Quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structure beamline at SSRF

The layout and characteristics of the hard X-ray spectroscopy beamline(BL11B)at the Shanghai synchrotron radiation facility are described herein.BL11B is a bending-magnet beamline dedicated to conventional and millisecond-scale quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structures.It is equipped with a cylindrical collimating mirror,a double-crystal monochromator comprising Si(111)and Si(311),a channel-cut quick-scanning Si(111)monochromator,a toroidal focusing mirror,and a high harmonics rejection mirror.It can provide 5-30 keV of X-rays with a photon flux of~5×10^(11)photons/s and an energy resolution of~1.31×10^(-4)at 10 keV.The performance of the beamline can satisfy the demands of users in the fields of catalysis,materials,and environmental science.This paper presents an overview of the beamline design and a detailed description of its performance and capabilities.

Nonlinear differential geometric guidance for maneuvering target

Based on the idea of zeroing the line of sight rate（LOSR）,a novel nonlinear differential geometric（DG） law for intercepting the agile target is proposed.In the first part,the DG formulations are utilized to describe the relatively kinematics model of missile and target,and the nonlinear DG guidance（DGG） law is proposed based on the nonlinear control theory to eliminate the influence brought by target.Further,the missile guidance commands are derived to overcome the information loss caused by decoupling condition,the new necessary initial condition is developed to guarantee capture the agile target.Then,the designed nonlinear DGG commands are transformed from an arc-length system to the time domain.A desirable aspect of the designed guidance law is that it does not require rigorous information about target acceleration.Representative numerical results show that the designed guidance law obtain a better performance than the traditional DGG law for agile target.

Improving the stability and scalability of all-inorganic inverted CsPbI_(2)Br perovskite solar cell

All-inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs) have potential to pass the stability international standard of IEC61215:2016 but cannot deliver high performance and stability due to the poor interface contact. In this paper, Sn-doped TiO_(2)(Ti_(1-x)Sn_(x)O_(2)) ultrathin nanoparticles are prepared for electron transport layer(ETL) by solution process. The ultrathin Ti_(1-x)Sn_(x)O_(2) nanocrystals have greatly improved interface contact due to the facile film formation, good conductivity and high work function. The all-inorganic inverted NiOx/CsPbI_(2)Br/Ti_(1-x)Sn_(x)O_(2)p-i-n device shows a power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 14.0%. We tested the heat stability, light stability and light-heat stability. After stored in 85℃ for 65 days, the inverted PSCs still retains 98% of initial efficiency. Under continuous standard one-sun illumination for 600 h,there is no efficiency decay, and under continuous illumination at 85℃ for 200 h, the device still retains 85% of initial efficiency. The 1.0 cm^(2) device of inverted structure shows a PCE of up to 11.2%. The ultrathin Ti_(1-x)Sn_(x)O_(2)is promising to improve the scalability and stability and thus increase the commercial prospect.

Self‑Generated Buried Submicrocavities for High‑Performance Near‑Infrared Perovskite Light‑Emitting Diode

ABSTRACT Embedding submicrocavities is an effective approach to improve the light out-coupling efficiency(LOCE)for planar perovskite light-emitting diodes(PeLEDs).In this work,we employ phenethylammonium iodide(PEAI)to trigger the Ostwald ripening for the downward recrystallization of perovskite,resulting in spontaneous formation of buried submicrocavities as light output coupler.The simulation suggests the buried submicrocavities can improve the LOCE from 26.8 to 36.2%for near-infrared light.Therefore,PeLED yields peak external quantum efficiency(EQE)increasing from 17.3%at current density of 114 mA cm^(−2)to 25.5%at current density of 109 mA cm^(−2)and a radiance increasing from 109 to 487 W sr^(−1)m^(−2)with low rolling-off.The turn-on voltage decreased from 1.25 to 1.15 V at 0.1 W sr^(−1)m^(−2).Besides,downward recrystallization process slightly reduces the trap density from 8.90×10^(15)to 7.27×10^(15)cm^(−3).This work provides a self-assembly method to integrate buried output coupler for boosting the performance of PeLEDs.

Hepatitis B virus X protein enhances hepatocarcinogenesis by depressing the targeting of NUSAP1 mRNA by miR-18b

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism whereby HBx modulates the targeting of NUSAP1 by miR-18b to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis.Methods: We employed an integrated approach of bioinformatics analysis and molecular experiments in hepatoma cells, HBV transgenic mice, and clinical liver cancer tissues to investigate the role of HBx-regulated miR-18b in the development of liver cancer.Results: In this study, we report that the HBx-mediated tumor suppressor miR-18b modulates hepatocarcinogenesis during the host-HBV interaction. The expression levels of miR-18b were lower in clinical HBV-positive liver cancer tissues and liver tissues of HBV-transgenic mice. Interestingly, HBx inhibited miR-18b expression by inducing the methylation of CpG islands in its promoter. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that HBx enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis by increasing the expression of target genes of miR-18b. Moreover, we identified nucleolar spindle-associated protein 1(NUSAP1) as one of the target genes of miR-18b.NUSAP1 was expressed at high levels in liver cancer tissues. Interestingly, HBx up-regulated NUSAP1 by suppressing miR-18b.Functionally, miR-18b significantly inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma cells by depressing NUSAP1 levels in vivo and in vitro.Conclusions: Thus, we conclude that the targeting of NUSAP1 mRNA by the tumor suppressor miR-18b is controlled by HBxmodulated promoter methylation during the host-virus interaction, leading to hepatocarcinogenesis. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which HBx-mediated miRNAs modulate hepatocarcinogenesis.

Red Blood Cell-Mimic Nanocatalyst Triggering Radical Storm to Augment Cancer Immunotherapy

Red blood cells(RBCs)have recently emerged as promosing candidates for cancer treatment in terms of relieving tumor hypoxia and inducing oxidative damage against cancer cells,but they are still far from satisfactory due to their limited oxygen transport and reactive oxygen species generation rate in tumor tissue.Herein,artificial RBCs(designated FTP@RBCM)with radical storm production ability were developed for oncotherapy through multidimensional reactivity pathways of Fe-protoporphyrin-based hybrid metal-organic frameworks(FTPs,as the core),including photodynamic/chemodynamic-like,catalase-like and glutathione peroxidase-like activities.Meanwhile,owing to the advantages of long circulation abilities of RBCs provided by their cell membranes(RBCMs),FTP with a surface coated with RBCMs(FTP@RBCM)could enormously accumulate at tumor site to achieve remarkably enhanced therapeutic efficiency.Intriguingly,this ROS-mediated dynamic therapy was demonstrated to induce acute local inflammation and high immunogenic cancer death,which evoked a systemic antitumor immune response when combined with the newly identified T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing molecule 3(Tim-3)checkpoint blockade,leading to not only effective elimination of primary tumors but also an abscopal effect of growth suppression of distant tumors.Therefore,such RBC-mimic nanocatalysts with multidimensional catalytic capacities might provide a promising new insight into synergistic cancer treatment.

In-situ high-energy-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy for UO2 oxidation at SSRF

Based on the high-energy-resolution fluorescence spectrometer on the BL14W1 beamline at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility,an in-situ high-energyresolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy technique,with an in-situ heating cell,was developed.The high-energyresolution fluorescence detection for X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy(HERFD-XANES) was tested in a UO_2 oxidation experiment to measure the UL_3-edge,with higher signal-to-noise ratio and higher-energy-resolution than conventional XANES.The technique has potential application for in-situ study of uranium-based materials.

Achieving highly selective electrochemical CO_(2) reduction to C_(2)H_(4) on Cu nanosheets

The conversion of CO_(2)into value-added chemicals coupled with the storage of intermittent renewable electricity is attractive.CuO nanosheets with an average size and thickness of~30 and~20 nm have been developed,which are in situ reduced into Cu nanosheets during electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction(ECO_(2)RR).The derived Cu nanosheets demonstrate much higher selectivity for C2H4production than commercial CuO derived Cu powder,with an optimum Faradaic efficiency of 56.2%and a partial current density of C_(2)H_(4)as large as 171.0 mA cm^(-2)in a gas diffusion flow cell.The operando attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectra measurements and density functional theory simulations illustrate that the high activity and selectivity of Cu nanosheets originate from the edge sites on Cu nanosheets with a coordinate number around 5(4–6),which facilitates the formation of^(*)CHO rather than^(*)COH intermediate,meanwhile boosting the C-C coupling reaction of^(*)CO and^(*)CHO intermediates,which are the critical steps for C_(2)H_(4)formation.

原子分散Ru-P-Ru催化剂的制备及其在多类加氢中的高效应用

单原子催化剂以最大化的金属原子利用率和较好的选择性,成为近年来催化研究领域的热点,但在选择性加氢应用中常常由于缺电子的金属中心对底物/氢气的活化能力较弱导致其催化活性较低.因此,如何保持最大原子利用率和高选择性的同时,进一步提高活性对于升级单原子催化剂具有重要意义.本文通过浸渍-再分散策略,制备出原子分散的Ru-P-Ru催化剂.球差扫描透射电镜、X射线吸收精细结构谱等表征和理论计算结果表明,其金属活性位点为P桥连的Ru-P-Ru结构.制备了不同还原温度的对照催化剂,结合X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和原位程序升温还原联用质谱(H_(2)-TPR-MS)对催化剂的形成过程进行了详细研究.XPS结果表明,随着还原温度的升高,P掺杂介孔碳表面的高氧化态P物种被还原为具有强配位能力的C-P物种,为金属的再分散提供了合适的配位环境,同时,H_(2)-TPR-MS检测到载体表面部分P物种被还原为具有强Lewis碱性的PH_(3),PH_(3)与金属原子通过强Lewis酸碱相互作用可促进金属的再分散形成Ru-P-Ru结构.在邻苯二甲酸酐(PA)选择性加氢制备苯酞的反应中,相较于Ru纳米颗粒催化剂,Ru-P-Ru表现出了更高的选择性(≥98%),且活性(TOF)相较于P配位的Ru单原子催化剂提升了约9倍.实验表征(IR底物吸附和H_(2)-D_(2)交换实验)和理论计算(LDOS)研究表明,Ru-P-Ru的d电子中心更接近费米能级,促进了催化剂对底物的吸附活化,显著降低了加氢反应的表观活化能.此外,借助原位红外和理论计算对反应机理进行了研究,发现PA首先经过开环,然后-C=O加氢生成邻羧酸苯甲醇中间体,再分子内酯化关环得到目标产物苯酞.此外,Ru-P-Ru催化剂在取代邻苯二甲酸酐、芳香醛、喹啉的加氢和醛的还原胺化反应中,也均表现出较好的催化活性、选择性和稳定性.该浸渍-再分散制备策略还可以应用于制备Fe-P-Fe和Pt-P-Pt催化剂.综上,本文为研制具有杂原子配位结构的原子级分散金属催化剂以及通过调变结构调控催化活性提供了新思路.

Traffic Pollution Influences Leaf Biochemistries of <i>Broussonetia papyrifera</i>

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is one of multifunctional species in agroforestry systems as well as one of traditional forages in many countries of Asia. Fully expanded tender leaves of B. papyrifera wildly growing under two traffic densities (a high traffic loads bearing more than 1000 vehicles per hour, HT;and a relatively clear section with almost no traffic loads, NT) were collected for carbohydrates, amino acids and phytohormones analysis. Leaves exposed to traffic pollutants were revealed to have significant lower amounts of carbohydrates and total amino acids than those growing at relatively clear environment. The levels of abscisic acid in the leaves significantly increased, while gib-berellin acid, indoleaetic acid, and zeatin riboside in the leaves significantly decreased, with the traffic densities. The results indicated that the contents of carbohydrates, amino acids and phytohormones in the leaves of B. papyrifera could be adversely affected by traffic pollution. Variations of the leaf biochemistries of B. papyrifera exposed to traffic pollutants implied that B. papyrifera could physiologically regulate itself to adapt or resist traffic stress.

A novel BODIPY-based nano-photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission for cancer photodynamic therapy

The discovery of aggregation induced enmission(AIE)effect provides opportunities for the rapid development of fuorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy(PDT).In this work,a boron dipyrromethene(BODIPY)-based photosensitizer(ET-BDP-O)with AIE characteristics was developed,in which the two linear arms of BODIPY group were linked with triphenylamine to form an electron Donor-Acceptor-Donor(D-A-D)architecture while side chain was equipped with triethylene glycol group.ET-BDP-O was able to directly self-assemble into nanoparticles(NPs)without supplement of any other matrices or stabilizers due to its amphiphilic property.The as-prepared ET-BDP-O NPs had an excellent colloid stability with the size of 125 nm.Benefiting from the AIE property,ET-BDP-O NPs could generate strong fluorescence and reactive oxygen species under light-emitting diode light rradiation(60mW/cm^(2)).After inter-nalized in cancer cells,ET-BDP-O NPs were able to emit bright red fuorescence signal for bioimaging.In addition,the cell viability assay demonstrated that the ET-BDP-O NPs exhibited excellent photocytotoxicity against cancer cells,while negligible cytotoicity under dark envi-ronment.Thus,ET-BDP-O NPs might be regarded as a promising photosensitizer for fluores-cence imaging-guided PDT in future.

Efficient epoxidation of propylene over non-noble nickel-based catalyst promoted by alkali metals

The application of non-noble metal catalysts in the catalytic direct gas-phase epoxidation of propylene with H2and O2to produce propylene oxide is valuable and challenging. The introduction of alkali metal promoters is one of the effective methods to improve the catalytic activity of catalysts. Herein, a series of alkali metal(Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs)-promoted Ni/TS-1 catalysts were prepared to deeply understand the effect of alkali metals on the structure-activity relationship for gas-phase epoxidation of propylene. Among them, the Na-Ni/TS-1 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity(propylene conversion of 7.35% and PO formation rate of 157.9 g h^(-1)kg_(cat)^(-1)) and the best stability(long-term stability exceeding 140 h at 200 ℃). X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the electronic structure of Ni can be tuned by the addition of alkali metal promoters.NH3-TPD-MS, CO_(2)-TPD-MS, and C_(3)H_(6)-TPD-MS results indicate that the acidity of the catalyst can also be adjusted by the introduction of alkali metal, whereas the Na-Ni/TS-1 catalyst exhibits the strongest C_(3)H_(6) adsorption capacity. Thus, the suitable acid-base properties, unique electronic properties of Ni species, and the strongest propylene adsorption capacity resulted in improved propylene gas-phase epoxidation activity of Na-Ni/TS-1 catalyst. This study not only provides a new strategy for the practical application of nickel-based catalysts in the gas-phase epoxidation of propylene but also provides insights into the promoting effect of alkali metals.

Concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in needles of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) growing nearby different industrial sources

Emissions from industrial activities pose a serious threat to human health and impose the need for monitoring both inorganic and organic pollutants in industrial areas. We selected Masson pine （Pinus massoniana L.） as potential biomonitor and collected the current （C） and previous year （C＋ 1） needles from three industrial sites dominated by petrochemical, ceramics manufacturing, and iron and steel smelting plants and one remote site to determine heavy metals （Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni and Co） and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） in unwashed and water-washed needles. Both unwashed and washed C＋ 1 needles showed generally higher concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs than C needles, although the washed needles more clearly spotlighted the accumulation effect of PAHs over exposure time. Water-washing resulted in a significant decrease in needle PAH concentrations with more significant effects shown in C needles. By contrast, needle heavy metal concentrations were much less affected by washing. Although heavy metals and PAHs might differ in adsorption and uptake strategies, their higher concentrations in the needles at the industrial sites indicated conspicuous contamination due to industrial emissions there. The PAH distribution patterns in pine needles accorded with the real types of energy consumption in the study sites and were efficiently used for pinpointing local pollutant sources.

Intestinal dysbiosis exacerbates the pathogenesis of psoriasis-like phenotype through changes in fatty acid metabolism

The intestinal microbiota has been associated with host immunity as well as psoriasis;however,the mechanism of intestinal microbiota regulating psoriasis needs to be demonstrated systematically.Here,we sought to examine its role and mechanism of action in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.We found that the severity of psoriasis-like skin phenotype was accompanied by changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota.We performed co-housing and fecal microbial transplantation(FMT)experiments using the K14-VEGF transgenic mouse model of psoriasis and demonstrated that the transfer of intestinal microbiota from mice with severe psoriasis-like skin phenotype exacerbated psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice with mild symptoms,including increasing the infiltration and differentiation of Th17,and increased the abundance of Prevotella,while decreasing that of Parabacteroides distasonis,in the colon.These alterations affected fatty acid metabolism,increasing the abundance of oleic and stearic acids.Meanwhile,gentamicin treatment significantly reduced the abundance of Prevotella and alleviated the psoriasis-like symptoms in both K14-VEGF mice and imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mice.Indeed,administration of oleic and stearic acids exacerbated psoriasis-like symptoms and increased Th17 and monocyte-derived dendritic cell infiltration in the skin lesion areas in vivo,as well as increased the secretion of IL-23 by stimulating DCs in vitro.At last,we found that,treatment of PDE-4 inhibitor alleviated psoriasis-like phenotype of K14-VEGF mice accompanied by the recovery of intestinal microbiota,including the decrease of Prevotella and increase of Parabacteroides distasonis.Overall,our findings reveal that the intestinal microbiota modulates host metabolism and psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice,suggesting a new target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.

Interleukin-37 promotes colitis-associated carcinogenesis via SIGIRR-mediated cytotoxic T cells dysfunction

Interleukin-37b(hereafter called IL-37)was identified as fundamental inhibitor of natural and acquired immunity.The molecular mechanism and function of IL-37 in colorectal cancer(CRC)has been elusive.Here,we found that IL-37 transgenic(IL-37tg)mice were highly susceptible to colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)and suffered from dramatically increased tumor burdens in colon.Nevertheless,IL-37 is dispensable for intestinal mutagenesis,and CRC cell proliferation,apoptosis,and migration.Notably,IL-37 dampened protective cytotoxic T cell-mediated immunity in CAC and B16-OVA models.CD8^(+)T cell dysfunction is defined by reduced retention and activation as well as failure to proliferate and produce cytotoxic cytokines in IL-37tg mice,enabling tumor evasion of immune surveillance.The dysfunction led by IL-37 antagonizes IL-18–induced proliferation and effector function of CD8+T cells,which was dependent on SIGIRR(single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-related protein).Finally,we observed that IL-37 levels were significantly increased in CRC patients,and positively correlated with serum CRC biomarker CEA levels,but negatively correlated with the CD8+T cell infiltration in CRC patients.Our findings highlight the role of IL-37 in harnessing antitumor immunity by inactivation of cytotoxic T cells and establish a new defined inhibitory factor IL-37/SIGIRR in cancerimmunity cycle as therapeutic targets in CRC.

Low levels of neutralizing antibodies against XBB Omicron subvariants after BA.5 infection

The COVID-19 response strategies in Chinese mainland were recently adjusted due to the reduced pathogenicity and enhanced infectivity of Omicron subvariants.In Chengdu,China,an infection wave was predominantly induced by the BA.5 subvariant.It is crucial to determine whether the hybrid anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity following BA.5 infection.

Histones released by NETosis enhance the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by bridging the spike protein subunit 2 and sialic acid on host cells

Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)can capture and kill viruses,such as influenza viruses,human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),and respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),thus contributing to host defense.Contrary to our expectation,we show here that the histones released by NETosis enhance the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2,as found by using live SARS-CoV-2 and two pseudovirus systems as well as a mouse model.The histone H3 or H4 selectively binds to subunit 2 of the spike(S)protein,as shown by a biochemical binding assay,surface plasmon resonance and binding energy calculation as well as the construction of a mutant S protein by replacing four acidic amino acids.Sialic acid on the host cell surface is the key molecule to which histones bridge subunit 2 of the S protein.Moreover,histones enhance cell-cell fusion.Finally,treatment with an inhibitor of NETosis,histone H3 or H4,or sialic acid notably affected the levels of sgRNA copies and the number of apoptotic cells in a mouse model.These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 could hijack histones from neutrophil NETosis to promote its host cell attachment and entry process and may be important in exploring pathogenesis and possible strategies to develop new effective therapies for COVID-19.

Impaired autophagy activity-induced abnormal differentiation of bone marrow stem cells is related to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis osteopenia

Background:Osteopenia has been well documented in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).Bone marrow stem cells(BMSCs)are a crucial regulator of bone homeostasis.Our previous study revealed a decreased osteogenic ability of BMSCs in AIS-related osteopenia,but the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear.Methods:A total of 22 AIS patients and 18 age-matched controls were recruited for this study.Anthropometry and bone mass were measured in all participants.Bone marrow blood was collected for BMSC isolation and culture.Osteogenic and adipogenic induction were performed to observe the differences in the differentiation of BMSCs between the AIS-related osteopenia group and the control group.Furthermore,a total RNA was extracted from isolated BMSCs to perform RNA sequencing and subsequent analysis.Results:A lower osteogenic capacity and increased adipogenic capacity of BMSCs in AIS-related osteopenia were revealed.Differences in mRNA expression levels between the AIS-related osteopenia group and the control group were identified,including differences in the expression of LRRC17,DCLK1,PCDH7,TSPAN5,NHSL2,and CPT1B.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed several biological processes involved in the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy.The Western blotting results of autophagy markers in BMSCs suggested impaired autophagic activity in BMSCs in the AIS-related osteopenia group.Conclusion:Our study revealed that BMSCs from AIS-related osteopenia patients have lower autophagic activity,which may be related to the lower osteogenic capacity and higher adipogenic capacity of BMSCs and consequently lead to the lower bone mass in AIS patients.

Promotion effect of FGF23 on osteopenia in congenital scoliosis through FGFr3/TNAP/OPN pathway

Background:Congenital scoliosis(CS)is a complex spinal malformation of unknown etiology with abnormal bone metabolism.Fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23),secreted by osteoblasts and osteocytes,can inhibit bone formation and mineralization.This research aims to investigate the relationship between CS and FGF23.Methods:We collected peripheral blood from two pairs of identical twins for methylation sequencing of the target region.FGF23 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of CS patients and age-matched controls were measured.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of FGF23.The expression levels of FGF23 and its downstream factors fibroblast growth factor receptor 3(FGFr3)/tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase(TNAP)/osteopontin(OPN)in primary osteoblasts from CS patients(CS-Ob)and controls(CT-Ob)were detected.In addition,the osteogenic abilities of FGF23-knockdown or FGF23-overexpressing Ob were examined.Results:DNA methylation of the FGF23 gene in CS patients was decreased compared to that of their identical twins,accompanied by increased mRNA levels.CS patients had increased peripheral blood FGF23 mRNA levels and decreased computed tomography(CT)values compared with controls.The FGF23 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with the CT value of the spine,and ROCs of FGF23 mRNA levels showed high sensitivity and specificity for CS.Additionally,significantly increased levels of FGF23,FGFr3,OPN,impaired osteogenic mineralization and lower TNAP levels were observed in CS-Ob.Moreover,FGF23 overexpression in CT-Ob increased FGFr3 and OPN levels and decreased TNAP levels,while FGF23 knockdown induced downregulation of FGFr3 and OPN but upregulation of TNAP in CS-Ob.Mineralization of CS-Ob was rescued after FGF23 knockdown.Conclusions:Our results suggested increased peripheral blood FGF23 levels,decreased bone mineral density in CS patients,and a good predictive ability of CS by peripheral blood FGF23 levels.FGF23 may contribute to osteopenia in CS patients through FGFr3/TNAP/OPN pathway.

Spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron(B.1.1.529)variant has a reduced ability to induce the immune response

Dear Editor,The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)variant Omicron(B.1.1.529)has attracted great concerns since its identification in South Africa.Omicron is the fifth variant of concern(VOC)after Alpha(B.1.1.7),Beta(B.1.351),Gamma(P.1)and Delta(B.1.617.2),and set a record with the shortest duration from variants of interest(VOI)to VOC so far.Within 2 months after its first report,over 80%of global sequenced samples are verified as Omicron according to GISAID(https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/World/AllSamples/from=2021-12-15&to=2022-01-15/variants?pangoLineage=B.1.1.529*).