C-Type Antiferromagnetic Structure of Topological Semimetal CaMnSb_(2)

Determination of the magnetic structure and confirmation of the presence or absence of inversion(P)and time reversal(Τ)symmetry is imperative for correctly understanding the topological magnetic materials.Here highquality single crystals of the layered manganese pnictide CaMnSb_(2)are synthesized using the self-flux method.

Rapid Isolation and Multiplexed Detection of Exosome Tumor Markers Via Queued Beads Combined with Quantum Dots in a Microarray

Tumor-derived exosomes are actively involved in cancer progression and metastasis and have emerged as a promising marker for cancer diagnosis in liquid biopsy.Because of their nanoscale size,complex biogenesis,and methodological limitations related to exosome isolation and detection,advancements in their analysis remain slow.Microfluidic technology offers a better analytic approach compared with conventional methods.Here,we developed a bead-based microarray for exosome isolation and multiplexed tumor marker detection.Using this method,exosomes are isolated by binding to antibodies on the bead surface,and tumor markers on the exosomes are detected through quantum dot(QD)probes.The beads are then uniformly trapped and queued among micropillars in the chip.This design benefits fluorescence observation by dispersing the signals into every single bead,thereby avoiding optical interference and enabling more accurate test results.We analyzed exosomes in the cell culture supernatant of lung cancer and endothelial cell lines,and different lung cancer markers labeled with three QD probes were used to conduct multiplexed detection of exosome surface protein markers.Lung cancer-derived samples showed much higher(~sixfold-tenfold)fluorescence intensity than endothelial cell samples,and different types of lung cancer samples showed distinctive marker expression levels.Additionally,using the chip to detect clinical plasma samples from cancer patients showed good diagnostic power and revealed a well consistency with conventional tests for serological markers.These results provide insight into a promising method for exosome tumor marker detection and early-stage cancer diagnosis.

Formation Energies of the Lithium Intercalations in MoS_2

First-principles calculations have been performed to study the lithium intercalations in MoS2. The formation energies, changes of volumes, electronic structures and charge densities of the lithium intercalations in MoS2 are presented. Our calculations show that during lithium intercalations in MoS2, the lithium intercalation formation energies per lithium atom are between 2.5 eV to 3.0 eV. The volume expansions of MoS2 due to lithium intercalations are relatively small

Characteristics of MBR Oily Sludge and Its Influence on Membrane Fouling under Two Aeration Modes

A membrane bioreactor(MBR)with ordinary aeration(reactor R1)and a MBR with microporous aeration(reactor R2)are conducted in parallel to investigate the characteristics of oily sludge and its effect on membrane fouling.The results indicate that the order of membrane fouling rate from high to low is:reactor R1 dissolved oxygen(DO)(1 mg/L)>reactor R2 DO(1 mg/L)>reactor R1 DO(4 mg/L)>reactor R2 DO(4 mg/L).Membrane fouling rate is not related to oily sludge concentration but to oily sludge sedimentation performance and the small particle oily sludge is the key factor to affect the membrane fouling.The soluble microbial products(SMP)are examined by three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix(3DEEM)fluorescence spectra.3DEEM spectra demonstrate that the main organic substances of the SMP in two reactors are tyrosine aromatic protein,fulvic acid-like substances and soluble microbial products under DO are1 mg/L and 4 mg/L,respectively.The proportion sum of fulvic acid-like substances and soluble microbial products is the key factor affecting membrane fouling,and membrane fouling accelerates as the ratio increases.

Multi-rater Prism:Learning self-calibrated medical image segmentation from multiple raters

In medical image segmentation,it is often necessary to collect opinions from multiple experts to make the final decision.This clinical routine helps to mitigate individual bias.However,when data is annotated by multiple experts,standard deep learning models are often not applicable.In this paper,we propose a novel neural network framework called Multi-rater Prism(MrPrism)to learn medical image segmentation from multiple labels.Inspired by iterative half-quadratic optimization,MrPrism combines the task of assigning multi-rater confidences and calibrated segmentation in a recurrent manner.During this process,MrPrism learns inter-observer variability while taking into account the image's semantic properties and finally converges to a self-calibrated segmentation result reflecting inter-observer agreement.Specifically,we propose Converging Prism(ConP)and Diverging Prism(DivP)to iteratively process the two tasks.ConP learns calibrated segmentation based on multi-rater confidence maps estimated by DivP,and DivP generates multi-rater confidence maps based on segmentation masks estimated by ConP.Experimental results show that the two tasks can mutually improve each other through this recurrent process.The final converged segmentation result of MrPrism outperforms state-of-the-art(SOTA)methods for a wide range of medical image segmentation tasks.The code is available at https://github.-com/WuJunde/MrPrism.

青藏高原高寒草地地下生物多样性:进展、问题与展望

栖息于土壤中的微生物和微型动物种类繁多、数量巨大,在对地上生物多样性的调控和在生态系统功能与服务的维系中,具有举足轻重的作用。虽然对土壤微生物以及土壤动物已经开展了广泛的调查,但是整体上对于地下生物多样性的分布格局、驱动机制及其对全球变化的响应与适应过程,仍缺乏深刻的认识。青藏高原是全球变化的敏感区域,其中高寒草地是高原最主要的植被类型,占高原面积的60%左右,在高寒生态系统生物多样性维持中具有重要意义。近年来,已有大量研究关注于高寒草地地下生物多样性,但是缺乏系统的总结与论述。基于此,本文从细菌、真菌、古菌、线虫、节肢动物五大土壤生物类群出发,阐述了青藏高原高寒草地的地下物种丰富度、分布格局及其影响因素,重点探讨了它们对气候变化和人类活动的响应,并就未来高寒草地地下生物多样性亟需关注的关键问题进行了展望,包括:(1)地下各个生物类群的分布格局、各类群之间的联系及驱动机制;(2)地上与地下生物多样性耦联的机制;(3)地下生物多样性对生态系统功能和健康的影响;(4)地下生物多样性的调控实验研究。

气候变化与生物多样性之间的复杂关系和反馈机制

气候变化与生物多样性丧失是人类社会正在经历的两大变化。气候变化影响生物多样性的方方面面,是导致生物多样性丧失的一个主要驱动因子;反过来,生物多样性丧失会加剧气候变化。因此,阻止甚至扭转气候变化和生物多样性丧失是当前人类社会亟需解决的全球性问题,但我们对气候变化与生物多样性之间的复杂关系和反馈机制尚缺乏清晰认识。本文总结了近年气候变化与生物多样性变化的研究进展,重点概述了不同组织层次、空间尺度和维度的生物多样性对气候变化的响应和反馈等相关领域的研究进展和存在的主要问题。结果发现多数研究关注气候变化对生物多样性的直接影响,涉及到生物多样性的不同组织层次、维度和营养级,但针对气候变化间接影响的研究仍然较少,机理研究同样需要加强;生物多样性对生态系统功能影响的环境依赖和尺度推演、生物多样性对生态系统多功能性的作用机理和量化方法是当前研究面临的挑战;生物多样性对生态系统响应气候变化的作用机制尚无统一的认识;生物多样性对气候变化的正、负反馈效应是国内外研究的盲点。最后,本文展望了未来发展方向和需要解决的关键科学问题,包括多因子气候变化对生物多样性的影响;减缓和适应气候变化的措施如何惠益于生物多样性保护;生物多样性与生态系统功能的理论如何应用到现实世界;生物多样性保护对实现碳中和目标的贡献。

Ablation of gut microbiota alleviates obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance by modulating bile acid metabolism in hamsters

Since metabolic process differs between humans and mice, studies were performed in hamsters, which are generally considered to be a more appropriate animal model for studies of obesityrelated metabolic disorders. The modulation of gut microbiota, bile acids and the farnesoid X receptor(FXR) axis is correlated with obesity-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice. However,the interactions among the gut microbiota, bile acids and FXR in metabolic disorders remained largely unexplored in hamsters. In the current study, hamsters fed a 60% high-fat diet(HFD) were administeredvehicle or an antibiotic cocktail by gavage twice a week for four weeks. Antibiotic treatment alleviated HFD-induced glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis and inflammation accompanied with decreased hepatic lipogenesis and elevated thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue(sWAT). In the livers of antibiotic-treated hamsters, cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1(CYP7 B1) in the alternative bile acid synthesis pathway was upregulated, contributing to a more hydrophilic bile acid profile with increased tauro-β-muricholic acid(TβMCA). The intestinal FXR signaling was suppressed but remained unchanged in the liver. This study is of potential translational significance in determining the role of gut microbiota-mediated bile acid metabolism in modulating diet-induced glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis in the hamster.

Disruption of adipocyte HIF-1α improves atherosclerosis through the inhibition of ceramide generation

Atherosclerosis is a chronic multifactorial cardiovascular disease.Western diets have been reported to affect atherosclerosis through regulating adipose function.In high cholesterol diet-fed ApoE^(−/−)mice,adipocyte HIF-1αdeficiency or direct inhibition of HIF-1αby the selective pharmacological HIF-1αinhibitor PX-478 alleviates high cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerosis by reducing adipose ceramide generation,which lowers cholesterol levels and reduces inflammatory responses,resulting in improved dyslipidemia and atherogenesis.Smpd3,the gene encoding neutral sphingomyelinase,is identified as a new target gene directly regulated by HIF-1αthat is involved in ceramide generation.Injection of lentivirus-SMPD3 in epididymal adipose tissue reverses the decrease in ceramides in adipocytes and eliminates the improvements on atherosclerosis in the adipocyte HIF-1α-deficient mice.Therefore,HIF-1αinhibition may constitute a novel approach to slow atherosclerotic progression.

Metabolic disorder in the progression of heart failure

Heart failure(HF) is a major clinical concern owing to its high prevalence and high mortality.Metabolomics,an effective approach to predict diagnostic biomarkers and to explore the altered metabolic pathways in pathogenesis,has been extensively applied in evaluating the course of diseases.In this study,we used this approach to analyse the abundance of metabolites,with liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer,in plasma samples from rats with transverse aortic constriction(TAC) and patients at different stages of HF.We compared the metabolic parameters within and between TAC rats and patients.An apparent metabolic shift was observed in rats,from compensated hypertrophy stage to decompensated hypertrophy stage,and in patients with HF,from stage A to stage B and subsequently stage C.Diagnostic biomarkers were predicted by comparing the variable importance in the projection scores and fold change analysis within and between rats and patients.Enrichment pathway analysis and network analysis provided an overview of the largely disturbed metabolic pathways,and those interfered at different stages and across species were confirmed.The significantly changed metabolites and pathways revealed the underlying mechanisms of HF pathogenesis,hinted at novel potential biomarkers,and provided potential therapeutic intervention targets for HF.

Drug-nanoencapsulated PLGA microspheres prepared by emulsion electrospray with controlled release behavior

The development of modern therapeutics has raised the requirement for controlled drug delivery system which is able to efficiently encapsulate bioactive agents and achieve their release at a desired rate satisfying the need of the practical system.In this study,two kind of aqueous model drugs with different molecule weight,Congo red and albumin from bovine serum(BSA)were nanoencapsulated in poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)microspheres by emulsion electrospray.In the preparation process,the aqueous phase of drugs was added into the PLGA chloroform solution to form the emulsion solution.The emulsion was then electrosprayed to fabricate drugnanoencapsulated PLGA microspheres.The morphology of the PLGA microspheres was affected by the volume ratio of aqueous drug phase and organic PLGA phase(V_(w)/V_(o))and the molecule weight of model drugs.Confocal laser scanning microcopy showed the nanodroplets of drug phase were scattered in the PLGA microspheres homogenously with different distribution patterns related to V_(w)/V_(o).With the increase of the volume ratio of aqueous drug phase,the number of nanodroplets increased forming continuous phase gradually that could accelerate drug release rate.Moreover,BSA showed a slower release rate from PLGA microspheres comparing to Congo red,which indicated the drug release rate could be affected by not only V_(w)/V_(o)but also the molecule weight of model drug.In brief,the PLGA microspheres prepared using emulsion electrospray provided an efficient and simple systemto achieve controlled drug release at a desired rate satisfying the need of the practices.

Hierarchically electrospraying a PLGA@chitosan sphere-in-sphere composite microsphere for multi-drug-controlled release

Sequential administration and controlled release of different drugs are of vital importance for regulating cellular behaviors and tissue regeneration,which usually demands appropriate carriers like microspheres(MS)to control drugs releases.Electrospray has been proven an effective technique to prepare MS with uniform particle size and high drug-loading rate.In this study,we applied electrospray to simply and hierarchically fabricate sphere-in-sphere composite microspheres,with smaller poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)MS(~8-10 lm in diameter)embedded in a larger chitosan MS(~250-300 lm in diameter).The scanning electron microscopy images revealed highly uniform MS that can be accurately controlled by adjusting the nozzle diameter or voltage.Two kinds of model drugs,bovine serum albumin and chlorhexidine acetate,were encapsulated in the microspheres.The fluorescence-labeled rhodamine-fluoresceine isothiocyanate(Rho-FITC)and ultraviolet(UV)spectrophotometry results suggested that loaded drugs got excellent distribution in microspheres,as well as sustained,slow release in vitro.In addition,far-UV circular dichroism and matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS)results indicated original secondary structure and molecular weight of drugs after electrospraying.Generally speaking,our research proposed a modified hierarchically electrospraying technique to prepare sphere-in-sphere composite MS with two different drugs loaded,which could be applied in sequential,multi-modality therapy.

Development of an antimicrobial peptide-loaded mineralized collagen bone scaffold for infective bone defect repair

The repair of infective bone defects is a great challenge in clinical work.It is of vital importance to develop a kind of bone scaffold with good osteogenic properties and long-term antibacterial activity for local anti-infection and bone regeneration.A porous mineralized collagen(MC)scaffold containing poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)microspheres loaded with two antibacterial synthetic peptides,Pac-525 or KSL-W was developed and characterized via scanning electron microscopy(SEM),porosity measurement,swelling and mechanical tests.The results showed that the MC scaffold embedded with smooth and compact PLGA microspheres had a positive effect on cell growth and also had antibacterial properties.Through toxicity analysis,cell morphology and proliferation analysis and alkaline phosphatase evaluation,the antibacterial scaffolds showed excellent biocompatibility and osteogenic activity.The antibacterial property evaluated with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli suggested that the sustained release of Pac-525 or KSL-W from the scaffolds could inhibit the bacterial growth aforementioned in the long term.Our results suggest that the antimicrobial peptides-loaded MC bone scaffold has good antibacterial and osteogenic activities,thus providing a great promise for the treatment of infective bone defects.

A genome-wide association study of five meat quality traits in Yorkshire pigs

Meat quality is an important trait in the pig industry.To identify genomic regions and haplotype blocks responsible for meat quality traits in pigs,a genome-wide association study was conducted for five traits including intramuscular fat content,pH at 45 min and 24 h,drip loss within 24 h and water-holding capacity in 231 Yorkshire barrows using illumina porcine 60k SNP chips.The results showed that a total of 344 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)were significantly associated with five meat quality traits(P<1×10^(–4)).Moreover,323 SNPs were within the reported QTL regions,of which 21 were novel.Also,158 SNPs fell into the proximal region of meat quality related genes.In addition,25 haplotype blocks based on 116 SNPs were revealed with SNP combination patterns for five traits.Our study added new SNP information for identification of meat quality traits in pigs and will help elucidate the mechanisms of meat quality in pigs.

Chip-based visual detection of micro RNA using DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles

In the present study, we developed a highly sensitive and convenient biosensor consisting of gold nanoparticle （AuNP） probes and a gene chip to detect microRNAs （miRNAs）. Specific oligonucleotides were attached to the glass surface as capture probes for the target miRNAs, which were then detected via hybridization to the AuNP probes. The signal was amplified via the re- duction of HAuCI4 by H202. The use of a single AuNP probe detected 10 pmol L-1 of target miRNA. The recovery rate for miR-126 from fetal bovine serum was 81.5%-109.1%. The biosensor detection of miR-126 in total RNA extracted from lung cancer tissues was consistent with the quantitative PCR （qPCR） results. The use of two AuNP probes further improved the de- tection sensitivity such that even 1 fmol L-t of target miR-125a-5p was detectable. This assay takes less than 1 h to complete and the results can be observed by the naked eye, The platform simultaneously detected lung cancer related miR-126 and miR-125a-5p. Therefore, this low cost, rapid, and convenient technology could be used for ultrasensitive and robust visual miRNA detection.

Research on SAR data integrated processing methodology oriented on earth environment factor inversions

As an important advanced technique in the field of Earth observations,Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR)plays a key role in the study of global environmental change,resources exploration,disaster mitigation,urban environments,and even lunar exploration.However,studies on imaging,image processing,and Earth factor inversions have often been conducted independently for a long time,which significantly limits the application effectiveness of SAR remote sensing due to the lack of an overall integrated design scheme and integrated information processing.Focusing on this SAR application issue,this paper proposes and describes a new SAR data processing methodology–SAR data integrated processing(DIP)oriented on Earth environment factor inversions.The simple definition,typical integrated modes and overall implementation ideas are introduced.Finally,focusing on building information extraction(man-made targets)and sea ice classification(natural targets)applications,three SAR DIP methods and experiments are conducted.Improved results are obtained under the guidance of the SAR DIP framework.Therefore,the SAR DIP theoretical framework and methodology represent a new SAR science application mode that has the capability to improve the SAR remote sensing quantitative application level and promote the development of new theories and methodologies.