Estimating Cloud and Aerosol UV Modification Factors Based on Spectral Measurement from the Brewer Spectrophotometer

Cloud and aerosol modification factors are investigated in the spectral range of ultraviolet (UV) to correct for cloud and aerosol extinction effects from clear sky irradiance. The cloud modification factor (CMF) and aerosol modification factor (AMF) are estimated using radiative transfer model (RTM) simulations and ground-based observations in Seoul, Korea. The modification factors show a spectral dependence within the spectral range of 300 to 360 nm, which is the range used to estimate erythemal UV. The CMF and AMF values are estimated with high spectral resolution with considerations of solar zenith angle (SZA), cloud/aerosol amount, and total ozone variation. From the simulation studies, the variation in the CMFs within the spectral range of 300-360 nm is estimated to be 0.031-0.055, which is twice as large as the decrease in CMFs resulting from a SZA increase of 10 degrees. In addition, the CMFs estimated from observational data show significant spectral dependence, varying from 2.5% to 10.0%. Because of the small aerosol optical depth (AOD) value, however, the variation in the AMF calculated from simulations is estimated to be between 0.007 and 0.045, indicating lower spectral dependence than the CMF. Furthermore, the spectral difference in the AMF calculated from observational data is insignificant relative to the daily-averaged total ozone error and uncertainties related to the reference irradiance spectrum under aerosol-free conditions

Nicotiana benthamiana protein, NbPCIP1, interacting with Potato virus X coat protein plays a role as susceptible factor for viral infection

AbstractThe interactions of viral coat protein (CP) and host factors play an important role in viral replication and/or host defense mechanism. In this study, we constructed Nicotiana benthamiana cDNA library to find host factors interacting with Potato virus X (PVX) CP. Using yeast two-hybrid assay, we screened 3.3×106 independent yeast transformants from N. benthamiana cDNA library and identified six positive clones. One positive clone, named PVX CP-interacting protein 1 (NbPCIP1), is a plant-specific protein with homologue in N. tabacum (GenBank accession no. AB04049). We confirmed the PVX CP–NbPCIP1 interaction using yeast-two hybrid assay in yeast, protein–protein binding assay in vitro, and bimolecular fluorescent complementation assay in planta. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the mRNA level of NbPCIP1 increased in PVX-infected N. benthamiana plants as compared to that of healthy plants. The green fluorescent protein (sGFP)-fused NbPCIP1 (NbPCIP1-sGFP) was localized in ER or ER-associated granular-like structure of cells. When we co-express NbPCIP1-sGFP and red fluorescent protein (RFP)-fused PVX CP (PVX CP-RFP), which were introduced by transiently expressing these proteins in N. benthamiana protoplasts and epidermal cells, however, we observed the co-localization of these proteins in the inclusion body-like complex in areas surrounding nucleus. Transient over-expression and transgene silencing of NbPCIP1 assay analysis indicated that NbPCIP1 plays a critical role in viral replication during PVX infection in host plant

Comparison of Single-Port Laparoscopy with Other Surgical Approaches in Endometrial Cancer Surgical Staging: Propensity-Score-Matched Analysis

This single-institution, retrospective study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of single-port, multi-port, and robot-assisted laparoscopy, as well as laparotomy, in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent surgical staging between January 2006 and December 2017. This study evaluated various parameters, including disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), recurrence rate (RR), recurrence site, and intra- and postoperative complications. Propensity score matching was performed to account for baseline characteristics, and a total of 881 patients were included in the analysis. The 3-year DFS of single-port laparoscopy was similar to that of the other groups, but laparotomy exhibited a lower 3-year DFS compared to multi-port (p = 0.001) and robot-assisted (p = 0.031) laparoscopy. Single-port laparoscopy resulted in a significantly higher 3-year OS than laparotomy (p = 0.013). After propensity score matching, the four groups demonstrated similar survival outcomes (3-year DFS: p = 0.533; 3-year OS: p = 0.328) and recurrence rates (10.3%, 12.1%, 10.3%, and 15.9% in the single-port, multi-port, and robot-assisted laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, respectively, p = 0.552). Recurrence most commonly occurred in distant organs. The single-port laparoscopy group had the longest operative time (205.1 ± 76.9 min) but the least blood loss (69.5 ± 90.8 mL) and the shortest postoperative hospital stay (5.2 ± 2.3 days). In contrast, the laparotomy group had the shortest operative time (163.4 ± 51.0 min) but the highest blood loss (368.3 ± 326.4 mL) and the longest postoperative hospital stay (10.3 ± 4.6 days). The transfusion rate was 0% in the single-port laparoscopy group and 3.7% in the laparotomy group. Notably, the laparotomy group had the highest wound complication rate (p = 0.001), whereas no wound hernias were observed in the three minimally invasive approaches. In conclusion, the survival outcomes were comparable between the methods, with the benefit of lower blood loss and shorter hospital stay observed in the single-port laparoscopy group. This study suggests that single-port laparoscopy is a feasible approach for endometrial cancer surgical staging