PLAGL1 Is Identified as a Potential Diagnostic Marker for Co-Occurrence with Osteoporosis and Multiple Myeloma

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a common clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this study was to investigate the possible molecular pathways and shared genes in the co-occurrence of OP and MM. Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to retrieve gene expression information. Use WGCNA and differential analysis to screen out Hub genes. The GENEMANIA was used to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Enrichment analyses were performed to explore the functions. Validation datasets were selected to verify the diagnostic marker reliability of PLAGL1. The immune microenvironment of diseases was analyzed by immune infiltration analyses. Results: We confirmed a hub gene called PLAGL1, which is significantly under-expressed in both OP and MM. We found hub genes were associated with glucose and energy metabolism. Subsequently, the reliability of PLAGL1 for diagnosing OP and MM was verified using ROC curves, with all areas under the curve > 0.75. Moreover, PLAGL1 regulates t lymphocytes and may participate in the occurrence of OP in MM through immune pathways. Conclusions: PLAGL1 is a hub gene for the co-occurrence of OP and MM. It can regulate T-lymphocyte involvement in disease development. PLAGL1 may be a novel diagnostic marker for the co-occurrence of OP and MM.

Constructing a high-density linkage map for Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense and identifying QTLs for lint percentage

To introgress the good fiber quality and yield from Gossypium barbadense into a commercial Upland cotton variety, a high‐density simple sequence repeat （SSR） genetic linkage map was developed from a BC1F1 population of Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense. The map com-prised 2,292 loci and covered 5115.16 centiMorgan （cM） of the cotton AD genome, with an average marker interval of 2.23 cM. Of the marker order for 1,577 common loci on this new map, 90.36% agrees well with the marker order on the D genome sequence genetic map. Compared with five pub-lished high‐density SSR genetic maps, 53.14% of marker loci were newly discovered in this map. Twenty‐six quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for lint percentage （LP） were identified on nine chromosomes. Nine stable or common QTLs could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Fifty percent of the QTLs were from G. barbadense and increased LP by 1.07%–2.41%. These results indicated that the map could be used for screening chromosome substitution segments from G. barbadense in the Upland cotton background, identifying QTLs or genes from G. barbadense, and further developing the gene pyramiding effect for improving fiber yield and quality.

A facile fabrication route for binary transition metal oxide-based Janus nanoparticles for cancer theranostic applications

Janus nanoparticles （JNPs） have multiple configurations for molecular imaging, targeting, and therapeutic effects on cancers; these properties have made these particles attractive for biomedical applications. Nonetheless, smart strategies for the controlled synthesis in a liquid phase and exploration of the appropriate applications of JNPs remain a challenge. In this study, a unique liquid-phase method was applied to fabricate Mn3O4-TiO2/ZnO/Fe3O4 multifunctional binary transition metal oxide-based JNPs, using the concept of epitaxial growth and lattice mismatch among synthesized materials. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the created materials are embedded in the form of dimers with good dispersion and homogeneous growth in a nonpolar solvent. Pluronic F-127-coated MnBO4- TiO2 JNPs were utilized as a contrast agent in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and in photodynamic therapy （PDT） for cancers in vitro and in vivo. In vivo T1-weighted MRI of the heart, liver, and kidneys in mice after intravenous injection of the nanoparticles revealed high sensitivity and biocompatibility of as-synthesized Mn3O4--TiO2 JNPs. Results of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy mapping showed the stability of the nanocomposites and efficiency of penetration into the cytoplasm and perinuclear area. Inorganic TiO2 photosensitizers showed promising tumor ablation performance in PDT in vitro and in vivo at low intensity of UV irradiation （5.6 mW.cm-2） because of their ultrasmall size and photodegradable stability. These results reveal that multifunctional Mn3O4-TiO2 JNPs enhance a T1-weighted MRI contrast and have excellent properties for PDT and therefore, may be a novel agent for cancer theranostics.

Observation of a bi-critical point between antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases in pressurized single crystal Ca0.73La0.27FeAs2

One of the most strikingly universal features of the high-temperature superconductors is that the superconducting phase emerges in the close proximity of the antiferromagnetic phase, and the interplay between these two phases poses a long-standing challenge. It is commonly believed that, as the antiferromagnetic transition temperature is continuously suppressed to zero, there appears a quantum critical point, around which the existence of antiferromagnetic fluctuation is responsible for the development of the superconductivity. In contrast to this scenario, we report the observation of a bi-critical point identified at 2.88 GPa and 26.02 K in the pressurized high-quality single crystal Ca_(0.73)La_(0.27)FeAs_2 by complementary in-situ high pressure measurements. At the critical pressure, we find that the antiferromagnetism suddenly disappears and superconductivity simultaneously emerges at almost the same temperature, and that the external magnetic field suppresses the superconducting transition temperature but hardly affects the antiferromagnetic transition temperature.

Temporal variation of PM_(2.5)-associated health effects in Shijiazhuang,Hebei

Shijiazhuang is one of the cities in the North China Plain.In recent decades,this city has experienced high levels of fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5)),which have potentially significant effects on human health.In this study,the health effects of PM_(2.5)exposure in Shijiazhuang were estimated by applying an integrated exposure-response model.Premature mortality,years of life lost(YLL),and the mortality benefits linked to reduced levels of PM_(2.5)were quantified for the period 2015–2017.In 2015,2016,and 2017,cerebrovascular diseases caused the highest premature mortality(2432,2449,and 2483,respectively),followed by ischemic heart diseases(1391,1479,and 1493,respectively),lung cancer(639,660,and 639,respectively),and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(533,519,and 473,respectively).Notably,the total number of premature deaths caused by PM_(2.5)exposure in Shijiazhuang in 2015,2016,and 2017 were 4994,5107,and 5088,respectively.Moreover,the YLL in the same years were 47001,47880 and 47381,respectively.Interestingly,the YLL per 1000 females was lower than that per 1000 males.Finally,we noted that premature mortality and YLL decreased by 84.2%and 84.6%when the PM_(2.5)levels diminished to 10µg/m^(3).Overall,the results of this study improve our understanding of how high PM_(2.5)concentrations affect human health and suggest the application of more stringent measures in Shijiazhuang to alleviate the associated health risks.

Quantum phase transition and destruction of Kondo effect in pressurized SmB6

SmB_6 has been a well-known Kondo insulator for decades, but recently attracts extensive new attention as a candidate topological system. Studying SmB_6 under pressure provides an opportunity to acquire the much-needed understanding about the effect of electron correlations on both the metallic surface state and bulk insulating state. Here we do so by studying the evolution of two transport gaps(low temperature gap E_l and high temperature gap E_h) associated with the Kondo effect by measuring the electrical resistivity under high pressure and low temperature(0.3 K) conditions. We associate the gaps with the bulk Kondo hybridization, and from their evolution with pressure we demonstrate an insulator-tometal transition at ~4 GPa. At the transition pressure, a large change in the Hall number and a divergence tendency of the electron-electron scattering coefficient provide evidence for a destruction of the Kondo entanglement in the ground state. Our results raise the new prospect for studying topological electronic states in quantum critical materials settings.