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During development, fertilization triggers totipotency establishment, featured by zygotic genome activation/embryonic genome activation (ZGA/EGA). Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) occasionally cycle through a two-cell (2C)-like status with activated expression of Dux and its targeted ZGA genes. Here, we demonstrate that deficiency of histone variant H3.3 dramatically stimulates expression of ZGA genes in mESCs. Our analysis revealed that H3.3 directly associates with Dux locus and inhibits Dux expression, therefore it is an important upstream regulator of Dux. Our finding is further supported by transcriptome change in early mouse embryos with H3.3 knockdown. We suggest that proper H3.3 level in early embryos is important to orchestrate ZGA activity for totipotency establishment. • H3.3 represses zygotic transcriptional program in mouse embryonic stem cells. • H3.3 inhibits Dux expression in mouse embryonic stem cells. • H3.3 associates with Dux locus in mouse embryonic stem cells. • H3.3 represses zygotic transcriptional program in early mouse embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in community or primary-care settings. Method We systematically searched the Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. We conducted quality evaluation using ReviewManager software (version 5.0). We then used MetaDisc software (version 1.4) and Stata software (version 12.0) to build forest plots, along with a Deeks funnel plot and a bivariate boxplot for analysis. Result Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.79, 0.97, and 328.18, respectively. The sensitivity for the subgroup with RNA extraction appeared to be higher, at 0.88 (0.86–0.90), compared to the subgroup without RNA extraction, at 0.50 (0.45–0.55), with no significant difference in specificity. Conclusion RT-LAMP assay exhibited high specificity regarding current SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, its overall sensitivity was relatively moderate. Extracting RNA was found to be beneficial in improving sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very low-pressure plasma spray is a promising technique for preparing dense metal/ceramic coatings due to the high-speed plasma jet. However, at the same time, the low-pressure environment weakens the ability of the plasma jet to heat sprayed materials. In order to improve this shortcoming, a novel bi-cathode plasma torch was firstly designed in this study, which could enhance the plasma power from 40 kW to 81 kW and realize the axial powder feeding. By using this torch under 6 mbar, a dense and uniform yttria-stabilized zirconia coating with a porosity of 2.7% was fabricated, which had a hybrid microstructure that deposited with the form of unmelted particles, melted droplets, and vapor clusters. Meanwhile, 40% of the zirconia phase changed from the monoclinic type to the tetragonal type, indicating that the yttria-stabilized zirconia powder was melted well. The microhardness and elastic modulus of the coating was high compared with those prepared with other plasma spraying processes, which was 11.7 ± 0.6 GPa and 167.8 ± 4 GPa, respectively. The high density and mechanical property of the YSZ coating demonstrated that using the bi-cathode plasma torch at low pressure has the potential for the preparation of SOFC electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large and variable in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in a nanocrystalline (Co2FeAl)97.8(Al2O3)2.2 soft magnetic thin film is obtained by an oblique sputtering method without being induced by magnetic field or post annealing. The in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy varies from 50 Oe to 180 Oe (1 Oe = 79.5775 Am−1) by adjusting the sample's position. As a result, the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the film increases from 1.9 GHz to 3.75 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]