteoblast mineralization and maturation. PC2, sAC, p-PKA and p-CREB were localized to the entire primary cilia or its roots, but PKA and CREB were not detected in the primary cilia. After interference of the primary cilia, PEMFs exposure no longer caused increase of PC2 expression and failed to activate the sAC/PKA/CREB signaling pathway or promote osteoblast mineralization and maturation.

CONCLUSION

PC2, located on the surface of the primary cilia of osteoblasts, can perceive and transmit the physical signals from PEMFs and promote the mineralization and maturation of osteoblasts by activating the PC2/ sAC/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

Measurements of Proton High-Order Cumulants in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions and Implications for the QCD Critical Point

We report cumulants of the proton multiplicity distribution from dedicated fixed-target Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV, measured by the STAR experiment in the kinematic acceptance of rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (p_{T}) within -0.5<y<0 and 0.4<p_{T}<2.0  GeV/c. In the most central 0%-5% collisions, a proton cumulant ratio is measured to be C_{4}/C_{2}=-0.85±0.09 (stat)±0.82 (syst), which is 2σ below the Poisson baseline with respect to both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The hadronic transport UrQMD model reproduces our C_{4}/C_{2} in the measured acceptance. Compared to higher energy results and the transport model calculations, the suppression in C_{4}/C_{2} is consistent with fluctuations driven by baryon number conservation and indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions. These data imply that the QCD critical region, if created in heavy-ion collisions, could only exist at energies higher than 3 GeV.

Measurements of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H Lifetimes and Yields in Au+Au Collisions in the High Baryon Density Region

We report precision measurements of hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H lifetimes obtained from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV and 7.2 GeV collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and the first measurement of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H midrapidity yields in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV. _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H, being the two simplest bound states composed of hyperons and nucleons, are cornerstones in the field of hypernuclear physics. Their lifetimes are measured to be 221±15(stat)±19(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{3}H and 218±6(stat)±13(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{4}H. The p_{T}-integrated yields of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H are presented in different centrality and rapidity intervals. It is observed that the shape of the rapidity distribution of _{Λ}^{4}H is different for 0%-10% and 10%-50% centrality collisions. Thermal model calculations, using the canonical ensemble for strangeness, describes the _{Λ}^{3}H yield well, while underestimating the _{Λ}^{4}H yield. Transport models, combining baryonic mean-field and coalescence (jam) or utilizing dynamical cluster formation via baryonic interactions (phqmd) for light nuclei and hypernuclei production, approximately describe the measured _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H yields. Our measurements provide means to precisely assess our understanding of the fundamental baryonic interactions with strange quarks, which can impact our understanding of more complicated systems involving hyperons, such as the interior of neutron stars or exotic hypernuclei.

Relative perceptions of prevalence, impact and importance of photosensitisation in Australian livestock: A survey of veterinarians, livestock traders and livestock producers

AIMS

To investigate the relative differences in the perceptions and awareness of outbreaks of photosensitisation in Australian livestock stakeholders, including veterinarians, livestock traders and producers.

METHODS

A questionnaire was developed and circulated to livestock veterinarians, producers and traders in Australia via email addresses obtained from public access sources. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate participants' awareness and perception of health, welfare, and production issues associated with outbreaks of photosensitisation and towards the incidence and importance of photosensitisation in livestock.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-eight online responses were received in total. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) indicated they would encounter 1-3 outbreaks annually. The majority of veterinarian and livestock producers stated that outbreaks of photosensitisation were common and economically important, with cattle and sheep being equally considered as susceptible species to this condition, and secondary (hepatogeneous) photosensitisation is the most common type.

CONCLUSION

This survey confirms the anecdotal evidence that photosensitisation in livestock in Australia is commonly encountered by veterinarians and livestock producers. However, there is no industry-wide common acceptance of the issue, broader opinions should be canvassed when considering impacts on stakeholders regarding photosensitisation outbreaks in livestock in Australia or abroad in the future.

Upcycling Silicon Photovoltaic Waste into Thermoelectrics

Two decades after the rapid expansion of photovoltaics, the number of solar panels reaching end-of-life is increasing. While precious metals such as silver and copper are usually recycled, silicon, which makes up the bulk of a solar cells, goes to landfills. This is due to the defect- and impurity-sensitive nature in most silicon-based technologies, rendering it uneconomical to purify waste silicon. Thermoelectrics represents a rare class of material in which defects and impurities can be engineered to enhance the performance. This is because of the majority-carrier nature, making it defect- and impurity-tolerant. Here, the upcycling of silicon from photovoltaic (PV) waste into thermoelectrics is enabled. This is done by doping 1% Ge and 4% P, which results in a figure of merit (zT) of 0.45 at 873 K, the highest among silicon-based thermoelectrics. The work represents an important piece of the puzzle in realizing a circular economy for photovoltaics and electronic waste.

Nasal trumpet harmoniously improves tolerance to high-resolution impedance manometry catheter placement

Background.

High-resolution impedance manometry (HRiM) is the gold-standard test to accurately diagnose esophageal dysmotility and a component of 24-hour pH testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most commonly, HRiM is performed without sedation in a motility laboratory setting. Occasionally, patients are unable to complete this test due to poor tolerance, inability to traverse the nasopharynx, or inability to navigate through a hypertonic LES or large hiatal hernia. We report our two-center experience utilizing a nasopharyngeal airway (nasal trumpet) to facilitate insertion of the manometry catheter among patients who failed initial placement through the nasopharynx.

Methods.

We used size 24 French nasal trumpets in patients who had failed typical insertion of HRiM catheters during the index unsedated procedure. Topical anesthetic was applied transnasally followed by nasal trumpet insertion. The manometry catheter was introduced through the nasal trumpet, circumventing anatomical barriers to placement.

Results.

We successfully completed HRiM studies in 8 such consecutive patients. Indications for procedure included dysphagia and GERD. Each patient tolerated nasal trumpet use, and there were no complications.

Conclusion.

The addition of the nasal trumpets to the motility lab toolbox can assist with challenging motility catheter placement. This device is inexpensive, widely available, and reduces procedure failure rates due to nasopharyngeal barriers to successful placement.

Probing the Gluonic Structure of the Deuteron with J/ψ Photoproduction in d+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions

Understanding gluon density distributions and how they are modified in nuclei are among the most important goals in nuclear physics. In recent years, diffractive vector meson production measured in ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) at heavy-ion colliders has provided a new tool for probing the gluon density. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of J/ψ photoproduction off the deuteron in UPCs at the center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV in d+Au collisions. The differential cross section as a function of momentum transfer -t is measured. In addition, data with a neutron tagged in the deuteron-going zero-degree calorimeter is investigated for the first time, which is found to be consistent with the expectation of incoherent diffractive scattering at low momentum transfer. Theoretical predictions based on the color glass condensate saturation model and the leading twist approximation nuclear shadowing model are compared with the data quantitatively. A better agreement with the saturation model has been observed. With the current measurement, the results are found to be directly sensitive to the gluon density distribution of the deuteron and the deuteron breakup process, which provides insights into the nuclear gluonic structure.

Molecular Characterization Clinical and Immunotherapeutic Characteristics of m5C Regulator NOP2 Across 33 Cancer Types

Background: Recent studies have identified that RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a wide-spread epigenetic modification in tumorigenesis. However, the clinical and immunotherapeutic values of m5C regulator NOP2 in 33 cancers remain unclear.

Methods: The mRNA expression data and clinical data of 33 cancers were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The immunotherapy data including GSE67501, GSE78220, GSE35640, and IMvigor210 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the website based on the Creative Commons 3.0 license (http://research-pub.Gene.com/imvigor210corebiologies). The expression, survival, clinical parameters, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor microenvironment (TME) were evaluated. Finally, the relationship between NOP2 and immunotherapy response was further explored.

Results: NOP2 was significantly upregulated in most cancers, and high NOP2 expression was associated with poor prognosis. TMB, MSI, and NOP2 activities were involved in the dysregulation of NOP2. NOP2 was closely associated with immune cell infiltration, immune modulators, and immunotherapeutic inactivation.

Conclusions: We comprehensively explored the clinical and immunotherapeutic values of NOP2 in cancers, providing evidence regarding the function of NOP2 and its role in clinical treatment.

Search for the Chiral Magnetic Effect via Charge-Dependent Azimuthal Correlations Relative to Spectator and Participant Planes in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) refers to charge separation along a strong magnetic field due to imbalanced chirality of quarks in local parity and charge-parity violating domains in quantum chromodynamics. The experimental measurement of the charge separation is made difficult by the presence of a major background from elliptic azimuthal anisotropy. This background and the CME signal have different sensitivities to the spectator and participant planes, and could thus be determined by measurements with respect to these planes. We report such measurements in Au+Au collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. It is found that the charge separation, with the flow background removed, is consistent with zero in peripheral (large impact parameter) collisions. Some indication of finite CME signals is seen in midcentral (intermediate impact parameter) collisions. Significant residual background effects may, however, still be present.

Enhancement of thermoelectric performance in graphenylene nanoribbons by suppressing phonon thermal conductance: the role of phonon local resonance

Based on the method of non-equilibrium Green's function, we investigate the thermal transport and thermoelectric properties of graphenylene nanoribbons (GRNRs) with different width and chirality. The results show that the thermoelectric (TE) performance of GRNRs significantly increases with decreasing ribbon width, which stems from the reduction of thermal conductance. In addition, by changing the ribbon width and chirality, the figure of merit (ZT) can be controllably manipulated and maximized up to 0.45 at room temperature. Moreover, it is found that theZTvalue of GRNRs with branched structure can reach 1.8 at 300 K and 3.4 at 800 K owing to the phonon local resonance. Our findings here are of great importance for thermoelectric applications of GRNRs.

Zinc finger protein 277 is an intestinal transit-amplifying cell marker and colon cancer oncogene

Sustained proliferative signaling and resisting cell death are hallmarks of cancer. Zinc finger protein 277 (ZNF277; murine Zfp277), a transcription factor regulating cellular senescence, is overexpressed in colon cancer, but its actions in intestinal homeostasis and neoplasia are unclear. Using human and murine intestine, human colon cancer cells, and Apc^Min/+ mice with dysregulated β-catenin signaling and exuberant intestinal neoplasia, we explored the actions of ZNF277/Zfp277 and defined the underlying mechanisms. In normal human and murine intestine, ZNF277/Zfp277 was expressed uniquely in early stem cell progenitors, undifferentiated transit-amplifying cells (TACs). Zfp277 was overexpressed in the Apc^Min/+ mouse colon, implicating ZNF277/Zfp277 as a transcriptional target of β-catenin signaling. We confirmed this by showing β-catenin knockdown reduced ZNF277 expression and, using chromatin IP, identified 2 β-catenin binding sites in the ZNF277 promoter. Zfp277 deficiency attenuated intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and tumor formation, and it strikingly prolonged Apc^Min/+ mouse survival. RNA-Seq and PCR analyses revealed that Zfp277 modulates expression of genes in key cancer pathways, including β-catenin signaling, the HOXD family that regulates development, and p21^WAF1, a cell cycle inhibitor and tumor suppressor. In both human colon cancer cells and the murine colon, ZNF277/Zfp277 deficiency induced p21^WAF1 expression and promoted senescence. Our findings identify ZNF277/Zfp277 as both a TAC marker and colon cancer oncogene that regulates cellular proliferation and senescence, in part by repressing p21^WAF1 expression.

Measurement of the Sixth-Order Cumulant of Net-Proton Multiplicity Distributions in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=27, 54.4, and 200 GeV at RHIC

According to first-principle lattice QCD calculations, the transition from quark-gluon plasma to hadronic matter is a smooth crossover in the region μ_{B}≤T_{c}. In this range the ratio, C_{6}/C_{2}, of net-baryon distributions are predicted to be negative. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the midrapidity net-proton C_{6}/C_{2} from 27, 54.4, and 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The dependence on collision centrality and kinematic acceptance in (p_{T}, y) are analyzed. While for 27 and 54.4 GeV collisions the C_{6}/C_{2} values are close to zero within uncertainties, it is observed that for 200 GeV collisions, the C_{6}/C_{2} ratio becomes progressively negative from peripheral to central collisions. Transport model calculations without critical dynamics predict mostly positive values except for the most central collisions within uncertainties. These observations seem to favor a smooth crossover in the high-energy nuclear collisions at top RHIC energy.

Differential Actions of Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes in Gastric, Pancreatic, and Colon Cancer

Cancers arising from gastrointestinal epithelial cells are common, aggressive, and difficult to treat. Progress in this area resulted from recognizing that the biological behavior of these cancers is highly dependent on bioactive molecules released by neurocrine, paracrine, and autocrine mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment. For many decades after its discovery as a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine was thought to be synthesized and released uniquely from neurons and considered the sole physiological ligand for muscarinic receptor subtypes, which were believed to have similar or redundant actions. In the intervening years, we learned this former dogma is not tenable. (1) Acetylcholine is not produced and released only by neurons. The cellular machinery required to synthesize and release acetylcholine is present in immune, cancer, and other cells, as well as in lower organisms (e.g., bacteria) that inhabit the gut. (2) Acetylcholine is not the sole physiological activator of muscarinic receptors. For example, selected bile acids can modulate muscarinic receptor function. (3) Muscarinic receptor subtypes anticipated to have overlapping functions based on similar G protein coupling and downstream signaling may have unexpectedly diverse actions. Here, we review the relevant research findings supporting these conclusions and discuss how the complexity of muscarinic receptor biology impacts health and disease, focusing on their role in the initiation and progression of gastric, pancreatic, and colon cancers.

Potential Role for Combined Subtype-Selective Targeting of M1 and M3 Muscarinic Receptors in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases

Despite structural similarity, the five subtypes comprising the cholinergic muscarinic family of G protein-coupled receptors regulate remarkably diverse biological functions. This mini review focuses on the closely related and commonly co-expressed M₁R and M₃R muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes encoded respectively by CHRM1 and CHRM3. Activated M₁R and M₃R signal via G_q and downstream initiate phospholipid turnover, changes in cell calcium levels, and activation of protein kinases that alter gene transcription and ultimately cell function. The unexpectedly divergent effects of M₁R and M₃R activation, despite similar receptor structure, distribution, and signaling, are puzzling. To explore this conundrum, we focus on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver because abundant data identify opposing effects of M₁R and M₃R activation on the progression of gastric, pancreatic, and colon cancer, and liver injury and fibrosis. Whereas M₃R activation promotes GI neoplasia, M₁R activation appears protective. In contrast, in murine liver injury models, M₃R activation promotes and M₁R activation mitigates liver fibrosis. We analyze these findings critically, consider their therapeutic implications, and review the pharmacology and availability for research and therapeutics of M₁R and M₃R-selective agonists and antagonists. We conclude by considering gaps in knowledge and other factors that hinder the application of these drugs and the development of new agents to treat GI and liver diseases.

Effects of water deficiency on preference and performance of an insect herbivore Ostrinia furnacalis

With further climate change still expected, it is predicted to increase the frequency with plants will be water stressed, which subsequently influences phytophagous insects, particularly Lepidoptera with limited mobility of larvae. Previous studies have indicated that oviposition preference and offspring performance of Lepidoptera insects are sensitive to drought separately. However, the integration of their two properties is not always seen. Here, we evaluated changes in oviposition selection and offspring fitness of a Lepidoptera insect under three water-stressed treatments using a model agroecosystem consisting of maize Zea mays, and Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. Results found that female O. furnacalis preferred to laying their eggs on well-watered maize, and then their offspring tended to survive better, attained bigger larvae mass, and developed more pupae and adults on the preferred maize. Oviposition selection of O. furnacalis positively correlated with height and leaf traits of maize, and offspring fitness positively related with water content and phytochemical traits of hosts. Overall, these results suggest that oviposition choice performed by O. furnacalis reflects the maximization of offspring fitness, supporting preference-performance hypothesis. This finding further highlights that the importance of simultaneous evaluation of performance and performance for water driving forces should be involved, in order to accurately predict population size of O. furnacalis under altered precipitation pattern.

Dysphagia lusoria: utility of high-resolution impedance manometry to identify true disease

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare cause of dysphagia due to impingement of the esophagus by an aberrant right subclavian artery. Although most remain asymptomatic, this aberrant vessel can lead to progressive dysphagia in childhood or even later in life as a result of arteriosclerotic burden and attenuation of esophageal compliance that led to esophageal compression. We present a 56-year-old man with a 3-year history of progressively worsening dysphagia to solids and liquids and globus sensation. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (modified barium esophagram) and barium esophagram showed delayed barium tablet transit in the upper esophagus and focal smooth narrowing of the upper esophagus caused by external compression, respectively. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated external compression of proximal esophagus from an aberrant right subclavian artery with high atherosclerotic burden. In addition, high-resolution impedance manometry (HRiM) revealed a striking high-pressure pulsatile vascular band in the proximal esophagus (108 mmHg) associated with poor bolus transit, demonstrating the utility of HRiM in strengthening the diagnoses of true dysphagia lusoria.

Observation of D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} Enhancement in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the first measurement of charm-strange meson D_{s}^{±} production at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV from the STAR experiment. The yield ratio between strange (D_{s}^{±}) and nonstrange (D^{0}) open-charm mesons is presented and compared to model calculations. A significant enhancement, relative to a pythia simulation of p+p collisions, is observed in the D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} yield ratio in Au+Au collisions over a large range of collision centralities. Model calculations incorporating abundant strange-quark production in the quark-gluon plasma and coalescence hadronization qualitatively reproduce the data. The transverse-momentum integrated yield ratio of D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} at midrapidity is consistent with a prediction from a statistical hadronization model with the parameters constrained by the yields of light and strange hadrons measured at the same collision energy. These results suggest that the coalescence of charm quarks with strange quarks in the quark-gluon plasma plays an important role in D_{s}^{±}-meson production in heavy-ion collisions.

Measurement of e^{+}e^{-} Momentum and Angular Distributions from Linearly Polarized Photon Collisions

The Breit-Wheeler process which produces matter and antimatter from photon collisions is experimentally investigated through the observation of 6085 exclusive electron-positron pairs in ultraperipheral Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements reveal a large fourth-order angular modulation of cos4Δϕ=(16.8±2.5)% and smooth invariant mass distribution absent of vector mesons (ϕ, ω, and ρ) at the experimental limit of ≤0.2% of the observed yields. The differential cross section as a function of e^{+}e^{-} pair transverse momentum P_{⊥} peaks at low value with sqrt[⟨P_{⊥}^{2}⟩]=38.1±0.9  MeV and displays a significant centrality dependence. These features are consistent with QED calculations for the collision of linearly polarized photons quantized from the extremely strong electromagnetic fields generated by the highly charged Au nuclei at ultrarelativistic speed. The experimental results have implications for vacuum birefringence and for mapping the magnetic field which is important for emergent QCD phenomena.

Modification of thermal transport in few-layer MoS2 by atomic-level defect engineering

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has attracted significant attention due to its good charge carrier mobility, high on/off ratio in field-effect transistors and novel layer-dependent band structure, with potential applications in modern electronic, photovoltaic and valleytronic devices. Despite these advantages, its thermal transport property has often been neglected until recently. In this work, we probe phonon transport in few-layer MoS2 flakes with various point defect concentrations enabled by helium ion (He+) irradiation. For the first time, we experimentally show that Mo-vacancies greatly impede phonon transport compared to S-vacancies, resulting in a larger reduction of thermal conductivity. Furthermore, Raman characterization shows that the in-plane Raman-sensitive peak E2g1 was red-shifted with increasing defect concentration, corresponding to the gradual damage of the in-plane crystalline networks and the gradual reduction in the measured thermal conductivity. Our work provides a practical approach for atomic-level engineering of phonon transport in two-dimensional (2D) layered materials by selectively removing elements, thus holding potential applications in designing thermal devices based on various emerging 2D materials.

Global Polarization of Ξ and Ω Hyperons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

Global polarization of Ξ and Ω hyperons has been measured for the first time in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements of the Ξ^{-} and Ξ[over ¯]^{+} hyperon polarization have been performed by two independent methods, via analysis of the angular distribution of the daughter particles in the parity violating weak decay Ξ→Λ+π, as well as by measuring the polarization of the daughter Λ hyperon, polarized via polarization transfer from its parent. The polarization, obtained by combining the results from the two methods and averaged over Ξ^{-} and Ξ[over ¯]^{+}, is measured to be ⟨P_{Ξ}⟩=0.47±0.10(stat)±0.23(syst)% for the collision centrality 20%-80%. The ⟨P_{Ξ}⟩ is found to be slightly larger than the inclusive Λ polarization and in reasonable agreement with a multiphase transport model. The ⟨P_{Ξ}⟩ is found to follow the centrality dependence of the vorticity predicted in the model, increasing toward more peripheral collisions. The global polarization of Ω, ⟨P_{Ω}⟩=1.11±0.87(stat)±1.97(syst)% was obtained by measuring the polarization of daughter Λ in the decay Ω→Λ+K, assuming the polarization transfer factor C_{ΩΛ}=1.

Nonmonotonic Energy Dependence of Net-Proton Number Fluctuations

Nonmonotonic variation with collision energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) of the moments of the net-baryon number distribution in heavy-ion collisions, related to the correlation length and the susceptibilities of the system, is suggested as a signature for the quantum chromodynamics critical point. We report the first evidence of a nonmonotonic variation in the kurtosis times variance of the net-proton number (proxy for net-baryon number) distribution as a function of sqrt[s_{NN}] with 3.1  σ significance for head-on (central) gold-on-gold (Au+Au) collisions measured solenoidal tracker at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Data in noncentral Au+Au collisions and models of heavy-ion collisions without a critical point show a monotonic variation as a function of sqrt[s_{NN}].

Overcoming Obstacles to Targeting Muscarinic Receptor Signaling in Colorectal Cancer

Despite great advances in our understanding of the pathobiology of colorectal cancer and the genetic and environmental factors that mitigate its onset and progression, a paucity of effective treatments persists. The five-year survival for advanced, stage IV disease remains substantially less than 20%. This review examines a relatively untapped reservoir of potential therapies to target muscarinic receptor expression, activation, and signaling in colorectal cancer. Most colorectal cancers overexpress M₃ muscarinic receptors (M₃R), and both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that activating these receptors stimulates cellular programs that result in colon cancer growth, survival, and spread. In vivo studies using mouse models of intestinal neoplasia have shown that using either genetic or pharmacological approaches to block M₃R expression and activation, respectively, attenuates the development and progression of colon cancer. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that blocking the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that are induced selectively by M₃R activation, i.e., MMP1 and MMP7, also impedes colon cancer growth and progression. Nonetheless, the widespread expression of muscarinic receptors and MMPs and their importance for many cellular functions raises important concerns about off-target effects and the safety of employing similar strategies in humans. As we highlight in this review, highly selective approaches can overcome these obstacles and permit clinicians to exploit the reliance of colon cancer cells on muscarinic receptors and their downstream signal transduction pathways for therapeutic purposes.

Coordination of primary metabolism and virulence factors expression mediates the virulence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus towards cultured shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

AIMS

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has emerged as a severe bacterial disease of cultured shrimp. To identify the key virulence factors, two AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus (Vp_AHPND ) strains (123 and 137) and two non-Vp_AHPND strains (HZ56 and ATCC 17082) were selected.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Challenge tests showed that the four strains exhibited different virulence towards shrimp with cumulative mortalities at 48 h postinfection (hpi) ranging from 10 to 92%. The expression of pirAB^VP in strain 123 and 137 was not significantly different. Genomic analysis revealed that the two Vp_AHPND strains contain a plasmid with the PirAB^VP toxins (pirAB^VP ) flanked by the insertion sequence (ISVal1) that has been identified in various locations of chromosomes in Vp_AHPND strains. The two Vp_AHPND strains possessed almost identical virulence factors, while ISVal1 disrupted three genes related to flagellar motility in strain 137. Phenotype assay showed that strain 123 possessed the highest growth rate and swimming motility, followed by strain 137, suggesting that the disruption of essential genes mediated by ISVal1 significantly affected the virulence level. Transcriptome analysis of two Vp_AHPND strains (123 and 137) further suggested that virulence genes related to the capsule, flagella and primary metabolism were highly expressed in strain 123.

CONCLUSIONS

Here for the first time, it is demonstrated that the virulence of Vp_AHPND is not only determined by the expression of pirAB^VP , but also is mediated by ISVal1 which affects the genes involved in flagellar motility and primary metabolism.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Vp_AHPND strains provides valuable information on the virulence factors affecting the pathogenicity of Vp_AHPND.

Identified IGSF9 association with prognosis and hypoxia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by bioinformatics analysis

Background

Despite improvements in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment, patients with recurrence and metastasis still have a poor prognosis. Thus, the identification of novel biomarkers is urgently needed to predict outcomes and tailor treatment for NPC.

Methods

Four data sets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, and one data set GSE68799 of which was applied to filtrate key modules and hub genes by construction of a co-expression network. Other data sets (GSE12452 and GSE53819) were used to verify hub genes. The data set GSE102349 was devoted to identify prognostic hub genes by survival analysis. To explored whether prognostic hub genes are related to hypoxia signatures in NPC, correlation analysis was carried out, and followed by functional verification experiments of those genes in vitro.

Results

By co-expression network analysis, blue module was regarded as a key module in the benign and malignant group, and IGSF9 of the blue module was identified as a prognostic hub gene. Moreover, IGSF9 is expected to be a innovative hypoxia-related gene in NPC based on the strong associativity between expression of IGSF9 and hypoxia scores of three signatures (99-gene, 26-gene and 15-gene). Further functional studies verified that down-regulated expression of IGSF9 could reduce the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of NPC cells, and hypoxia could induce the expression of IGSF9.

Conclusion

IGSF9 was identified to be relevant to prognosis and involved in hypoxia in NPC. IGSF9 might serve as one novel prognostic indicator of NPC in the future.

KAgX (X = S, Se): High-Performance Layered Thermoelectric Materials for Medium-Temperature Applications

Monolayer KAgX are a class of novel two-dimensional (2D) layered materials with efficient optical absorption and superior carrier mobility, signifying their potential application prospect in photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) fields. Motivated by the recent theoretical studies on the KAgX monolayer, we carried out systematic investigations on the TE performance of KAgS and KAgSe monolayers, employing density functional theory (DFT) and semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). For both KAgSe and KAgS monolayers, large Grüneisen parameters, low group velocities, and short phonon scattering time greatly hinder their heat transport and result in an ultralow thermal conductivity, 0.26 and 0.33 W m^-1 K^-1 at 300 K, respectively. A twofold degeneracy appearing at the Γ point and the abrupt slope of the density of states (DOS) near the Fermi level give rise to high Seebeck coefficients of KAgX monolayers. Due to the ultralow thermal conductivity and excellent electronic transport performance, the ZT values as high as 4.65 (3.11) and 4.05 (2.63) at 500 (300) K in the n-type doping for KAgSe and KAgS monolayers are obtained. The exceptional performance of KAgX monolayers sheds light on their immense potential applications in the medium-temperature (around 300-500 K) thermoelectric devices and greatly stimulates further experimental synthesis and validation.

First Measurement of Λ_{c} Baryon Production in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the first measurement of the charmed baryon Λ_{c}^{±} production at midrapidity (|y|<1) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The Λ_{c}/D^{0} [denoting (Λ_{c}^{+}+Λ_{c}^{-})/(D^{0}+D[over ¯]^{0})] yield ratio is measured to be 1.08±0.16  (stat)±0.26  (sys) in the 0%-20% most central Au+Au collisions for the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range 3<p_{T}<6  GeV/c. This is significantly larger than the pythia model calculations for p+p collisions. The measured Λ_{c}/D^{0} ratio, as a function of p_{T} and collision centrality, is comparable to the baryon-to-meson ratios for light and strange hadrons in Au+Au collisions. Model calculations including coalescence hadronization for charmed baryon and meson formation reproduce the features of our measured Λ_{c}/D^{0} ratio.