Maize microrna166 inactivation confers plant development and abiotic stress resistance

MicroRNAs are important regulators in plant developmental processes and stress responses. In this study, we generated a series of maize STTM166 transgenic plants. Knock-down of miR166 resulted in various morphological changes, including rolled leaves, enhanced abiotic stress resistance, inferior yield-related traits, vascular pattern and epidermis structures, tassel architecture, as well as abscisic acid (ABA) level elevation and indole acetic acid (IAA) level reduction in maize. To profile miR166 regulated genes, we performed RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis. A total of 178 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 118 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated genes. These DEGs were strongly enriched in cell and intercellular components, cell membrane system components, oxidoreductase activity, single organism metabolic process, carbohydrate metabolic process, and oxidation reduction process. These results indicated that miR166 plays important roles in auxin and ABA interaction in monocots, yet the specific mechanism may differ from dicots. The enhanced abiotic stress resistance is partly caused via rolling leaves, high ABA content, modulated vascular structure, and the potential changes of cell membrane structure. The inferior yield-related traits and late flowering are partly controlled by the decreased IAA content, the interplay of miR166 with other miRNAs and AGOs. Taken together, the present study uncovered novel functions of miR166 in maize, and provide insights on applying short tandem target mimics (STTM) technology in plant breeding

Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

This publication is the Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering from July 6-8, 2022. The EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering brings together international experts working on the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolution of challenges such as supporting multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways. &nbsp

Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering

This publication is the Proceedings of the 29th EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering from July 6-8, 2022. The EG-ICE International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering brings together international experts working on the interface between advanced computing and modern engineering challenges. Many engineering tasks require open-world resolution of challenges such as supporting multi-actor collaboration, coping with approximate models, providing effective engineer-computer interaction, search in multi-dimensional solution spaces, accommodating uncertainty, including specialist domain knowledge, performing sensor-data interpretation and dealing with incomplete knowledge. While results from computer science provide much initial support for resolution, adaptation is unavoidable and most importantly, feedback from addressing engineering challenges drives fundamental computer-science research. Competence and knowledge transfer goes both ways. &nbsp

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of 52 cases with SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer and 20 cases with thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor

Background Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4-UT) is a distinct clinicopathological entity with an aggressive clinical course. Additionally, SMARCA4/BRG1 deficiency can be observed in a few patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to compare the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and prognostic features of SMARCA4-deficient NSCLC (SMARCA4-dNSCLC) with those of thoracic SMARCA4-UT. Methods Patients with BRG1-deficient tumors in the lung or thorax were enrolled in the study from the Department of Pathology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2014 to June 2022. We retrospectively collected the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features and outcomes of these patients. Results Seventy-two patients had tumors in the lung or thorax with BRG1-deficient expression, including 52 patients with SMARCA4-dNSCLC and 20 patients with thoracic SMARCA4-UT. Among the patients with SMARCA4-dNSCLC, 98.1% were male, 85.7% were smokers, and 79.5% (35/44) had tumor-node-metas­tasis (TNM) III-IV tumors. Among the patients with thoracic SMARCA4-UT, all were males who smoked, and 93.75% (15/16) had TNM III-IV tumors. Pure solid architecture and necrosis were the predominant pathological features. Rhabdoid morphology was observed in some SMARCA4-dNSCLCs (10/52, 19.2%) and thoracic SMARCA4-UTs (11/20, 55%). In most patients with thoracic SMARCA4-UT, the tumors exhibited scattered weak expression or negative expression of epithelial markers, and positive expression of CD34 and Syn. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were not significantly different between patients with SMARCA4-dNSCLC and patients with thoracic SMARCA4-UT (p = 0.63 and p = 0.20, respectively). Conclusions Thoracic SMARCA4-DTs include SMARCA4-dNSCLC and thoracic SMARCA4-UT. Both have overlapping clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. We hypothesize that thoracic SMARCA4-UT may be the undifferentiated or dedifferentiated form of SMARCA4-dNSCLC. However, further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up periods are needed

Congenital peribronchial myofibroblastic tumor (CPMT): a case report with long term follow-up and next-generation sequencing (NGS)

Abstract Background Congenital peribronchial myofibroblastic tumor (CPMT) is an extremely rare lung disease in infants. It shows benign behavior and has a favorable survival after surgical treatment. CPMT was reported only in cases. Here, we report the longest follow-up known case of CPMT and review the clinical, radiographic and histopathological features of the published literature. Case presentation Ultrasound examination at 30 weeks of gestational age of a healthy 29-year-old female revealed a solid mass in the left lung. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the left lower lobe. The tumor was removed by lobectomy and pathologically diagnosed with CPMT. The tumor was composed of cartilage, spindle cells and oval cells. Vimentin was strongly positive. Smooth muscle actin (SMA) was positive in the spindle cells. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were similar to those in the literature. No ETV6-NTRK3 fusion or ALK rearrangement was detected. Gene mutations in JAK2 and SMO were detected by NGS. She is currently alive for 8 years with no evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusions CPMT is a rare lung tumor in infants. Surgical treatment is recommended for CPMT. The prognosis after successful surgery is favorable. The final diagnosis was histopathologic findings. Due to its cellularity, mitotic activity and rapid growth, long-term follow-up should be strengthened. The present patient is alive and well for 8 years after the surgery without recurrence. Gene mutations in JAK2 and SMO were detected, which may be associated with the formation of CPMT

The Effect of Clamping Force on the Wear Behavior of a Steam Generator Tube

Anti-vibration bars (AVBs) are essential components of a steam generator (SG) and are used to prevent steam generator tubes (SGTs) from vibrating intensely because of flow-induced vibration. However, the contact force generated at contact surfaces between AVBs and tubes can change the natural frequency and wear behavior of the tube. Contact force is represented by clamping force in this study. Considering the effect of the clamping force on the natural frequency and sliding distance of SGT, dynamic wear behavior under different clamping forces was analyzed based on the finite element method, and the natural frequency of the tube was measured in the present work. Moreover, the wear experiment was conducted at room temperature to verify the conclusions of dynamic behavior analysis. The increase in clamping force reduces the sliding distance of SGT, and wear depth affected by both clamping force and sliding distance also decreases

Influence of Different Therapies on EGFR Mutants by Circulating Cell-free DNA of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Prognosis

Background and objective Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation is closely related to the EGFR-TKI target treatment and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients. The mutation status of EGFR is limited by tissue detection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of EGFR mutants in plasmacirculating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in three groups: pre-therapy, after traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the plasma cfDNA could effectively determine the EGFR mutations and monitor the drug resistant gene T790M, as well as its prognostic prediction value in patients with targeted therapy. Methods ARMS (amplification refractory mutation system)-PCR was used to detect EGFR mutations in 107 (50 of pre-therapy, 29 after traditional chemotherapy and 28 after targeted therapy) cases of paired plasma and tumor tissue specimens, followed by comparing their concordance. The sensitivity, specificity and the prognostic value of plasma cfDNA detection were also observed. Results The total rate of EGFR mutation was 56% (60/107) in all plasma samples and 77.6% (83/107) in corresponding tumor tissues. Completely the same mutants and wild-type EGFR were found in 68.2% cases of paired specimens. The sensitivity of plasma cfDNA detection was 72.3% and the specificity was up to 100%. Patients were sub-categorized according to therapy. The results showed that the highest consistent rate of cfDNA and tumor tissues was found in the group of pre-therapy (74%, 37/50). Whereas, the lowest consistent rate was observed in the targeted therapy group (57.1%, 16/28). It indicated that the targeted treatment could change the EGFR status in plasma cfDNA. Further analyses on inconsistent cases in this group revealed that 50% of them were compound EGFR mutations with T790M. Thereby, it suggested that targeted therapy might induce the emergence of drug resistance gene T790M. This speculation was confirmed by survival analyses. Based on plasma cfDNA results, patients with T790M mutant had significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Conclusion For EGFR testing, ARMS-PCR on plasma cfDNA is a promising methodology with the highest specificity and effective sensitivity. It is useful for EGFR testing in patients before treatment, especially the late-stage patients. Simultaneously, plasma cfDNA could be used to monitor the drug resistant mutation, T790M status and predict prognosis after targeted therapy

The Effect of Clamping Force on the Wear Behavior of a Steam Generator Tube

Anti-vibration bars (AVBs) are essential components of a steam generator (SG) and are used to prevent steam generator tubes (SGTs) from vibrating intensely because of flow-induced vibration. However, the contact force generated at contact surfaces between AVBs and tubes can change the natural frequency and wear behavior of the tube. Contact force is represented by clamping force in this study. Considering the effect of the clamping force on the natural frequency and sliding distance of SGT, dynamic wear behavior under different clamping forces was analyzed based on the finite element method, and the natural frequency of the tube was measured in the present work. Moreover, the wear experiment was conducted at room temperature to verify the conclusions of dynamic behavior analysis. The increase in clamping force reduces the sliding distance of SGT, and wear depth affected by both clamping force and sliding distance also decreases