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Blood biochemical indicators play a crucial role in assessing an individual's overall health status and metabolic function. In this study, we measured five blood biochemical indicators, including total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CH), and blood glucose (BG), as well as 19 growth traits of 206 male chickens. By integrating host whole-genome information and 16S rRNA sequencing of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and feces microbiota, we assessed the contributions of host genetics and gut microbiota to blood biochemical indicators and their interrelationships. Our results demonstrated significant negative phenotypic and genetic correlations (r = − 0.20 ~ − 0.67) between CHOL and LDL-CH with growth traits such as body weight, abdominal fat content, muscle content, and shin circumference. The results of heritability and microbiability indicated that blood biochemical indicators were jointly regulated by host genetics and gut microbiota. Notably, the heritability of HDL-CH was estimated to be 0.24, while the jejunal microbiability for BG and TG reached 0.45 and 0.23. Furthermore, by conducting genome-wide association study (GWAS) with the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), insertion/deletion (indels), and structural variation (SV), we identified RAP2C, member of the RAS oncogene family (RAP2C), dedicator of cytokinesis 11 (DOCK11), neurotensin (NTS) and BOP1 ribosomal biogenesis factor (BOP1) as regulators of HDL-CH, and glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain containing 5 (GDPD5), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DHDH), and potassium voltage-gated channel interacting protein 1 (KCNIP1) as candidate genes of BG. Moreover, our findings suggest that cecal RF39 and Clostridia_UCG_014 may be linked to the regulation of CHOL, and jejunal Streptococcaceae may be involved in the regulation of TG. Additionally, microbial GWAS results indicated that the presence of gut microbiota was under host genetic regulation. Our findings provide valuable insights into the complex interaction between host genetics and microbiota in shaping the blood biochemical profile of chickens. Key points: • Multiple candidate genes were identified for the regulation of CHOL, HDL-CH, and BG. • RF39, Clostridia_UCG_014, and Streptococcaceae were implicated in CHOL and TG modulation. • The composition of gut microbiota is influenced by host genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostrictors, materials developing mechanical strain proportional to the square of the applied electric field, present many advantages for mechanical actuation as they convert electrical energy into mechanical, but not vice versa. Both high relative permittivity and reliance on Pb as the key component in commercial electrostrictors pose serious practical and health problems. Here we describe a low relative permittivity (<250) ceramic, ZrxCe1-xO2 (x < 0.2), that displays electromechanical properties rivaling those of the best performing electrostrictors: longitudinal electrostriction strain coefficient ~10−16 m2/V2; relaxation frequency ≈ a few kHz; and strain ≥0.02%. Combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy, atomic-level modeling and electromechanical measurements, here we show that electrostriction in ZrxCe1-xO2 is enabled by elastic dipoles produced by anharmonic motion of the smaller isovalent dopant (Zr). Unlike the elastic dipoles in aliovalent doped ceria, which are present even in the absence of an applied elastic or electric field, the elastic dipoles in ZrxCe1-xO2 are formed only under applied anisotropic field. The local descriptors of electrostrictive strain, namely, the cation size mismatch and dynamic anharmonicity, are sufficiently versatile to guide future searches in other polycrystalline solids. Electrostrictors are materials that develop mechanical strain proportional to the square of the applied electric field. Here authors report. Zr-doped-Ceria as a new lead-free electrostrictive material with a similar electrostriction coefficient to the best electrostrictor material currently in use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how family resilience and individual resilience reduce perceived stress and psychological distress in young female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention. Methods: From June 2020 to June 2021, female breast cancer survivors were selected from the cancer centers of 10 tertiary Level A general hospitals in five cities of Sichuan Province. The survivors completed the Chinese versions of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-report distress thermometer. A multiple mediation effects test and structural equation modeling were used to explore the relationships among family resilience, individual resilience, perceived stress, and psychological distress. Results: The direct effect of family resilience on perceived stress was β = -0.320 (95% confidence interval -0.365, -0.271, P < 0.01). The direct effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.263 (95% confidence interval -0.363, -0.153, P < 0.001). The direct effect of family resilience on individual resilience was β = 0.593 (95% confidence interval 0.542–0.640, P < 0.001). The indirect effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.322 (95% confidence interval -0.373, -0.274, P < 0.001). Both perceived stress and individual resilience mediated the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress. Furthermore, a partial mediating effect of perceived stress and individual resilience on family resilience and psychological distress was observed. Conclusion: Young female breast cancer survivors in China experience moderate levels of psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental pollution caused by complicated wastewater, such as oily wastewater with various metal ions, is becoming more and more serious, which promotes the rapid development of separation materials and relevant methods. In this paper, poly (vinylimidazole-co-polyethylene glycol diacrylate) (V-co-P) cryogel was synthesized by poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate and vinylimidazole as monomers via freeze-thawing method, followed by its characterization with SEM, FT-IR, and XPS. It was found that Cu(II) was chemically absorbed on poly (V-co-P) cryogels and the maximum adsorption capacity of the poly (V-co-P) cryogel was determined to be 51.57 mg g−1. More importantly, the poly (V-co-P) cryogel can effectively separate various oil-in-water emulsions containing Cu(II) in one step, and the micron droplets in the emulsion disappeared completely. The efficiency of Cu(II) removal was determined to be more than 97.5%. Moreover, this cryogel could be reused without significant loss of separation performance after ten cycles. In general, the cryogel prepared by simple freezing polymerization shows both heavy metal removal capacity and oil–water separation ability, which offers considerable potential applications on the disposal of complicated wastewater in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Methods: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Results: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Conclusion: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of guide level on the accuracy of static computer-aided implant surgery (sCAIS) at post-extraction sockets and healed sites. Materials and methods: A total of 30 duplicate dental models, with 300 potential implant sites, were used. All the models were equally randomized into three groups: fully guided (FG, n = 100), partially guided (PG, n = 100), and free handed (FH, n = 100) surgeries. After implant placement, the mean global, horizontal, depth, and angular deviations between the virtually planned and actual implant positions were measured automatically by a Python script within software Blender. Results: Both FG and PG surgeries showed significantly higher accuracy than FH surgery at post-extraction sockets and healed sites. In both sCAIS groups, there were nearly 50% more deviations from implants placed at sockets than those from delayed placement. For the immediate implant placement, the accuracy of sCAIS was significantly affected by the level of guidance. The FG group exhibited lower deviations than the PG group, with a significant difference in coronal global and horizontal deviations (p <.05). For the healed sites, two guided groups exhibited similar outcomes (p >.05). Conclusions: sCAISs provide more accuracy than the free-handed approach in position transferring from planning to a model simulation. Full guidance can significantly increase the accuracy, especially at post-extraction sites. Clinical relevance: Guided protocols showed significantly higher accuracy than free-handed surgery regardless of implantation timing, but both had nearly 50% more deviations in immediate implant placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The new essential tremor (ET)-plus nomenclature was proposed by the 2018 Tremor Consensus Criteria. However, few studies have adopted this usage and the clinical differences between ET and ET-plus remains unclear. To address this issue, we reclassified and compared the characteristics of ET and ET-plus patients in a large Chinese tremor cohort. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 766 patients originally diagnosed with ET underwent neurological examination. Scale ratings were used to evaluate motor and non-motor symptoms, and quality of life (QoL). We then reclassified the ET cohort and compared demographic and clinical characteristics between ET and ET-plus patients. A logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether the presence of neurological soft signs in ET-plus was associated with tremor severity or QoL. Results: Among 665 clinically confirmed ET syndrome patients, 274 were ET and 391 were ET-plus. The most prevalent neurological soft sign was resting tremor. ET-plus patients were older, had older age at onset and longer disease duration. ET-plus patients recorded higher scores in tremor severity evaluations and lower in cognitive evaluations, whereas a higher proportion of patients presented with depression or anxiety symptoms. Resting tremor and questionable cerebellar signs were associated with tremor severity. Cognitive impairment was associated with worse QoL. Conclusions: ET-plus patients were older, had longer disease durations, worse tremor manifestations, and more distinct non-motor symptoms. Certain additional soft signs of ET-plus were associated with tremor severity or worse QoL. ET-plus patients may include advanced ET patients with additional neurological soft signs presenting along with disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common disabling gait disturbance in Parkinson's disease (PD). The objectives of this study were to explore alterations in the topological organization of whole-brain functional networks in patients with PD who will develop FOG. Methods: We recruited 20 patients with PD who developed FOG (PD-FOGt) during a 5-year follow-up period, 20 patients with PD who did not developed FOG (PD-FOGn) within the follow-up period, and 20 healthy control subjects. Using graph theory approaches, we performed a comparative analysis of the topological organization of whole-brain functional networks among the groups, and further explored their potential relationships with latency to develop FOG. Results: At baseline, the global topological properties of functional brain networks in PD-FOGt and PD-FOGn showed no abnormalities. Additionally, regarding regional topological properties, compared with PD-FOGn patients, PD-FOGt patients exhibited decreased nodal centrality in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Although there were no significant differences compared with PD-FOGn patients, the PD-FOGt group exhibited the lowest nodal centrality values in the frontal cortex (left gyrus rectus), and visual cortex (bilateral inferior occipital gyrus and left fusiform gyrus), and the highest nodal centrality values in the cerebellum (vermis_6) among the three groups. However, no relationship was found between the nodal centrality in above brain regions and latency to develop FOG. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the disrupted regional topological organization might contribute to the future development of FOG in PD patients, especially associated with damage to the left MFG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cuticle formed in the uterus is the outermost layer as the first defense line of eggshell against microbial invasions in most avian species, and analyzing its genetic regulation and influencing factors are of great importance to egg biosecurity in poultry production worldwide. The current study compared the uterine transcriptome and proteome of laying hens producing eggs with good and poor cuticle quality (GC and PC, the top and tail of the cuticle quality distribution), and identified several genes involved with eggshell cuticle quality (ESCQ). Overall, transcriptomic analysis identified 53 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PC versus GC group hens, among which 25 were up-regulated and 28 were down-regulated. No differences were found in the uterine proteome. Several DEGs, including PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR related to uterine functions and reproductive hormones, were validated by qPCR analysis. Egg quality measurements between GC and PC hens showed GC hens had longer laying interval between two consecutive ovipositions (25.64 ± 1.23 vs 24.94 ± 1.12 h) and thicker eggshell thickness (352.01 ± 23.04 vs 316.20 ± 30.58 μm) (P < 0.05). Apart from eggshell traits, other egg quality traits didn't differ. The result demonstrated eggshell and cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is one of the major factors affecting ESCQ in laying hens. PTGDS, PLCG2, ADM and PRLR genes were discovered and might play crucial roles in cuticle deposition by regulating the uterine muscular activities and secretion function. The findings in the present study provide new insights into the genetic regulation of cuticle deposition in laying hens and establish a foundation for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor immune responses to inactivated influenza vaccine can be improved by effective and safe adjuvants to increase antibody titers and cellular protective response. In our study, AddaVax and PolyI:C combined adjuvant (AP adjuvant) were used for influenza vaccine development. After immunizing BALB/c mice and Wistar rats intramuscularly, Split inactivated H3N2 vaccine adjuvanted with AP elicited higher serum hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies and IgG titers. We demonstrated that AP induced a transient innate immune cytokines production at the injection site, induced H3N2 uptake by DCs, increased recruitment of monocytes and DCs in LNs, and promoted H3N2 vaccine migration; AP facilitated vaccines to induce a vigorous adaptive immune response. Besides, AP showed good safety as shown by lymph nodes (LNs) size, spleens index of BALB/c mice, and weight changes and C-reaction protein level of BALB/c mice and Wistar rats after repeated administration of high-dose vaccine with or without adjuvant. These findings indicate that AP is a potential novel adjuvant and can be used as a safe and effective adjuvant for MDCK-based influenza inactivated vaccine to induce cellular and antibody protective response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene polymorphisms and other contributing clinical factors on peripherally inserted central catheter–related venous thrombosis (PICC-RVT) in Chinese patients with lung cancer. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 237 participants. Blood samples were collected to detect the PAI-1 4G/5G genotype. Venous thromboembolism risk was calculated by the Caprini risk assessment model. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed every 7 days for 3 weeks to confirm PICC-RVT. Results: The rate of PICC-RVT was 13.50% (32/237). The 5G/5G, 4G/5G, and 4G/4G genotypes were found in 12.50% vs 17.56%, 59.38% vs 49.27%, and 28.12% vs 34.17% in the thrombus group and the non-thrombus group of the participants. No difference was observed in the distribution frequency of the three genotypes between the thrombus and non-thrombus groups. A higher fibrinogen level (OR 1.194, 95% CI 1.004–1.420, P = 0.045) and a higher Caprini score (OR 1.698, 95% CI 1.103–2.614, P = 0.016) were statistically significant risk factors for PICC-RVT. Compared with patients who underwent a pemetrexed/cisplatin regimen, those who were administered paclitaxel/cisplatin (OR 18.332, 95% CI 2.890–116.278, P = 0.002) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (OR 6.617, 95% CI 1.210–36.180, P = 0.029) were at increased risk of PICC-RVT. Conclusion: Our finding suggested that there is no statistically significant influence of the PAI-1 4G/5G gene variant on PICC-RVT in Chinese patients with lung cancer. However, patients with higher Caprini scores and higher fibrinogen levels are at increased risk for PICC-RVT, as are patients receiving chemotherapy. Clinical staff should carefully perform a risk assessment for patients with PICC. Those with the above risk factors should pay close attention and take timely and effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is critical for egg production and animal health in commercial layer housing systems. To investigate microbial contamination in nipple drinking system in layer houses, the bacterial abundance and communities in water pipes and V-troughs on different tiers (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th tiers) of a layer house with 8 overlapping cage tiers were determined using qRT-PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. The water bacterial abundance (i.e., genome 16S rDNA copy number, WBCN) in water pipes and V-troughs did not significantly differ among tiers, but they were 46.77 to 1905.46 times higher in V-troughs than that in water pipes (P < 0.05) for each tier. Illumina sequencing obtained 1,746,303 effective reads from 24 water samples in V-troughs of 4 tiers (six samples from each tier). Taxonomic analysis indicated that the 1st and 5th tiers were predominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, while the 3rd and 7th tiers were predominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The top four genera were Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Rothia and Comamonas among measured tiers. The high bacterial abundance and bacterial OTUs of water in the V-troughs reflect poor water quality, which may adversely affect growth and health of laying hens. Therefore, it is suggested that water quality in the V-tough should be checked more frequently in commercial layer houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There was no optimal risk assessment tool to stratify the risk of peripherally inserted central catheter-related venous thromboembolism (PICC-RVT) in cancer patients. We currently use the Caprini risk assessment model for thrombotic risk assessment, but no evidence exists on the effectiveness of Caprini in such patients. This study was to assess the validity of the Caprini in Chinese cancer patients with PICCs. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 468 participants. Following calculating the Caprini score, color Doppler ultrasonography was performed every 7 days for 3 weeks to confirm PICC-RVT. Results: There was a correlation between PICC-RVT and the Caprini score. Compared with scores of 5, the risk was 2.089-fold greater (95% CI 1.165–3.743, P = 0.012) in patients with a score of 6 and 7, and 7.156-fold greater (95% CI 3.157–16.217, P < 0.001) in patients with scores ≥8. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.636 (95% CI 0.590–0.680; P < 0.001). 6 was the best cutoff point for Caprini, with a sensitivity of 0.76 and a specificity of 0.44. Conclusions: The Caprini can be used for high-risk screening of the PICC-RVT in cancer patients, and classification of the highest risk level using a score of 6 can be more clinically significant compared to 5 as recommended. The results provide evidence for the practitioner's early use of the Caprini to assess the thrombotic risk in patients with PICCs and take timely prevention measures. But pharmacological prevention should be considered seriously for its low specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To use structural magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory approaches to investigate the topological organization of the brain morphological network based on gray matter in essential tremor, and its potential relation to disease severity. Methods: In this prospective study conducted from November 2018 to November 2019, 36 participants with essential tremor and 37 matched healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Brain networks based on the morphological similarity of gray matter across regions were analyzed using graph theory. Nonparametric permutation testing was used to assess group differences in topological metrics. Support vector machine was applied to the gray matter morphological matrices to classify participants with essential tremor vs. healthy controls. Results: Compared with healthy controls, participants with essential tremor showed increased global efficiency (p < 0.01) and decreased path length (p < 0.01); abnormal nodal properties in frontal, parietal, and cerebellar lobes; and disconnectivity in cerebello-thalamo-cortical network. The abnormal brain nodal centralities (left superior cerebellum gyrus; right caudate nucleus) correlated with clinical measures, both motor (Fahn–Tolosa–Marìn tremor rating, p = 0.017, r = − 0.41) and nonmotor (Hamilton depression scale, p = 0.040, r = − 0.36; Hamilton anxiety scale, p = 0.008, r = − 0.436). Gray matter morphological matrices classified individuals with high accuracy of 80.0%. Conclusion: Participants with essential tremor showed randomization in global properties and dysconnectivity in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical network. Participants with essential tremor could be distinguished from healthy controls by gray matter morphological matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of poor plumage conditions on production performance, antioxidant status and gene expression in laying hens. Two hundred ten 54-week-old laying hens with similar body weights were assigned into two groups based on plumage conditions (the poor plumage conditions (PPC) group and the control group). All the birds had free access to water and crumbled feed, and received the same management in step cages. Compared with hens in the control group, the hens in the PPC group consumed more feed and produced lighter eggs (P < 0.05). Hens in the PPC group showed lower serum concentrations of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and higher malondialdehyde content than those in the control group. The eggshell breaking strength was lower in the PPC group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The eggshell shape index and yolk colour in the PPC group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The mRNA expression level of HTR2C in the neck skin and that of IL-2 in the liver and breast muscle were higher in the PPC group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that PPC may increase feed consumption and influence egg quality, antioxidant status and gene expression in laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow plumage is common in chickens, especially in breeds such as the Huiyang Bearded chicken, which is indigenous to China. We evaluated plumage colour distribution in F1, F2, and F3 populations of an Huiyang Bearded chicken × White Leghorn chicken cross, the heredity of the yellow plumage trait was distinguished from that of the gold plumage and other known plumage colours. Microscopic analysis of the feather follicles indicated that pheomelanin particles were formed in yellow but not in white feathers. To screen genes related to formation of the pheomelanin particles, we generated transcriptome data from yellow and white feather follicles from 7- and 11-week-old F3 chickens using RNA-seq. We identified 27 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) when comparing the yellow and white feather follicles. These DEGs were enriched in the Gene Ontology classes 'melanosome' and 'melanosome organization' related to the pigmentation process. Down-regulation of TYRP1, DCT, PMEL, MLANA, and HPGDS, verified using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, may lead to reduced eumelanin and increased pheomelanin synthesis in yellow plumage. Owing to the presence of the Dominant white locus, both white and yellow plumage lack eumelanin, and white feathers showed no pigments. Our results provide an understanding of yellow plumage formation in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-optical devices, which are utilized to process optical signals without electro-optical conversion, play an essential role in the next generation ultrafast, ultralow power-consumption optical information processing systems. To satisfy the performance requirement, nonlinear optical materials that are associated with fast response, high nonlinearity, broad wavelength operation, low optical loss, low fabrication cost, and integration compatibility with optical components are required. Graphene is a promising candidate, particularly considering its electrically or optically tunable optical properties, ultrafast large nonlinearity, and high integration compatibility with various nanostructures. Thus far, three all-optical modulation systems utilize graphene, namely free-space modulators, fiber-based modulators, and on-chip modulators. This paper aims to provide a broad view of state-of-the-art researches on the graphene-based all-optical modulation systems. The performances of different devices are reviewed and compared to present a comprehensive analysis and perspective of graphene-based all-optical modulation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive approach to detect trace amount of clenbuterol (CB) based on graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles (GO/Au NPs) by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was presented. To be specific, the GO/Au nanocomposites were formed by depositing Au NPs onto the surface of GO through an in situ reduction process, where a high density of inherent hot spots was created between Au NPs. By optimizing the depositing density of Au NPs, the strongest electromagnetic coupling effect originating from highly dense hot spots was obtained. The optimized GO/Au was demonstrated to enhance the Raman signals of CB by 4.8 times more than that of CB enhanced by Au NPs. Moreover, GO/Au nanocomposites exhibit good biocompatibility and accessible surface for high adsorption of target molecules through the pi-pi stacking with graphene oxide. Hence, the proposed GO/Au nanocomposites were utilized to capture aromatic molecules like CB and served as excellent sensitive SERS-active substrates for sensing of it, which exhibited an excellent linear performance in the range of 5 × 10−8 to 1 × 10−6 mol/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.34 × 10−8 mol/L (S/N = 3). Due to high-density hot spots with easy operation, this proposed GO/Au nanocomposite–based SERS technique holds great potential in the application of food safety analysis and biomedical science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyrifos is a type of organophosphate insecticide used extensively in the plantation of tomatoes, a worldwide popular food. However, chlorpyrifos residues on tomatoes bring risks to human health considering the consumption level of tomato is relatively high across many countries. Accurate detection and strict regulation of chlorpyrifos residues are very important in controlling health risks related to chlorpyrifos. Therefore, we developed a rapid, highly sensitive, economical, and nondestructive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based method that can quantitatively determine the content of chlorpyrifos in tomatoes. Silver colloid was optimized and used as the enhance substrate for SERS. Chlorpyrifos residues on tomato surface and in tomato extract were both measured with SERS, and the results acquired under these practical conditions well matched those of chlorpyrifos standard solutions. Linear relationships between chlorpyrifos concentrations and SERS intensities at crucial characteristic peaks under both conditions were established, and the results showed linearity across the entire measured range from 10−3 to 10−9 mol L−1. The detection limit of the proposed method was 10−9 mol L−1, which was much lower than the standards of chlorpyrifos use for China, Japan and EU, and was the lowest reported concentration chlorpyrifos had been measured on any fruit/vegetable surface or in its extract. The proposed method was very promising in the accurate, quantitative detection of pesticide residues, and it may be adapted to a variety of agricultural products and other areas in food science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction mechanisms of several amino acids (Asn, Gln, Arg, His, and Lys) in the collagen with aldehyde were studied using density functional theory method. Based on the geometry optimization, results expounded the singlet and doublet reaction mechanisms, respectively, and discussed the structural properties of intermediates, transition states, and products that appeared along the corresponding potential energy surfaces. The reaction along the doublet potential energy surface is more thermodynamically favorable than that along the singlet one. However, the reactions obeying the doublet route only produce the carbinolamine type of compounds, rather than the Schiff bases. It is because that the doublet mechanism involves only the hydrogen abstraction or hydrogen exchange process, without the dehydration process. The Schiff base types of compounds are most likely to be obtained from the singlet reactions of Asn, Gln, Arg, and Lys with aldehyde. In order to assist the experiment in identification of product structures and reaction mechanism correctly, the vibrational modes of each product with distinctive features were analyzed and compared in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are of tremendous interest to integrated photonics, given their singular optical characteristics spanning light emission, modulation, saturable absorption and nonlinear optics. To harness their optical properties, these atomically thin materials are usually attached onto prefabricated devices via a transfer process. Here, we present a new route for 2D material integration with planar photonics. Central to this approach is the use of chalcogenide glass, a multifunctional material that can be directly deposited and patterned on a wide variety of 2D materials and can simultaneously function as the light-guiding medium, a gate dielectric and a passivation layer for 2D materials. Besides achieving improved fabrication yield and throughput compared with the traditional transfer process, our technique also enables unconventional multilayer device geometries optimally designed for enhancing light-matter interactions in the 2D layers. Capitalizing on this facile integration method, we demonstrate a series of high-performance glass-on-graphene devices including ultra-broadband on-chip polarizers, energy-efficient thermo-optic switches, as well as graphene-based mid-infrared waveguide-integrated photodetectors and modulators. Exploiting the peculiar properties of graphene, a series of high-performance glass-on-graphene devices, such as polarizers, thermo-optic switches and mid-infrared waveguide-integrated photodetectors and modulators are realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysiloxane containing tertiary amino group (P(SiO)(SiOTA)) with different molecular weight was synthesized through equilibrium polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D) and hydrolysis of N, N-diethyl-aminopropyl-methyldimethoxysilane (TAMDESi) in the presence of potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. After that, polysiloxane quaternary ammonium salt containing epoxy group (P(SiO)(SiOQAEp)) with different molecular weight and cationic concentration was obtained from P(SiO)(SiOTA) and epichlorohydrin by quaternization. It was shown that P(SiO)(SiOQAEp) surfactant exhibited low surface tension ( γ < 30.00 mN/m) at the critical micellization concentration. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (Δ G, Δ H, Δ S) indicated that the micellization of P(SiO)(SiOQAEp) surfactant was enthalpy-driven. In particular, it was found that the glass transition temperature ( T) of P(SiO)(SiOQAEp) varied in the range of −15 ∼ -70 °C according to the molecular weights, and the thermal decomposition temperature was higher than 220 °C. This type of surfactant had excellent low temperature flexibility as well as good chemical and thermal stability. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus), respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against S. aureus and E. coli were below 1.5-2.8 × 10 mol/L, which indicated that P(SiO)(SiOQAEp) had strong antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibetan chicken lives in high-altitude area and has adapted well to hypoxia genetically. Shouguang chicken and Silky chicken are both lowland chicken breeds. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of the three chicken breeds were all sequenced. The results showed that the mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of Shouguang chicken and Silky chicken consist of 16784 bp and 16785 bp respectively, and Tibetan chicken mitochondrial genome varies from 16784 bp to 16786 bp. After sequence analysis, 120 mutations, including 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tRNA genes, 9 SNPs and 1 insertion in rRNA genes, 38 SNPs and 1 deletion in D-LOOP, 66 SNPs in protein-coding genes, were found. This work will provide clues for the future study on the association between mitochondrial genes and the adaptation to hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-type calcium channels exhibit fast voltage-dependent inactivation, for which the underlying structure-function relationship still remains unclear. To investigate the roles of S4 segments in volt- age-dependent inactivation of T-type calcium channels, we created S4 replacement chimeras between Cav3.1 calcium channels (fast voltage-dependent inactivation) and Cav1.2 calcium channels (little voltage-dependent inactivation) by replacing S4s in Cav3.1 with the corresponding regions in Cav1.2. Wild type and chimeric channels were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and channel currents were recorded with two-electrode voltage-clamp. We showed that replacing S4 region in domain I shifted voltage-dependence for inactivation of Cav3.1 to the left, and the V0.5 inact and kinact value were significantly changed. However replacing S4s in domains II-IV had no effects on the voltage-dependent inactivation properties. These results suggest that the roles of S4 segments in domains l-IV are different, and S4 in domain I is likely to be involved in voltage-dependent inactivation process. Its movement during membrane depolarization may trigger a conformational change in the inactivation gate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chicken embryo is a classic model used to investigate embryonic development, gene expression, and tissue differentiation, and is also an important research tool in studying the animal functional genomics. The whole blastoderms of fresh unincubated eggs from White Leghorn chickens were collected with a paper ring, mechanically broken into small pieces and cultured in medium. Then the small pieces would develop into blastocyte-like structures (BLS), which could be facilitated by an addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS) to the primary culture and their diameter was nearly doubled from 12 to 24 h. The additional yolk had no positive effect on the development in the first 12 h but encouraged the BLSs attaching and inner cells differentiating instead in 24 h. The inner cells of the BLS showing a high alkaline-phosphatase activity similar to those in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and also expressing a large amount of the specific stage embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) on the surface, which was known to be the characteristic of non-differentiated mouse and avian ES cells, could finally differentiate into nerve-like cells, fibroblast cells and so on in the medium. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) facilitated the cells’ proliferation and prevented differentiation in the suspended culture of the BLSs. So we drew the conclusion that the BLS obtained from broken blastoderm can be used to amplify avian ES cells so as to initiate a new method of producing transgenic chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined the properties and the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA in Cucumis sativus. Background on mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA; Methodology; Results and discussion.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) system capable of exhibiting different particle size at different temperature was developed, which depended on the extent of Diels–Alder (DA) reaction of bismaleimide with furan. Thus, Ag NPs were functionalized on the surface by a furyl-substituted carbene through an insertion reaction. Subsequent reversible DA crosslinking achieved a controlled aggregation with different particle size, which gives a series of different antibacterial activity. These Ag NPs were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Nanoparticle Size Analyzer. The aggregation of the Ag NPs could be reliably adjusted by varying the temperature of DA/reverse-DA reaction. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the inhibition zone method against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which decreased first and then increased in agreement with the size evolution of Ag NPs. This approach opens a new horizon for the carbene chemistry to modify silver nanoparticles with variable size and give controlled antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical phase change materials (O-PCMs), a unique group of materials featuring exceptional optical property contrast upon a solid-state phase transition, have found widespread adoption in photonic applications such as switches, routers and reconfigurable meta-optics. Current O-PCMs, such as Ge–Sb–Te (GST), exhibit large contrast of both refractive index (Δn) and optical loss (Δk), simultaneously. The coupling of both optical properties fundamentally limits the performance of many applications. Here we introduce a new class of O-PCMs based on Ge–Sb–Se–Te (GSST) which breaks this traditional coupling. The optimized alloy, Ge2Sb2Se4Te1, combines broadband transparency (1–18.5 μm), large optical contrast (Δn = 2.0), and significantly improved glass forming ability, enabling an entirely new range of infrared and thermal photonic devices. We further demonstrate nonvolatile integrated optical switches with record low loss and large contrast ratio and an electrically-addressed spatial light modulator pixel, thereby validating its promise as a material for scalable nonvolatile photonics. Here, the authors introduce optical phase change materials based on Ge-Sb-Se-Te which breaks the coupling between refractive index and optical loss allowing low-loss performance benefits. They demonstrate low losses in nonvolatile photonic circuits and electrical pixelated switching have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many phenotypic traits of chickens have been well documented, the genetic patterns of gene expression levels in chickens remain to be determined. In the present study, we crossed two chicken breeds, White Leghorn (WL) and Cornish (Cor), which have been selected for egg and meat production, respectively, for a few hundred years. We evaluated transcriptome abundance in the brain, muscle, and liver from the day-old progenies of pure-bred WL and Cor, and the hybrids of these two breeds, by RNA-Seq in order to determine the inheritance patterns of gene expression. Comparison among expression levels in the different groups revealed that most of the genes showed conserved expression patterns in all three examined tissues and that brain had the highest number of conserved genes, which indicates that conserved genes are predominantly important compared to others. On the basis of allelic expression analysis, in addition to the conserved genes, we identified the extensive presence of additive, dominant (Cor dominant and WL dominant), over-dominant, and under-dominant genes in all three tissues in hybrids. Our study is the first to provide an overview of inheritance patterns of the transcriptome in layers and broilers, and we also provide insights into the genetics of chickens at the gene expression level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the version of this Article originally published online, the following statement for the equally contributing authors was missing: “Hongtao Lin, Yi Song, Yizhong Huang and Derek Kita contributed equally to this work.” This has now been corrected in all versions of the Article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperpigmentation in Silky Fowl (SF) results in aberrant immune cell development. However, how melanocytes regulate B-cell proliferation in the bursa of Fabricius (BF) is unclear. To resolve this conundrum, we collected BFs from three-week-old SF and White Leghorn (WL) female chickens for RNA sequencing. The BF development was relatively weaker in SF than in WL. The transcriptome analyses identified 4848 differentially expressed genes, 326 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 67 microRNAs in the BF of SF. The genes associated with melanogenesis was significantly higher, but that of the genes associated with the cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and JAK-STAT signalling pathway was significantly lower in SF than in WL. Crucial biological processes, such as the receptor activity, cell communication, and cellular responses to stimuli, were clustered in SF. The predicted target lncRNAs genes were mainly associated with cell proliferation pathways such as JAK-STAT, WNT, MAPK, and Notch signalling pathways. Except for the above pathways, the target microRNA genes were related to the metabolism, melanogenesis, autophagy, and NOD-like and Toll-like receptor signalling pathways. The lncRNAs and microRNAs were predicted to regulate the JAK2, STAT3, and IL-15 genes. Thus, B-cell development in the BF of SF might be regulated and affected by noncoding RNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and the role of its key molecular regulators, STIM1 and ORAI1, in the development of cancer are emerging. Here, we report an unexpected dual function of SOCE in prostate cancer progression by revealing a decrease in the expression of STIM1 in human hyperplasia and tumor tissues of high histological grade and by demonstrating that STIM1 and ORAI1 inhibit cell growth by arresting the G0/G1 phase and enhancing cell senescence in human prostate cancer cells. In addition, STIM1 and ORAI1 inhibited NF-κB signaling and remodeled the tumor microenvironment by reducing the formation of M2 phenotype macrophages, possibly creating an unfavorable tumor microenvironment and inhibiting cancer development. However, STIM1 also promoted cell migration and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by activating TGF-β, Snail and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways. Thus, our study revealed novel regulatory effects and the mechanisms by which STIM1 affects cell senescence, tumor migration and the tumor microenvironment, revealing that STIM1 has multiple functions in prostate cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]