Electromagnetically induced transparency via localized surface plasmon mode-assisted hybrid cavity QED

In recent years, most studies have focused on the perfect absorption and high-efficiency quantum memory of the onesided system, ignoring the characteristics of its optical switching contrast. Thus, the performance of all-optical switching and optical transistors is limited. Herein, we propose a localized surface plasmon(LSP) mode-assisted cavity QED system which consists of a Λ-shaped three-level quantum emitter(QE), a metal nanoparticle and a one-sided optical cavity with a fully reflected mirror. In this system, the QE coherently couples to the cavity and LSP mode respectively, which is manipulated by the control field. As a result, considerably high and stable switch contrast of 90% can be achievable due to the strong confined field of the LSP mode and perfect absorption of the optical medium. In addition, we obtain a power dependent effect between the control field and the transmitted frequency as a result of the converted dark state. We employ the Heisenberg–Langevin equation and numerical master equation formalisms to explain high switching, controllable output light and the dark state. Our system introduces an effective method to improve the performance of optical switches based on the one-sided system in quantum information storage and quantum communication.

Corrigendum to“Electromagnetically induced transparency via localized surface plasmon mode-assisted hybrid cavity QED”

We would like to point out the misprinted Fig.3 in our published paper[Chin.Phys.B 32,114205(2023)].Since only orders of subfigures need to be corrected and the main results of the published paper are correct,we present the correct figure in this corrigendum.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Visceral Pain and Reverses Upregulation of TRPV1 Expression in Adult Rats with Neonatal Maternal Deprivation

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by chronic visceral hypersensitivity that companied by altered bowel movement. However, the treatment options are very limited. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model of IBS and to explore the underlying mechanisms of EA effects. Visceral hypersensitivity was established by neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) in male rats on postnatal days 2 - 15. Behavioral experiments were conducted at the age of 7 weeks. Treatment with EA at Zusanli (stomach-36, ST-36) significantly reduced abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores in NMD rats but not in age-matched healthy control rats. In addition, EA treatment hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials, increased the rheobase and reduced the numbers of action potentials evoked by 2 and 3 times rheobase current stimulation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the colon. NMD markedly enhanced expression of TRPV1 in colon related DRGs while EA treatment drastically suppressed the expression of TRPV1 in DRGs of NMD rats. These data suggest that EA treatment produced an analgesic effect, which might be mediated at least in a part by suppression of TRPV1 expression and by inhibition of neuronal excitability of primary sensory neurons in rats with chronic visceral pain.

Aqueous-phase catalytic hydrogenation of furfural to cyclopentanol over Cu-Mg-Al hydrotalcites derived catalysts:Model reaction for upgrading of bio-oil

A series of Cu-Mg-Al hydrotalcites derived oxides with a(Cu+Mg)/Al mole ratio of 3 and varied Cu/Mg mole ratio(from 0.07 to 0.30) were prepared by co-precipitation and calcination methods, then they were introduced to the hydrogenation of furfural in aqueous-phase. Effects of Cu/Mg mole ratio, reaction temperature, initial hydrogen pressure, reaction time and catalyst amount on the conversion rate of furfural as well as the selectivity toward desired product cyclopentanol were systematically investigated. The conversion of furfural over calcined hydrotalcite catalyst with a Cu/Mg mole ratio of 0.2 was up to 98.5% when the reaction was carried out under 140 ?C and the initial hydrogen pressure of 4 MPa for 10 h, while the selectivity toward cyclopentanol was up to 94.8%. The catalysts were characterized by XRD and SEM. XRD diffraction of all the samples showed characteristic pattern of hydrotalcite with varied peak intensity as a result of different Cu content. The catalytic activity was improved gradually with the increase of Cu component in the hydrotalcite.

Isolation and Characterization of a Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase Gene(CCR) in Pear(Pyrus pyrifolia)

Pear is a popular and commercially important fresh fruit, and its texture is related to the presence of sclereid formatted by parenchyma cell with lignification in vascular plants. Previous studies have demonstrated that content of lignin may be regulated by cinnamoyl CoA reductase(CCR) in various plants. However, the function of CCR in pears remains very limited. In the present study, we isolated a cDNA encoding CCR(PpCCR, GenBank accession No. KF999958) and its promoter(proPpCCR) from Whangkeumbae pear to investigate the function of CCR in lignin biosynthesis. PpCCR-GFP expressed in rice mesophyll protoplast demonstrated that PpCCR-GFP was localized in the cytoplasm, indicating that CCR may function in cytoplasm without localization signals. In transgenic plants carrying PpCCR, we observed higher lignin content compared with that in wild type plants, further suggesting that PpCCR can affect the lignin contents through regulating lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. More studies in other plants are needed to confirm our conclusion.

On the Protective Effects of Aplysin on Ethanol-induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Primary Hepatocytes

[Objective] To investigate the protective effects of Aplysin on ethanol-induced oxidative damage in rat primary hepatocytes.[Methods]Rat primary hepatocytes were obtained via the portal vein collagenase IV in situ perfusion technique followed by a Percoll density gradient centrifuge; MTT test was used to determine the optimum dose of Aplysin and ethanol,and detect the cell vitality in primary hepatocytes; supernatants of primary hepatocytes were harvested to measure AST and LDH level,and the SOD,GSH-PX activities and MDA content in primary hepatocytes were observed; flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate; DNA damage in primary hepatocytes were detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis assay; The level of mitochondrial membrane potential in primary hepatocytes was tested by fluorogenic probe JC-1; the CYP2E1 activity in primary hepatocytes were detected by colorimetry; the proteins of CYP2E1 were detected by Western blotting. [Results]300 mmol/L dose of ethanol and 30 mg/L dose of Aplysin were the optimal dosages and were used in the subsequent experiments. Hepatocyte vitality was significantly increased in the Aplysin group relative to that in the ethanol group,and Aplysin inhibited the release of AST and LDH( P < 0. 05). For the Aplysin treatment group,the activities of hepatocyte SOD and GSH were significantly increased and MDA was markedly lowered as compared with those in the ethanol group( P < 0. 05). And Aplysin can alleviate hepatocyte apoptosis significantly,and hepatocyte DNA damage rate of II-III level and IV level were significantly lowered in the Aplysin treatment group as compared with those in the ethanol group,and Aplysin has evidently improved on alcohol induced mitochondria damage of hepatocyte. Primary hepatocytes activities and protein expression of CYP2E1 were markedly lowered in the Aplysin treatment group as compared with those in the ethanol group( P < 0. 05). [Conclusion] Aplysin has protective effects on liver oxidative damage induced by alcohol of primary cultured rat hepatocytes by blocking CYP2E1 activation,relieving oxidative stress,and sharpening the oxidation resistance ability.

A tumor cell membrane-coated self-amplified nanosystem as a nanovaccine to boost the therapeutic effect of anti-PD-L1 antibody

To improve the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-L1 antibody in immunosup-pressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),induction of immunogenic cell death(ICD)at tumor sites can increase the antigenicity and adjuvanticity to activate the immune microenvironment so that tumors become sensitive to the intervention of immune checkpoint inhibitors.Herein,a self-amplified biomimetic nanosystem,mEHGZ,was constructed by encapsulation of epirubicin(EPI),glucose oxidase(Gox)and hemin in ZIF-8 nanoparticles and coating of the nanoparticles with calreticulin(CRT)over-expressed tumor cell mem-brane.EPI acts as an ICD inducer,Gox and hemin medicate the cascade generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)to strengthen the ICD effect,and CRT-rich membrane as“eat me”signal promote presentation of the released antigens by dendritic cells(DCs)to invoke the tumor-immunity cycle.The biomimetic delivery system displays an amplified ICD effect via Gox oxidation,hydroxyl radical generation and glutathione(GSH)depletion.The induced potent ICD effect promotes DCs maturation and cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs)infiltration,reversing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to an immunoresponsive one.Treatment with the nanosystem in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibody results in distinctive inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis,supporting that a potent ICD effect can significantly boost the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-PD-L1 antibody.This self-amplified biomimetic nanoplatform offers a promising means of raising the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Corrigendum to “A tumor cell membrane-coated self-amplified nanosystem as a nanovaccine to boost the therapeutic effect of anti-PD-L1 antibody” [Bioact. Mater. 21 299-312]

The authors regret the incorrect publication of corresponding authors for the article.The corresponding authors have been updated as Hongyan Zhu(hyzhu_hmrrc@126.com)and Kui Luo(luokui@scu.edu.cn),and the same should be updated in the supplementary file as well.

Study on the Application Effect of Flexible Nursing Care in Patients with Postpartum Urinary Retention and its Effect on Lactation

Objective: To study the application effect of flexible nursing in patients with postpartum urinary retention and its effect on lactation. Methods: A total of 200 cases of postpartum urinary retention patients admitted between January 2021 and January 2022 were selected and randomly grouped into two groups, a control group (conventional nursing) and an observation group (flexible nursing), of 100 cases each. The time of onset of lactation, the lactation volume score, urinary indicators, the amount of post-partum hemorrhage, and the quality of life score of the two groups were compared. Results: The observation group’s lactation initiation time (21.41 ± 1.52) h and lactation volume score (2.11 ± 0.52) were better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group’s first urination time (2.11 ± 0.51) min was lower than the control group, while the urinary retention completely relieved time (33.12 ± 8.61) h, and first urinary volume (262.17 ± 52.41) mL was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The amount of postpartum hemorrhage in the observation group (151.21 ± 22.12) mL was less than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of somatic functioning (86.25 ± 2.20), psychological functioning (91.56 ± 1.45), social functioning (89.25 ± 2.45), and material life (89.75 ± 1.45) of the observation group were higher than those of the control group after nursing (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Flexible nursing care in patients with postpartum urinary retention exhibited significant nursing effects and lactation function was effectively improved.

Influence of Voids on the Tensile Performance of Carbon/epoxy Fabric Laminates

This paper aims at investigating the effect of voids on the tensile properties of [（±45）4/（0,90）/（±45）2] S and [（±45）/0 4/（±45）（0,90）] S composites.Specimens with void contents in the range of 0.4% to 9.0% were fabricated from carbon/epoxy fabric.The void content was determined by ultrasonic attenuation and optical image analysis,and microscopic inspection was also used to analyze the shape and size of the voids.The influence of voids on the tensile strength and modulus of both stacking sequence is compared in terms of the size and the shape of the voids.The effect of voids on the initiation and propagation of tensile failure of both stacking sequence composite was investigated.

Cathepsin B-responsive and gadolinium-labeled branched glycopolymer-PTX conjugate-derived nanotheranostics for cancer treatment

Multi-modal therapeutics are emerging for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of cancer.Polymeric carriers are often employed for loading multiple drugs due to their versatility and controlled release of these drugs in response to a tumor specific microenvironment.A theranostic nanomedicine was designed and prepared by complexing a small gadolinium chelate,conjugating a chemotherapeutic drug PTX through a cathepsin B-responsive linker and covalently bonding a fluorescent probe pheophorbide a(Ppa)with a branched glycopolymer.The branched prodrug-based nanosystem was degradable in the tumor microenvironment with overexpressed cathepsin B,and PTX was simultaneously released to exert its therapeutic effect.The theranostic nanomedicine,branched glycopolymer-PTX-DOTA-Gd,had an extended circulation time,enhanced accumulation in tumors,and excellent biocompatibility with significantly reduced gadolinium ion(Gd3+)retention after 96 h post-injection.Enhanced imaging contrast up to 24 h post-injection and excellent antitumor efficacy with a tumor inhibition rate more than 90%were achieved from glycopolymer-PTX-DOTA-Gd without obvious systematic toxicity.This branched polymeric prodrug-based nanomedicine is very promising for safe and effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Identification of natural compounds targeting Annexin A2 with an anti-cancer effect

Annexin A2, a multifunctional tumor associated protein, promotes nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） activation by interacting with NF-κB p50 subunit and facilitating its nuclear translocation. Here we demonstrated that two ginsenosides Rg5 （G-Rg5） and Rkl （G-Rkl）, with similar structure, directly bound to Annexin A2 by molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay. Both Rg5 and Rkl inhibited the interaction between Annexin A2 and NF-κB p50 subunit, their translocation to nuclear and NF-κB activation. Inhibition of NF-κB by these two gin- senosides decreased the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins （lAPs）, leading to caspase activation and apoptosis. Over expression of K302A Annexin A2, a mutant version of Annexin A2, which fails to interact with G-Rg5 and G-Rkl, effectively reduced the NF-κB inhibitory effect and apoptosis induced by G-Rg5 and G-Rkl. In addition, the knockdown of Annexin A2 largely enhanced NF-κB activation and apoptosis induced by the two molecules, indicating that the effects of G-Rg5 and G-Rkl on NF-κB were mainly mediated by Annexin A2. Taken together, this study for the first time demon- strated that G-Rg5 and G-Rkl inhibit tumor cell growth by targeting Annexin A2 and NF-κB pathway, and G-Rg5 and G-Rkl might be promising natural compounds for targeted cancer therapy.

Retro-enantio isomer of angiopep-2 assists nanoprobes across the blood-brain barrier for targeted magnetic resonance/fluorescence imaging of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma(GBM),one of the most common primary intracranial malignant tumours,is very difficult to be completely excised by surgery due to its irregular shape.Here,we use an MRI/NIR fluorescence dual-modal imaging nanoprobe that includes superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(SPIONs)modified with indocyanine(Cy7)molecules and peptides(ANG orDANG)to locate malignant gliomas and guide accurate excision.Both peptides/Cy7-SPIONs probes displayed excellent tumour-homing properties and barrier penetrating abilities in vitro.

Application of the rotating-convection paradigm for tropical cyclones to interpreting medicanes:An example

The rotating-convection paradigm for tropical cyclone behaviour is shown to provide an attractive and consistent framework for interpreting the dynamics of formation and intensification of at least some medicanes.The ideas are illustrated by a case study of the medicane that formed over the eastern Mediterranean in mid-December 2020.This case study is based on analyses of data from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF),imagery from the European geostationary meteorological satellite,Meteosat Second Generation,and output from a convection permitting numerical simulation of the event using the United Kingdom(UK)Met Office regional model with the RAL2 physics configuration.Limitations of the currently widely accepted interpretation of medicanes in terms of the so-called Wind-Induced Surface Heat Exchange(WISHE)intensification mechanism are discussed.

Epigenetic Regulation of a Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene in Medicago truncatula

Dear Editor, Medicago truncatula is a model legume that is conge- neric with alfalfa （Medicago sativa）, a forage crop of global importance. Over the last decade, tremendous genetic and genomic tools have been developed for this model system, which has greatly facilitated the study of various aspects of legume genomics and biology. From an applied perspective, genomic information gained from M. truncatula is particu- larly useful for genetic improvement of cultivated alfalfa, a crop that is not amenable to genetic analysis because of its allogamous and autotetraploid nature （Yang et al., 2008）. For instance, M. truncatula can be used to clone the orthologs of many economically important genes in alfalfa,

Mid1ip1b modulates apical reorientation of non-centrosomal microtubule organizing center in epithelial cells

In most kinds of animal cells, the centrosome serves as the main microtubule organizing center （MTOC） that nucleates microtubule arrays throughout the cytoplasm to maintain cell structure, cell division and intracellular transport. Whereas in epithelial cells, non-centrosomal MTOCs are established in the apical domain for generating asymmetric microtubule fibers and cilia in epithelial cells for the organ morphogenesis during embryonic development. However, the mechanism by which MTOCs localize to the apical domain in epithelial cells remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Mid liplb has a close interaction with γ-tubulin protein, the central component of MTOC, and modulates lumen opening of the neural tube, gut, intestine, and kidney of zebrafish. Knockdown or dominant negative effect of Mid 1ip 1 b resulted in failure of lumen formation of the organs as aforementioned. Moreover, the non-centrosomal MTOCs were unable to orientate to the apical domain in Midliplb knockdown epithelial cells, and the centrosomal MTOCs were inaccurately placed in the apical domain, resulting in defective formation of asymmetric microtubules and misplacement of cilia in the apical domain. These data uncover a molecule that controls the proper localization of MTOCs in the apical domain in epithelial cells for organ morphogenesis during embryonic development.

DOWNSTREAM DEVELOPMENT DURING THE EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES:OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE AND INFLUENCE ON STORM STRUCTURE

Observational evidence is presented that during Extratropical Transition(ET) of Tropical Cyclones(TCs),Downstream Development(DD) is frequently underway.We show that DD results in rapid changes to the environment.A critical flow change is the development of a low-level trough,sandwiched between two developing anticyclones.The trough appears to merge with the storm,seemingly holding it upright and allowing it to withstand the damaging effects of wind shear.In this way the storm can eventually reach the favourable equatorward entrance region of the upper jet.To evaluate the mechanism,two sets of simulations have been run:one using high-resolution,full physics integrations and another using coarse-resolution with dry physics and the TC removed from the initial condition.We show that the dry dynamics can establish the large scale environment to enable the transition to proceed.The process can produce:(a) the deep,vertically-aligned,low-level pressure trough that merges with the storm,and(b) a partial inhibition through subsidence to embedded convection,allowing the boundary layer to moisten via(i) sustained surface fluxes,and(ii) enhanced horizontal moisture flux convergence from the environmental flow changes.This produces potential for more intense convective activity and vortex resiliency even in relatively strong,deep vertical wind shear.