Joint analysis of three genome-wide association studies of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese populations

We conducted a joint (pooled) analysis of three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) 1-3 of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in ethnic Chinese (5,337 ESCC cases and 5,787 controls) with 9,654 ESCC cases and 10,058 controls for follow-up. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, study, and two eigenvectors, two new loci achieved genome-wide significance, marked by rs7447927 at 5q31.2 (per-allele odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% CI 0.82-0.88; P=7.72x10−20) and rs1642764 at 17p13.1 (per-allele OR= 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91; P=3.10x10−13). rs7447927 is a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TMEM173 and rs1642764 is an intronic SNP in ATP1B2, near TP53. Furthermore, a locus in the HLA class II region at 6p21.32 (rs35597309) achieved genome-wide significance in the two populations at highest risk for ESSC (OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.46; P=1.99x10−10). Our joint analysis identified new ESCC susceptibility loci overall as well as a new locus unique to the ESCC high risk Taihang Mountain region

Direct graphene synthesis on LiNbO3 substrate by C implantation on Cu covering layer

We directly synthesized multi-layer graphene with an area of several hundred square microns on the lithium niobate (LN, LiNbO _3 ) substrate by Carbon (C) implantation into the copper (Cu)-covered LiNbO _3 . The energy of C ion implantation was optimized per SRIM simulation to ensure that the distribution of C covers the Cu/LiNbO _3 interface. The optimized energy was established at 55 keV, such that the formation of C peaks in the respective materials on each side of the Cu/LiNbO _3 interface. The diffusion of the accumulated C to the Cu/LiNbO _3 interface can form a more uniform C distribution at the interface, which is beneficial to the synthesis of graphene. Following the annealing process and removal of the Cu coating, a multi-layer graphene with an area of several hundred square microns on the surface of LiNbO _3 was identified and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This remarkable advancement encourages the industrialization of direct graphene synthesis on LiNbO _3 substrates via ion implantation

Suppression effect of silicon (Si) on Er3+ 1.54μm excitation in ZnO thin films

We have investigated the photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of ZnO:Er thin films on Si (100) single crystal and SiO2-on-silicon (SiO2) substrates, synthesized by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Rutherford backscattering/channeling spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscope (AFM) were used to analyze the properties of thin films. The diffusion depth profiles of Si were determined by second ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Infrared spectra were obtained from the spectrometer and related instruments. Compared with the results at room temperature (RT), PL (1.54μm) intensity increased when samples were annealed at 250°C and decreased when at 550°C. A new peak at 1.15μm from silicon (Si) appeared in 550°C samples. The Si dopants in ZnO film, either through the diffusion of Si from the substrate or ambient, directly absorbed the energy of pumping light and resulted in the suppression of Er3+ 1.54μm excitation. Furthermore, the energy transmission efficiency between Si and Er3+ was very low when compared with silicon nanocrystal (Si-NC). Both made the PL (1.54μm) intensity decrease. All the data in experiments proved the negative effects of Si dopants on PL at 1.54μm. And further research is going on

Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Water Quality, Sediment Properties and Submerged Vegetation in a Eutrophic Lake after Ten Years of Ecological Restoration

Eutrophication has caused many serious environmental issues in lakes. Submerged vegetation, which plays a key role in maintaining the clear water state of shallow lakes, is strongly influenced by water quality and sediment properties. In this study, we seasonally investigated the water quality, sediment properties and submerged plant communities in 18 sites in Lake Honghu of China, an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. Results indicated that most of the water quality parameters and sediment properties showed no significant difference among the three site types (i.e., perennially vegetated, seasonally vegetated and unvegetated). However, the Secchi depth in perennially and seasonally vegetated sites was significantly higher that in unvegetated sites. By contrast, season had a strong effect on most of the water quality parameters and sediment properties (e.g., water chlorophyll-a concentration). For submerged vegetation, species richness and biomass showed significant spatial but not seasonal differences, with higher richness and biomass in perennially vegetated sites. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the distribution of submerged plants was mainly determined by water NH4+ concentration and water depth. Our findings suggest that restoration of submerged vegetation in Chinese eutrophic lakes may be a feasible method for improving water environments and enhancing ecological functions

Surface modification of single crystal LiTaO3 by H and He implantation

Defects production and evolution in H and He ions co-implanted LiTaO3 under different implantation order (H + He and He + H) are investigated. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to study the lattice damage, composition and structure change in the buried damage region. Obvious differences of ions aggregation mechanism are found in H and He implanted LiTaO3. Blistering or splitting of LiTaO3 is more easily achieved in the case where He is implanted first compared to the reverses case. Significant damage enhancement and micro-fractures are observed in samples with He preimplant. The dispersed damage in H-first sample is due to the destruction by He post-bombardment of H-clusters. This order effect indicates the strong aggregation and trapping ability of He ions and He bubbles. The effect of coimplantation parameters on the cleaving of LiTaO3 is discusse

Transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for uterosacral ligament suspension: pilot study of 35 cases of severe pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract Background To describe the short-term outcomes of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) in patients with severe prolapse. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with severe prolapse (≥ stage 3) who underwent vNOTES for USLS between May 2019 and July 2020. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) score, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) and Pelvic Floor Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) were used to evaluate physical prolapse and quality of life before and after vNOTES for USLS. Results A total of 35 patients were included. The mean operative duration was 111.7 ± 39.4 min. The mean blood loss was 67.9 ± 35.8 ml. Statistically significant differences were observed between before and after vNOTES USLS in Aa (+ 0.6 ± 1.7 versus − 2.9 ± 0.2), Ba (+ 1.9 ± 2.2 versus − 2.9 ± 0.3), C (+ 1.5 ± 2.2 versus − 6.9 ± 0.9), Ap (− 1.4 ± 1.0 versus − 3.0 ± 0.1) and Bp (− 1.1 ± 1.4 versus − 2.9 ± 0.1) (P < 0.05 for all). The mean pre- and postoperative PFDI-20 score was 19.9 ± 6.7 and 3.2 ± 5.4, respectively, and the mean pre- and postoperative PISQ-12 score was 24.8 ± 2.3 and 38.3 ± 4.1, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). During 1–13 months of follow-up, there were no cases of severe complications or recurrence. Conclusions vNOTES for USLS may be a feasible technique to manage severe prolapse, with promising short-term efficacy and safety. Larger studies with more patients and longer follow-up periods should be performed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of vNOTES for USLS

Near-infrared emission in Er:ZnO thin films with embedded Si nanoparticles synthesized by ion implantation

Er-doped ZnO thin films on a SiO _2 /Si substrate were fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, in which embedded Si nanoparticles (NPs) were formed by ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. The effects of Si NPs on the Er photoluminescence (PL) at 1.54 μ m were investigated. In addition to the typical emission at 1.54 μ m from Er ^3+ , a new 1.16- μ m emission peak was also observed after a thermal treatment. Further annealing resulted in shift of emission intensity between the 1.16- and 1.54- μ m luminescence features. The observed Si nanoparticles (NPs) were ∼4 nm in diameter. The formation of new components Zn _2 SiO _4 and Er _2 Si _2 O _7 was also presented in this study. The 1.16- μ m luminescence is attributed to the Si NPs, and the suppression of Si NPs related emission is caused by consumption of Si in the formation of Er silicate and zinc silicide and the energy transfer between Si NPs and Er ^3+ . The intensity of Er ^3+ related 1.54- μ m PL can be modulated by the Si NPs fabricated by implantation and optimizing the annealing condition