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Purpose: To investigate fluid absorption and its influencing factors during flexible ureteroscopy with intelligent control of renal pelvic pressure (RPP). Methods: A total of 80 patients with upper urinary tract calculi underwent flexible ureteroscopy with intelligent control of RPP by pressure-measuring ureteral access sheath and were randomly divided into four groups. The RPP of Groups A, B, and C were set at – 5, 0 and 5 mmHg, respectively. Conventional flexible ureteroscopy with uncontrolled pressure served as control Group D. The perfusion flow rate was set at 100 ml/min in the four groups, with 20 patients in each group. The fluid absorption was measured by 1% ethanol every 10 min. Operation time, stone-free rate, and complications were recorded. Result: Seventy-three patients were finally included in the RCT. The general and preoperative data of the patients were comparable between the groups. The fluid absorption of Groups A, B, and C was significantly less than that of Group D (P < 0.01). Fluid absorption and operation time were positively correlated, and the correlation coefficients R were 0.864, 0.896, 0.918, and 0.947, respectively (P < 0.01). The fluid absorption of patients with vomiting, fever and ureteral injury was greater than that of patients without complications in the four groups (P < 0.01). In different groups, fluid absorption was greater in patients with ureteral injury Post-Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS) 1–3 than in noninjured patients (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Flexible ureteroscopy with intelligent control of RPP effectively reduces the absorption of perfusion fluid. Operation time and ureteral injury are also key factors affecting perfusion fluid absorption. Registration number and date: NCT05201599; August 11, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, heterogenous hematopoetic malignancies with poor long-term prognosis. T-cell mediated tumor killing plays a key role in tumor immunity. Here, we explored the prognostic performance and functional significance of a T-cell mediated tumor killing sensitivity gene (GSTTK)-based prognostic score (TTKPI). Methods: Publicly available transcriptomic data for AML were obtained from TCGA and NCBI-GEO. GSTTK were identified from the TISIDB database. Signature GSTTK for AML were identified by differential expression analysis, COX proportional hazards and LASSO regression analysis and a comprehensive TTKPI score was constructed. Prognostic performance of the TTKPI was examined using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Receiver operating curves, and nomogram analysis. Association of TTKPI with clinical phenotypes, tumor immune cell infiltration patterns, checkpoint expression patterns were analysed. Drug docking was used to identify important candidate drugs based on the TTKPI-component genes. Results: From 401 differentially expressed GSTTK in AML, 24 genes were identified as signature genes and used to construct the TTKPI score. High-TTKPI risk score predicted worse survival and good prognostic accuracy with AUC values ranging from 75 to 96%. Higher TTKPI scores were associated with older age and cancer stage, which showed improved prognostic performance when combined with TTKPI. High TTKPI was associated with lower naïve CD4 T cell and follicular helper T cell infiltrates and higher M2 macrophages/monocyte infiltration. Distinct patterns of immune checkpoint expression corresponded with TTKPI score groups. Three agents; DB11791 (Capmatinib), DB12886 (GSK-1521498) and DB14773 (Lifirafenib) were identified as candidates for AML. Conclusion: A T-cell mediated killing sensitivity gene-based prognostic score TTKPI showed good accuracy in predicting survival in AML. TTKPI corresponded to functional and immunological features of the tumor microenvironment including checkpoint expression patterns and should be investigated for precision medicine approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation from one compound to another involves the breaking and formation of chemical bonds at the single-bond level, especially during catalytic reactions that are of great significance in broad fields such as energy conversion, environmental science, life science and chemical synthesis. The study of the reaction process at the single-bond limit is the key to understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism and further rationally designing catalysts. Here, we develop a method to monitor the catalytic process from the perspective of the single-bond energy using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy single-molecule junctions. Experimental and theoretical studies consistently reveal that the attack of a halogen atom on an Au atom can reduce the breaking energy of Au−S bonds, thereby accelerating the bond cleavage reaction and shortening the plateau length during the single-molecule junction breaking. Furthermore, the distinction in catalytic activity between different halogen atoms can be compared as well. This study establishes the intrinsic relationship among the reaction activation energy, the chemical bond breaking energy and the single-molecule junction breaking process, strengthening our mastery of catalytic reactions towards precise chemistry.Investigation of the reaction process at the single-bond interface is key to understanding the catalytic reaction mechanism. Here, the authors develop a STM-BJ method to monitor the catalytic process from the perspective of single-bond energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis is essential for the treatment and prevention of nasopharyngeal cancer. However, there is a lack of effective biological indicators for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, we explored the potential biomarkers in tumour-educated blood platelet (TEP) RNA in early NPC. Platelets were isolated from blood plasma and their RNA was extracted. High-throughput sequenced data from a total of 33 plasma samples were analysed using DESeq2 to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, the DEGs were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), gene ontology (GO) analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis; and Cytoscape, TargetScan, and miRanda software were used for inferring the competing endogenous RNA network. We identified 19 long non-coding (lnc) RNAs (DElncRNAs) and 248 mRNAs (DEmRNAs) that were differentially expressed in the TEP RNA. In addition, SELP gene mRNA and lncRNAs AC092135.3, AC012358.2, AL021807.1, AP001972.5, and GPX1 were found to be down-regulated DEmRNA and DElncRNAs in the early stage of NPC. Bioinformatic analysis showed that these DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs may be involved in regulating the pathogenesis of NPC. Our research may provide new insights for exploring the biological mechanisms of NPC and early diagnosis using potential biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural frequency and life of the compressor blades of the aero-engine were obtained by the modal and high cycle fatigue (HCF) experiment. Two failure criteria of compressor blades: vibratory stress and fatigue crack growth were investigated through theoretical and simulation techniques. The study found that resonant generates a non-proportional loads history output in the different regions of the compressor blade in the HCF test. The predictions of the crack growth path are compared with the experiment results. The sensitivity of vibratory stress and resonant frequency to crack locations and lengths are researched. The distribution characteristics of stress and crack should be fully understood before to make a more accurate fracture failure analysis and life predictions are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue-like cultured meats of some livestock have successfully been established by different approaches. However, the production of a structure similar to fish fillets is still challenging. Here, we develop tissue-like cultured fish fillets by assembly of large yellow croaker muscle fibers and adipocytes with 3D-printed gel. Inhibition of Tgf-β and Notch signals significantly promoted myogenic differentiation of piscine satellite cells (PSCs). The mixture of fish gelatin and sodium alginate combined with a p53 inhibitor and a Yap activator supported PSC viability and proliferation. Based on the texture of fish muscle tissue, a 3D scaffold was constructed by gelatin-based gel mixed with PSCs. After proliferation and differentiation, the muscle scaffold was filled with cultured piscine adipocytes. Finally, tissue-like fish fillets with 20 × 12 × 4 mm were formed, consisting of 5.67 × 107 muscles and 4.02 × 107 adipocytes. The biomanufacture of tissue-like cultured fish fillet here could be a promising technology to customize meat production with high fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finite element model and fracture mechanic theory are applied to analyze the contact stress and fatigue crack growth (FCG) path in three dimensions for a transmission shaft, which owns the initial crack and runs with the periodic load. The study found that the periodic load generates a non-proportional stress intensity factor history (SIF) output in the root of the splines. A modified method based on Hertz theory and AGMA (American Gear Manufacture Association) standard is utilized to analyze contact stress with considering the crack growth. From this, it is feasible to predict FCG path in three dimensions for a cracked component. The comparison between the simulation and experiment illustrates that the crack growth path is sensitive to the location and magnitude of loads. Contact regions of stress and fracture mechanic parameters should be deeply analyzed and known before predicting FCG path in three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Code review is intended to find bugs in early development phases, improving code quality for later integration and testing. However, due to the lack of experience with algorithm design, or software development, individual novice programmers face challenges while reviewing code. In this paper, we utilize collaborative eye tracking to record the gaze data from multiple reviewers, and share the gaze visualization among them during the code review process. The visualizations, such as borders highlighting current reviewed code lines, transition lines connecting related reviewed code lines, reveal the visual attention about program functions that can facilitate understanding and bug tracing. This can help novice reviewers to make sense to confirm the potential bugs or avoid repeated reviewing of code, and potentially even help to improve reviewing skills. We built a prototype system, and conducted a user study with paired reviewers. The results showed that the shared real-time visualization allowed the reviewers to find bugs more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We first performed the AcrVA5-mediated in vitro acetylation experiment and showed that the AcrVA5-acetylated I Lachnospiraceae bacterium i (Lb) Cas12a lost both I cis i - and I trans i -cleavage activities towards double-stranded target DNA (dsDNA) (Supplementary Fig. As the PAM site is only necessary for Cas12a to recognize target dsDNA but not ssDNA[8], the above results further confirmed that AcrVA5-mediated acetylation prevented Cas12a from interacting with the PAM sequences in target dsDNA[5]. To test whether CobB can deacetylate the AcrVA5-treated Cas12a and reactivate its I cis i - and I trans i -cleavage activities, we then purified recombinant I E. coli i CobB and LbCas12a and performed the in vitro deacetylation assay. [Extracted from the article]

Key message: The pepper restorer-of-fertility (CaRf) gene was fine mapped based on conjoint analysis of recombinants and collinearity between the two pepper reference genomes. Capana06g003028, encoding an Rf-like PPR protein, was proposed as the strongest candidate for pepper CaRf based on sequence comparison and expression analysis. The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)/restorer-of-fertility (Rf) system not only provides an excellent model to dissect genetic interactions between the mitochondria and nucleus but also plays a vital role in high-efficiency hybrid seed production in crops including pepper (Capsicum spp.). Although two important CMS candidate genes, orf507 and Ψatp6-2, have previously been suggested, the pepper Rf gene (CaRf) has not yet been isolated. In this study, a high-density genetic map comprising 7566 SNP markers in 1944 bins was first constructed with the array genotyping results from 317 F2 individuals. Based on this map, the CaRf gene was preliminarily mapped to a region of 1.15 Mb in length at the end of chromosome P6. Then, by means of a conjoint analysis of recombinants and collinearity between the two pepper reference genomes, an important candidate interval with 270.10 kb in length was delimited for CaRf. Finally, Capana06g003028, which encodes an Rf-like PPR protein, was proposed as the strongest candidate for CaRf based on sequence analysis and expression characteristics in sterile and fertile plants. The high-density genetic map and fine mapping results provided here lay a foundation for the application of molecular breeding, as well as cloning and functional analysis of CaRf, in pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of doped 1-D nonlinear Poisson’s equations existing in conventional and junctionless multi-gate MOSFET modeling literature are extensively examined. It is found that their reference levels used to define the potential in Poisson’s equation are different, and some of them are not compatible with the potential definition in the commonly used formula of oxide-interface boundary condition. Those correct equations are identified by showing their compatibility with the oxide-interface boundary condition and verified by TCAD simulations. Moreover, the necessity to introduce the concept of neutralization voltage to replace the flat-band voltage for non-uniformly doped MOSFETs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregation behaviors of X-shaped block copolymers, Tetronic 1107 and Tetronic 90R4 with a sequential and reverse architecture, at the air/water interface were studied. The effects of block sequence, concentration, and temperature were investigated by equilibrium surface tension, surface dilational viscoelasticity, and surface tension relaxation measurements. The conformations of Tetronic 1107 and Tetronic 90R4 are different at the air/water interface. The possible adsorption model of Tetronic 1107 is 'brush' and that of Tetronic 90R4 is invert 'umbrella'. With the increase of temperature, the dilational modulus of Tetronic 1107 solutions decreases, while that of Tetronic 90R4 solutions increases. The mechanisms of the temperature which effects on the conformational transition of Tetronic 1107 and Tetronic 90R4 were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters for the micellization of Tetronic 1107 and Tetronic 90R4 were compared at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of inorganic salts (CaCl 2, MgCl 2, NaCl, NaI and NaSCN) on the aggregation behavior of a synthesized polyether with seven poly (ethylene oxide)- b-poly (propylene oxide)- b-poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) arms attached to a tetraethylenepentamine core (simplified AE73) at air/water and n-heptane/water interfaces has been investigated by interfacial tension and oscillating bubble methods. The additions of NaCl, CaCl 2, and MgCl 2 may facilitate the micellization of AE73 and increase its maximum interfacial excess concentration (Γ max) due to the “salting out” effect, while NaSCN induces opposite effect and NaI exerts little influence. The adsorption kinetics of AE73 is controlled not only by the diffusion between the bulk solution and the interfacial layer but also by the energetic and steric barriers generated by the already adsorbed molecules. The adsorption relaxation time of AE73 is reduced with the addition of salts and this phenomenon is more prominent at the n-heptane/water interface. The “salting in” ions decrease the dilational modulus of AE73 while the “salting out” ions induce an opposite effect. The mechanisms of the interaction between inorganic ions and the polyether were discussed; the difference in aggregation behavior between linear and branched block polyethers were also compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]