Characterization of the early fiber development gene, Ligon-lintless 1 (Li1), using microarray

AbstractCotton fiber length is a key factor in determining fiber quality in the textile industry throughout the world. Understanding the molecular basis of fiber elongation would allow for improvement of fiber length. Ligon-lintless 1 (Li1) is a monogenic dominant mutation that results in short fibers. This mutant provides an excellent model system to study the molecular mechanisms of cotton fiber elongation. Microarray technology and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to evaluate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Ligon-lintless 1 (Li1) mutant compared to the wild-type. Although the results showed only a few differentially expressed genes at −1, 3 and 7days post anthesis (DPA); at 5 DPA, there were 1915 DEGs, including 984 up-regulated genes and 931 down-regulated genes. The critical stage for early termination of Li1 fiber elongation was 5 DPA, as there were the most differentially expressed genes in this sample. The transcription factors and other proteins identified might contribute to understanding the molecular basis of early fiber elongation. Gene ontology analysis identified some key GO terms that impact the regulation of fiber development during early elongation. These results provide some fundamental information about the TFs that might provide new insight into understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cotton fiber development

Results of accelerated trans-epithelial corneal collagen cross-linking protocol for the treatment of progressive keratoconus

AIM: To report the long-term clinical outcomes of accelerated trans-epithelial corneal cross-linking(CXL)protocols using KXL System(Avedro, USA)in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.METHODS: Totally 52 patients(102 eyes)with progressive keratoconus between December 2014 and February 2017 \〖maximum keratometry values(Kmax)≤60.0D, minimum corneal thickness(Thk)≥400m\〗 were treated with an accelerate trans-epithelial CXL protocol(UV-A irradiation intensity 45mW/cm2 with a total fluence of 7.2J/cm2)using KXL system(Avedro, USA)in Southwest Hospital. The average follow-up time was 11.65mo(range: 9-26mo). Uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), intra-ocular pressure(IOP), slit-lamp microscope examination, Kmax and average keratometry values(AveK), corneal stromal demarcation line depth and endothelial cell density(ECD)were evaluated.RESULTS: The 52 patients(102 eyes)were included in this research, male 36(70 eyes)and female 16(32 eyes), average age was 19.5±4.6 years. Preoperative CDVA was 0.84±0.89(LogMAR), postoperative CDVA was 0.69±0.72(P=0.398). Preoperative UDVA was 1.02±0.62(LogMAR), postoperative UDVA was 0.85±0.59(P=0.154). Preoperative IOP was 12.95±4.40mmHg, postoperative IOP was 11.92±3.66mmHg(P=0.272). No statistical difference(P=0.552)has been found between preoperative and postoperative ECD. Nevertheless, on the Sirius anterior system(Sirius, CSO, Itlay), significant statistical difference(P=0.017)was confirmed between preoperative Kmax(50.83±3.48D)and postoperative Kmax(52.05±3.63D). Meanwhile, the postoperative Avek(47.74±2.51D)was significantly lower(P=0.041)than the preoperative Avek(48.73±4.33D). The average corneal stromal demarcation line depth(192±23.6μm)was detected by the anterior segment OCT. No statistical difference(P=0.816)has been found between preoperative and postoperative Thk. No severe complication was observed in all cases.CONCLUSION: Accelerated trans-epithelial CXL was effective in decreasing keratometry values for progressive keratoconus in this research, and the outcomes remained stable during the follow-up time. No endothelium damage or other severe complications were observed in this clinical research. The accelerated trans-epithelial CXL is as effective as the standard CXL

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Roadmap on energy harvesting materials

Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere

Application of Multi-sensor Information Fusion Technology on Fault Diagnosis of Electrical System

This paper presents a multi-sensor information fusion technology based on electrical system fault diagnosis model, analysis the multi-sensor information fusion technology of several structure layer and realization method, and discusses its application in fault diagnosis of electrical system. Select and implement appropriate methods for the information fusion, the different error characteristic parameters in electrical system can be fused and calculated by this model, and a more valuable conclusion for the fault diagnosis of electrical system can be provided

Application of Multi-sensor Information Fusion Technology on Fault Diagnosis of Electrical System

This paper presents a multi-sensor information fusion technology based on electrical system fault diagnosis model, analysis the multi-sensor information fusion technology of several structure layer and realization method, and discusses its application in fault diagnosis of electrical system. Select and implement appropriate methods for the information fusion, the different error characteristic parameters in electrical system can be fused and calculated by this model, and a more valuable conclusion for the fault diagnosis of electrical system can be provided

Whole body metabolic tumor volume is a prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer, confirmed with external validation

Abstract Purpose TNM Stage 3B encompasses a wide range of primary tumor and nodal metastatic tumor burden. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of quantitative FDG PET/CT parameters in patients with newly diagnosed Stage 3B Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods Institutional review board approved retrospective study identified patients diagnosed with Stage 3B NSCLC (8th edition TNM classification) on baseline FDG PET/CT at two medical centers (Medical centers A and B), between Feb 2004 and Dec 2014. Patients were excluded if they had prior NSCLC treatment or recent diagnosis of a second primary cancer. Quantitative FDG PET/CT parameters including whole body metabolic tumor volume (MTVwb), total lesion glycolysis (TLGwb), and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmaxwb) were measured from baseline PET/CT using Edge method with Mimvista software. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier overall survival analyses were used to test for an association between OS and quantitative FDG PET/CT parameters. The distributions of MTVwb, TLGwb, SUVmaxwb were skewed, so a natural logarithm transformation was applied and the transformed variables [(ln(MTVwb), ln(TLGwb), and ln(SUVmaxwb)] were used in the analysis. Results The training set included 110 patients from center A with Stage 3B NSCLC. 78.2% of patients expired during follow-up. Median OS was 14 months. 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year OS was 56.5%, 34.6% and 13.9%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed no significant difference in OS on the basis of age, gender, histology, ln(TLGwb), or ln(SUVmaxwb). ln(MTVwb) was positively associated with OS [hazard ratio (HR) of 1.23, p = 0.037]. This association persisted on multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 1.28, p = 0.043), with adjustments for age, gender, treatment and tumor histology. External validation with 44 patients from center B confirmed increasing MTVwb was associated significantly worse OS. An MTVwb cut-off point of 85.6 mL significantly stratified Stage 3B NSCLC patient prognosis. Conclusion MTVwb is a prognostic marker for OS in patients with Stage 3B NSCLC, independent of age, gender, treatment, and tumor histology