Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Metabolite Analysis Combined with Transcriptomics Reveals Genes Involved in Wax Biosynthesis in Allium fistulosum L.

Cuticular waxes are essential for protecting plants from various environmental stresses. Allium fistulosum serves as an excellent model for investigating the regulatory mechanisms underlying cuticular wax synthesis with notable epidermal wax characteristics. A combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolite analysis and transcriptomics was used to investigate variations in metabolites and gene expression patterns between the wild type (WT) and glossy mutant type (gl2) of A. fistulosum. The WT surface had a large number of acicular and lamellar waxy crystals, whereas the leaf surface of gl2 was essentially devoid of waxy crystals. And the results revealed a significant decrease in the content of 16-hentriacontanone, the principal component of cuticular wax, in the gl2 mutant. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3084 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between WT and gl2. Moreover, we identified 12 genes related to fatty acid or wax synthesis. Among these, 10 DEGs were associated with positive regulation of wax synthesis, whereas 2 genes exhibited negative regulatory functions. Furthermore, two of these genes were identified as key regulators through weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Notably, the promoter region of AfisC5G01838 (AfCER1-LIKE1) exhibited a 258-bp insertion upstream of the coding region in gl2 and decreased the transcription of the AfCER1-LIKE1 gene. This study provided insights into the molecular mechanisms governing cuticular wax synthesis in A. fistulosum, laying the foundation for future breeding strategies.

Quasi-"In Situ" Analysis of the Reactive Liquid-Solid Interface during Magnesium Corrosion Using Cryo-Atom Probe Tomography.

The early stages of corrosion occurring at liquid-solid interfaces control the evolution of the material's degradation process, yet due to their transient state, their analysis remains a formidable challenge. Here corrosion tests are performed on a MgCa alloy, a candidate material for biodegradable implants using pure water as a model system. The corrosion reaction is suspended by plunge freezing into liquid nitrogen. The evolution of the early-stage corrosion process on the nanoscale by correlating cryo-atom probe tomography (APT) with transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopy, is studied. The outward growth of Mg hydroxide Mg(OH)2 and the inward growth of an intermediate corrosion layer consisting of hydrloxides of different compositions, mostly monohydroxide Mg(OH) instead of the expected MgO layer, are observed. In addition, Ca partitions to these newly formed hydroxides and oxides. Density-functional theory calculations suggest a domain of stability for this previously experimental unreported Mg(OH) phase. This new approach and these new findings advance the understanding of the early stages of magnesium corrosion, and in general reactions and processes at liquid-solid interfaces, which can further facilitate the development of corrosion-resistant materials or better control of the biodegradation rate of future implants.

Hybrid Water-Harvesting Channels Delivering Wide-Range and Supersensitive Passive Fluorescence Humidity Sensors.

The development of optical humidity detection has been of considerable interest in highly integrated wearable electronics and packaged equipment. However, improving their capacities for color recognition at ultralow humidity and response-recovery rate remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a type of hybrid water-harvesting channel to construct brand-new passive fluorescence humidity sensors (PFHSs). Specifically, the hybrid water-harvesting channels involve porous metal-organic frameworks and a hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) network that can capture water vapors from the ambient environment even at ultralow humidity, into which polar-responsive aggregation-induced emission molecules are doped to impart humidity-sensitive luminescence colors. As a result, the PFHSs exhibit clearly defined fluorescence signals within 0-98% RH coupling with desirable performances such as a fast response rate, precise quantitative feedback, and durable reversibility. Given the flexible processability of this system, we further upgrade the porous structure via electrostatic spinning to furnish a kind of Nano-PFHSs, demonstrating an impressive response time (<100 ms). Finally, we validate the promising applications of these sensors in electronic humidity monitoring and successfully fabricate a portable and rapid humidity indicator card.

Purification of dredged water by magnetic coagulation: Response surface optimization and dissolved organic matter removal characteristics.

In the present study, magnetic coagulation was used to treat dredged water and the response surface method was used to optimize process parameters. The dissolved organic matter (DOM) removal characteristics were characterized by three-dimensional fluorescence spectrometry and ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. During the magnetic coagulation process, the suspended solids (SS) removal rate increased initially and then decreased under conditions of increasing magnetic powder dosage and stirring rate. After magnetic coagulation and precipitation for 20 min, the contents of SS, ammonia nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and total phosphorus in the treated dredged water met the requirements of the discharge standard (GB8978-1996, China). Three-dimensional fluorescence results showed that magnetic coagulation selectively removed fulvic acids and humic acid substances. After magnetic coagulation with precipitation for 10 min and 20 min, the total relative content of lignins, tannins, proteins, lipids, aminosugars, unsaturated hydrocarbons, condensed aromatic structures, and carbohydrates decreased by 26.3% and 39.4%, respectively. After magnetic coagulation, the distribution range of small molecule DOM shifted to the low H/C and high O/C regions. This study provides a novel perspective for studies on the removal of DOM in dredged water by magnetic coagulation. PRACTITIONER POINTS: SS and DOM removal were significantly enhanced by the use of magnetic coagulation. SS removal efficiency was affected by stirring rate and magnetic powder dosage. Magnetic coagulation selectively removed fulvic acids and humic acid substances. DOM molecule shifted to low H/C and high O/C regions after magnetic coagulation.

Fast autofocusing of recorded planes by salient feature region for coherent diffraction imaging.

In multi-distance coherent diffraction imaging, the task of distance calculation for multi-diffraction images is cumbersome. The information features are hard-to-extract and the region of interest extraction algorithms are difficult to be adopted. A universal salient feature region selection algorithm by using the area with the highest density of corners is proposed to extract the most representative feature region. In addition, equally spaced recording modes and mismatched diffraction distances will result in system noise and destroy image quality. The polydirectional maximum gradient is offered as a sharpness criterion to weigh a quantitative feature for the final pattern. A fast, sensitive, and high-accuracy autofocusing and sample reconstruction can be achieved using only a small number of images while ensuring that morphological properties and quantification of the reconstructions are not compromised. The proposed method is promising for biological and medical dynamic observations for computational imaging systems.

Quantitative three-dimensional imaging of chemical short-range order via machine learning enhanced atom probe tomography.

Chemical short-range order (CSRO) refers to atoms of specific elements self-organising within a disordered crystalline matrix to form particular atomic neighbourhoods. CSRO is typically characterized indirectly, using volume-averaged or through projection microscopy techniques that fail to capture the three-dimensional atomistic architectures. Here, we present a machine-learning enhanced approach to break the inherent resolution limits of atom probe tomography enabling three-dimensional imaging of multiple CSROs. We showcase our approach by addressing a long-standing question encountered in body-centred-cubic Fe-Al alloys that see anomalous property changes upon heat treatment. We use it to evidence non-statistical B2-CSRO instead of the generally-expected D03-CSRO. We introduce quantitative correlations among annealing temperature, CSRO, and nano-hardness and electrical resistivity. Our approach is further validated on modified D03-CSRO detected in Fe-Ga. The proposed strategy can be generally employed to investigate short/medium/long-range ordering phenomena in different materials and help design future high-performance materials.

Influence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Patients Undergoing Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is recognized as a global disease. Although IBD is commonly diagnosed in the young male population, it also occurs in patients aged >60 years. With the advent of an aging society, it is expected that an increasing number of patients with IBD will undergo total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Purpose: To assess the impact of IBD on the risk of complications and revision as well as the length of stay (LOS) and treatment costs after TJA. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Utilizing PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, articles were searched in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from the date of inception to August 31, 2022, using the following search terms: (1) "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"[MeSH] and (2) "Arthroplasty, Replacement"[MeSH]. The study quality was scored according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate odds ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of 232 studies initially retrieved, 8 retrospective cohort studies consisting of 33,758 patients with IBD and 386,238 patients without IBD were included. Patients with IBD had a higher incidence of complications (P < .05), readmission and revision (P < .05), experienced a longer LOS (P < .01), and paid higher treatment costs after TJA compared with patients without IBD . Conclusion: The results of our review demonstrated that IBD increased the risk of postoperative complications, prolonged the LOS, and increased treatment costs.

Analysis of Zinc and Stromal Immunity in Disuse Osteoporosis: Mendelian Randomization and Transcriptomic Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Disuse osteoporosis is known to be primarily caused by a lack of exercise. However, the causal relationships between zinc and immunity and disuse osteoporosis remain unknown. This study investigated these relationships and their potential mechanisms. METHODS: This study was an integrative study combining genome-wide association studies and transcriptomics. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) was used to analyze the causal relationships between exposures (zinc, immunity, physical activity) and the outcome (osteoporosis) with the aid of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs). Four models, MR-Egger, inverse variance weighted, weighted median and MR-Pleiotrophy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MRPRESSO), were used to calculate odds ratio values. Sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses were also performed using MRPRESSO and MR-Egger methods. The mRNA transcriptomic analysis was subsequently conducted. Zinc metabolism scores were acquired through single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis algorithms. Stromal scores were obtained using the R Package "estimate" algorithms. Important Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology pathways were also derived through gene set variation analysis. Cytoscape software helped construct the transcription factor (TF)-mRNA-microRNA (miRNA) network. Virtual screening and molecular docking were performed. Polymerase chain reaction validation was also carried out in vivo. RESULTS: Causal relationships were demonstrated between zinc and exercise (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-2.95, p = 0.001), exercise and immunity (95% CI = 0.36-0.80, p = 0.002), exercise and osteoporosis (95% CI = 0.97-0.99, p = 0.0007), and immunity disorder and osteoporosis (95% CI = 1.30-2.03, p = 0.00002). One hundred and seventy-nine mRNAs in important modules were screened. Combining the differential expressional genes (DEGs) and the Boruta selection, six DEGs were screened (AHNAK, CSF2, ADAMTS12, SRA1, RUNX2, and SLC39A14). TF HOXC10 and miRNA hsa-miR-204 were predicted. Then, the TF-mRNA-miRNA network was successfully constructed. RUNX2 and SLC39A14 were identified as hub mRNAs in the TF-mRNA-miRNA network. Eventually, the novel small drug C6O4NH5 was designed according to the pharmacophore structure of SLC39A14. The docking energy for the novel drug was -5.83 kcal/mol. SLC39A14 and RUNX2 were downregulated (of statistical significance p-value < 0.05) in our animal experiment. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that zinc had a protective causal relationship with disuse osteoporosis by promoting exercise and immunity. SLC39A14 and RUNX2 mRNA participated in this zinc-related mechanism.

Depth-of-field expansion method based on multidimensional structure and edge-guided correction.

Multi-focus image fusion is a method to extend the depth of field to generate fully focused images. The effective detection of image focusing pixels and the optimization of image regions are the key to it. A method based on multidimensional structure and edge-guided correction (MSEGC) is proposed. The pixel-level focusing evaluation function is redesigned to preserve image details and non-texture regions. Edge-guided decision correction is used to suppress edge artifacts. With public data and semiconductor detection images for verification, the results show that compared with other methods, the objective evaluation is improved by 22-50%, providing better vision.

Cutaneous immune-related adverse events to immune checkpoint inhibitors: from underlying immunological mechanisms to multi-omics prediction.

The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has dramatically altered the landscape of therapy for multiple malignancies, including urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma and gastric cancer. As part of their anti-tumor properties, ICIs can enhance susceptibility to inflammatory side effects known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs), in which the skin is one of the most commonly and rapidly affected organs. Although numerous questions still remain unanswered, multi-omics technologies have shed light into immunological mechanisms, as well as the correlation between ICI-induced activation of immune systems and the incidence of cirAE (cutaneous irAEs). Therefore, we reviewed integrated biological layers of omics studies combined with clinical data for the prediction biomarkers of cirAEs based on skin pathogenesis. Here, we provide an overview of a spectrum of dermatological irAEs, discuss the pathogenesis of this "off-tumor toxicity" during ICI treatment, and summarize recently investigated biomarkers that may have predictive value for cirAEs via multi-omics approach. Finally, we demonstrate the prognostic significance of cirAEs for immune checkpoint blockades.

Gibbs Adsorption and Zener Pinning Enable Mechanically Robust High-Performance Bi2 Te3 -Based Thermoelectric Devices.

Bi2 Te3 -based alloys have great market demand in miniaturized thermoelectric (TE) devices for solid-state refrigeration and power generation. However, their poor mechanical properties increase the fabrication cost and decrease the service durability. Here, this work reports on strengthened mechanical robustness in Bi2 Te3 -based alloys due to thermodynamic Gibbs adsorption and kinetic Zener pinning at grain boundaries enabled by MgB2 decomposition. These effects result in much-refined grain size and twofold enhancement of the compressive strength and Vickers hardness in (Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3 )0.97 (MgB2 )0.03 compared with that of traditional powder-metallurgy-derived Bi0.5 Sb1.5 Te3 . High mechanical properties enable excellent cutting machinability in the MgB2 -added samples, showing no missing corners or cracks. Moreover, adding MgB2 facilitates the simultaneous optimization of electron and phonon transport for enhancing the TE figure of merit (ZT). By further optimizing the Bi/Sb ratio, the sample (Bi0.4 Sb1.6 Te3 )0.97 (MgB2 )0.03 shows a maximum ZT of ≈1.3 at 350 K and an average ZT of 1.1 within 300-473 K. As a consequence, robust TE devices with an energy conversion efficiency of 4.2% at a temperature difference of 215 K are fabricated. This work paves a new way for enhancing the machinability and durability of TE materials, which is especially promising for miniature devices.

Atomic motifs govern the decoration of grain boundaries by interstitial solutes.

Grain boundaries, the two-dimensional defects between differently oriented crystals, tend to preferentially attract solutes for segregation. Solute segregation has a significant effect on the mechanical and transport properties of materials. At the atomic level, however, the interplay of structure and composition of grain boundaries remains elusive, especially with respect to light interstitial solutes like B and C. Here, we use Fe alloyed with B and C to exploit the strong interdependence of interface structure and chemistry via charge-density imaging and atom probe tomography methods. Direct imaging and quantifying of light interstitial solutes at grain boundaries provide insight into decoration tendencies governed by atomic motifs. We find that even a change in the inclination of the grain boundary plane with identical misorientation impacts grain boundary composition and atomic arrangement. Thus, it is the smallest structural hierarchical level, the atomic motifs, that controls the most important chemical properties of the grain boundaries. This insight not only closes a missing link between the structure and chemical composition of such defects but also enables the targeted design and passivation of the chemical state of grain boundaries to free them from their role as entry gates for corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, or mechanical failure.

Effect of Pore Formation on Redox-Driven Phase Transformation.

When solid-state redox-driven phase transformations are associated with mass loss, vacancies are produced that develop into pores. These pores can influence the kinetics of certain redox and phase transformation steps. We investigated the structural and chemical mechanisms in and at pores in a combined experimental-theoretical study, using the reduction of iron oxide by hydrogen as a model system. The redox product (water) accumulates inside the pores and shifts the local equilibrium at the already reduced material back toward reoxidation into cubic Fe_{1-x}O (where x refers to Fe deficiency, space group Fm3[over ¯]m). This effect helps us to understand the sluggish reduction of cubic Fe_{1-x}O by hydrogen, a key process for future sustainable steelmaking.

Interstitial Segregation has the Potential to Mitigate Liquid Metal Embrittlement in Iron.

The embrittlement of metallic alloys by liquid metals leads to catastrophic material failure and severely impacts their structural integrity. The weakening of grain boundaries (GBs) by the ingress of liquid metal and preceding segregation in the solid are thought to promote early fracture. However, the potential of balancing between the segregation of cohesion-enhancing interstitial solutes and embrittling elements inducing GB de-cohesion is not understood. Here, the mechanisms of how boron segregation mitigates the detrimental effects of the prime embrittler, zinc, in a Σ5 [001] tilt GB in α-Fe (4 at.% Al) is unveiled. Zinc forms nanoscale segregation patterns inducing structurally and compositionally complex GB states. Ab initio simulations reveal that boron hinders zinc segregation and compensates for the zinc-induced loss in GB cohesion. The work sheds new light on how interstitial solutes intimately modify GBs, thereby opening pathways to use them as dopants for preventing disastrous material failure.

Tailoring the Plasticity of Topologically Close-Packed Phases via the Crystals' Fundamental Building Blocks.

Brittle topologically close-packed precipitates form in many advanced alloys. Due to their complex structures, little is known about their plasticity. Here, a strategy is presented to understand and tailor the deformability of these complex phases by considering the Nb-Co µ-phase as an archetypal material. The plasticity of the Nb-Co µ-phase is controlled by the Laves phase building block that forms parts of its unit cell. It is found that between the bulk C15-NbCo2 Laves and Nb-Co µ-phases, the interplanar spacing and local stiffness of the Laves phase building block change, leading to a strong reduction in hardness and stiffness, as well as a transition from synchroshear to crystallographic slip. Furthermore, as the composition changes from Nb6 Co7 to Nb7 Co6 , the Co atoms in the triple layer are substituted such that the triple layer of the Laves phase building block becomes a slab of pure Nb, resulting in inhomogeneous changes in elasticity and a transition from crystallographic slip to a glide-and-shuffle mechanism. These findings open opportunities to purposefully tailor the plasticity of these topologically close-packed phases in the bulk by manipulating the interplanar spacing and local shear modulus of the fundamental crystal building blocks at the atomic scale.

Atomistic structures of 〈0001〉 tilt grain boundaries in a textured Mg thin film.

Nanocrystalline Mg was sputter deposited onto an Ar ion etched Si {100} substrate. Despite an ∼6 nm amorphous layer found at the interface, the Mg thin film exhibits a sharp basal-plane texture enabled by surface energy minimization. The columnar grains have abundant 〈0001〉 tilt grain boundaries in between, most of which are symmetric with various misorientation angles. Up to ∼20° tilt angle, they are composed of arrays of equally-spaced edge dislocations. Ga atoms were introduced from focused ion beam milling and found to segregate at grain boundaries and preferentially decorate the dislocation cores. Most symmetric grain boundaries are type-1, whose boundary planes have smaller dihedral angles with {21̄1̄0} rather than {101̄0}. Atomistic simulations further demonstrate that type-2 grain boundaries, having boundary planes at smaller dihedral angles with {101̄0}, are composed of denser dislocation arrays and hence have higher formation energy than their type-1 counterparts. The finding correlates well with the dominance of type-1 grain boundaries observed in the Mg thin film.

Identification of key genes and pathway related to chemoresistance of small cell lung cancer through an integrative bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the most malignant of all the lung cancer subtypes, is characterized by drug resistance. This study sought to explore the key genes and pathways associated with the chemoresistance of SCLC. Methods: The drug sensitivity of chemosensitive and chemoresistance SCLC cell lines was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. The total RNA from chemosensitive cell line H69 and chemoresistance cell line H69AR cells was extracted and subjected to messenger RNA (mRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) microarray analyses. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were screened out with a threshold of a |log fold change | ≥1 and an adjusted P value <0.05. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and hub genes were screened out. A lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network was also constructed. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes, Genomes enrichment analyses and Cis-regulatory element analyses were conducted on the DEGs and the top 10 upregulated DEL-co-expressed DEGs. The expression of the key genes was further analyzed in the GSE149507 data set and validated in H69/H69AR and H446/H446DDP cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: The microarray results showed that a total of 609 mRNAs and 394 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in the chemoresistant SCLC cells. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was enriched among the DEGs, the top 10 upregulated DEL-co-expressed DEGs, and the NCRNA00173-co-expressed DEGs, which included IGF1, INS, WNT6, WNT11, WNT2B, and SESN2. IGF1, WNT2B, and SESN2 were downregulated, and WNT11 was upregulated in the SCLC tumor tissues in the GSE149507 data set. Further, IGF1, WNT6, WNT11, and WNT2B were lowlier expressed and SESN2 and NCRNA00173 were more highly expressed in the chemoresistant cells than sensitive cells. Conclusions: The top 10 upregulated DELs containing NCRNA00173 may be involved in the regulation of drug resistance in SCLC. These DELs may regulate the genes related to the mTOR signaling pathway. These genes may also be biomarkers and potential targets for the treatment of SCLC.

Understanding the Degradation of a Model Si Anode in a Li-Ion Battery at the Atomic Scale.

To advance the understanding of the degradation of the liquid electrolyte and Si electrode, and their interface, we exploit the latest developments in cryo-atom probe tomography. We evidence Si anode corrosion from the decomposition of the Li salt before charge-discharge cycles even begin. Volume shrinkage during delithiation leads to the development of nanograins from recrystallization in regions left amorphous by the lithiation. The newly created grain boundaries facilitate pulverization of nanoscale Si fragments, and one is found floating in the electrolyte. P is segregated to these grain boundaries, which confirms the decomposition of the electrolyte. As structural defects are bound to assist the nucleation of Li-rich phases in subsequent lithiations and accelerate the electrolyte's decomposition, these insights into the developed nanoscale microstructure interacting with the electrolyte contribute to understanding the self-catalyzed/accelerated degradation Si anodes and can inform new battery designs unaffected by these life-limiting factors.

Fast autofocusing based on pixel difference with the Tanimoto coefficient between images.

Focusing objects accurately over short time scales is an essential and nontrivial task for a variety of microscopy applications. In this Letter, an autofocusing algorithm using pixel difference with the Tanimoto coefficient (PDTC) is described to predict the focus. Our method can robustly distinguish differences in clarity among datasets. The generated auto-focusing curves have extremely high sensitivity. A dataset of a defocused stack acquired by an Olympus microscope demonstrates the feasibility of our technique. This work can be applied in full-color microscopic imaging systems and is also valid for single-color imaging.