Search

This study presents an analysis of the atmospheric column nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over China during 2008–2017. Measurements of NO2 columns obtained from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) are used to investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics of NO2. Temporal and spatial distributions of NO2 obtained from OMI over China from 2008 to 2017 are presented, and annual changes and trends in the seasonal cycle are shown. The annual mean NO2 columns are found to decrease 13% from 2008 to 2017. NO2 shows significant cyclical seasonal characteristics over China, with maximum values in winter and minimum in summer. In addition, the spatial distribution is unbalanced, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) region, the Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region are found to be highly polluted areas, the NO2 columns in these regions have been declining by 17.6%, 24.5% and 16.7% during 2008–2017 respectively. Yearly variations in the NO2 columns over the four major economic plates are prominent, and there is a maximum in the eastern region and a minimum in the western region during the past decade, these four regions show a downward trend in recent years. Three areas and six groups are important pollution regions, and the NO2 columns over these regions also show decrease trend.

With the use of high-resolution chest imaging system and lung cancer screening program, patients with multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) are becoming a growing population in clinical practice worldwide. The diagnostic criteria for MPLCs has been established and modified by three major lung cancer research institutes. However, due to the fact that the differential diagnosis between MPLCs and a recurrence, metastatic, or satellite lesion arising from the original lesion remains ambiguous and confusing, there is still insufficient evidence to support a uniform guideline. Newly developed molecular and genomic methods have the potential to better define the relationship among multiple lesions and bring the possibility of targeted therapy. Surgical resection remains the first choice for the treatment of MPLCs and detailed strategy should be carefully planned taking characteristics of the tumor and status of patients into consideration. For those who are intolerant to surgery, a new technology called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is now an optional therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, multiple GGOs are unique MPLCs that need special attentions in the clinical practice.

This article describes the preparation of ultracold heteronuclear polar excited NaCs molecules through photoassociation in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. Ten resonant positions are observed below the Na (3S1/2) + Cs (6P1/2) dissociation limit using trap-loss spectroscopy based on a highly sensitive modulation technique. We deduce the long-range molecular coefficients by fitting an improved LeRoy–Bernstein formula to our experimental data using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm implemented in Mathematica software, and derive the empirical potential energy curve in the long-range region; we also verify the application of the improved LeRoy–Bernstein formula to the ultracold NaCs molecule.

We develop a research of spin currents in a 23Na spinor Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) by applying a magnetic field gradient. The spin current is successfully induced by the spin-dependent force arising from the magnetic field gradient. The dynamics of the spin components under the magnetic force is investigated. The study is promising to be extended to produce a longer spin-coherence and to enhance the sensitivity of the spin-mixing interferometry in a spinor BEC.

Casting infiltration technology was used to fabricate a high-chromium coating on the surface of parent ZG45 steel with different Ni content. SEM, EDS analysis, CALPHAD-type calculations, Rockwell hardness test and impact wear test were utilized to investigate the influence of Ni on the microstructure, hardness and impact wear resistance performance. The as-cast microstructure of the casting infiltration coatings with Ni content less than 2.82 wt.% was a pearlite matrix with reticular eutectic M7C3 carbide, while the matrix of the coatings with 5.53 wt.% Ni showed austenite. The content of Ni had little effect on both the solidification behavior and the amount of eutectic M7C3. After heat treatment, the transformation of the matrix to martensite occurred, and the Rockwell hardness significantly increased. The proportion of the retained austenite in the casting infiltration coatings increased from 6.4 vol.% to 27.5 vol.% with increasing Ni content, resulting in a decrease in the hardness. Due to a better balance of the hardness and toughness, the casting infiltration coating with 1.53 wt.% Ni showed the best impact wear resistance performance.

Background We characterized the clinical features, radiographic characteristics, and response to treatment of immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological profiles of patients diagnosed with PC who received surgical resection between May 2015 and November 2020 in a tertiary referral center. Results A total of 21 males and 18 females were included in the study. 23 patients were immunocompetent and 20 out of the 39 were asymptomatic. Immunocompetent patients were diagnosed with PC at a younger age than immunocompromised patients (48.9 vs 57.1 years, P = 0.02). Single nodule pattern was the most frequent lesion pattern (33 out of 39, 84.6%) and right upper lobe was the most common site of location (15 out of 47, 31.9%). The majority of lesions were located peripherally (38 out of 47, 80.9%) and most lesions were 1–2 cm in diameter (30 out of 47, 63.8%). Cavitation was more likely to occur in immunocompromised patients (5 out of 11, 45.5%) than in immunocompetent patients (6 out of 36, 16.7%) (P = 0.04) and there was complete resolution of PC in all patients treated with anti-fungal therapy. Conclusions Immunocompetent patients were diagnosed with PC at a younger age than immunocompromised patients. Single nodule pattern was the most frequent lesion pattern in PC patients. Cavitation was more likely to occur in immunocompromised patients than in immunocompetent patients.

The Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of

Bose–Einstein condensates (BEC) of sodium atoms are transferred into one-dimensional (1D) optical lattice potentials, formed by two laser beams with a wavelength of 1064 nm, in a shallow optical trap. The phase coherence of the condensate in the lattice potential is studied by changing the lattice depth. A qualitative change in behavior of the BEC is observed at a lattice depth of ∼ 13.7 E r, where the quantum gas undergoes a transition from a superfluid state to a state that lacks well-to-well phase coherence.

Objective. The efficacy of antidepressant drugs combined with psychotherapy is controversial; hence, this meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of the combination therapy. Methods. Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase, Chinese databases CNKI, and WanFang Data. We included the literature on the comparison of the sertraline combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and each treatment alone for adolescent depression published in 2000-2021. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata16.0 software. Results. A total of 421 relevant articles were retrieved, and 14 studies were finally included. In comparison with the control group (sertraline), sertraline combined with CBT achieved higher response rate ( OR = 5.07 , 95% CI: 3.00, 8.58) and lower incidence of adverse reactions ( OR = 0.43 , 95% CI: 0.24, 0.75). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in depression score, anxiety score, and symptom self-rating scale score between the two groups. After treatment, depression score ( SMD = − 2.79 , 95% CI: -3.64, -1.94), anxiety score ( SMD = − 1.22 , 95% CI: -1.96, -0.47), and symptom self-rating scale score ( SMD = − 1.73 , 95% CI: -3.19, -0.27) were significantly lower in the combined treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion. Although the number of comparative trials is small, this study shows that sertraline is effective for adolescent depression, but sertraline combined with CBT is more effective. The latter can significantly reduce the incidence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and adverse reactions in patients. Therefore, this combination therapy is recommended for the clinical treatment of adolescent depression.

Background: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital pulmonary pulmonary malformation. In this study, we reported a case of PS treated with aberrant feeding artery mutilation in our center.Case Presentation: A 29 –year-old female patient presented to our center in March 2020 due to repeated hemoptysis for more than 15 years, she received CTA examination which showed an aberrant feeding artery from the thoracic aorta into the left lower lobe of the lung and was therefore diagnosed with left lower lung pulmonary sequestration. Given that she complained with no infectious symptoms, she was treated with thoracoscopic feeding artery mutilation in June 2020 . She and experienced an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged 2 days postoperatively. On the postoperative follow-up of 4 months, thise patient’s physical condition was excellent and free of any symptoms such as hemoptysis or cough.Conclusion: Surgery is still the first choose for the treatment of PS. When pulmonary lesion is small-sized,for PS patients with non-infectious symptoms, aberrant feeding artery mutilation can be attempted as an alternative to intravascular technology for the treatment of PS. Future large studies are required to further verify its long-term efficacy and scope of application.

Background: pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor. The prognosis of this very infrequent disease remains poor,and surgical resection is important for obtaining the best outcome.Case Presentation: A 51-year-old male patient presented to our clinic due to the finding of the isolated lung mass in the left lower lobe of the lung. Preoperative pulmonary artery computed tomographic angiography scans showed a mass with the in the left pulmonary artery and an isolated mass in the left dorsal segment of the lung (RS6).Under extracorporeal circulation the left pneumonectomy was performed, the surgical resection margins were confirmed to be tumor-free on frozen section and all lymph nodes were free of tumor. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) indicated the diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomaConclusion: This case report describes a PAS which was successfully resected with pneumonectomy and concludes that biopsy may play a limited role in confirming the pathological type and pneumonectomy should be considered in the surgical treatment of PAS.

Background Angioleiomyoma of the pulmonary artery is rare in the literature and few studies have been reported. Here we present a rare case of angioleiomyoma arising from the pulmonary artery in a young patient. Case presentation A 27-year-old male patient presented to our clinic due to the incidental finding of a nodule in the right lower lobe of the lung, which was unchanged from the prior year. Preoperative CT scans showed a well-demarcated nodule of soft tissue density penetrated by the basal branch of the right anterior basilar artery (RA8b). Single-port video-assisted RS8 segmentectomy was performed under the guidance of preoperative 3-dimensional reconstruction for histologic confirmation of the tumour. The tumour appeared as a solid tumour of a tube-like structure with vascular endothelium, composed of spindle-shaped smooth muscle cells lacking nuclear atypia and homogenous red-dye substances. The spindle cells were positive for immunostaining for smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin and Ki-67 and were negative for immunostaining for Dog-1, HMB45, and Melan-A. A pathological diagnosis of primary angioleiomyoma of the pulmonary artery was finally made. Conclusions This report is a reminder for thoracic surgeons that angioleiomyoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of lung neoplasms, especially for the mass of soft tissue density penetrated by pulmonary blood vessels shown by CT. Awareness of this rare entity should potentially prevent underdiagnosis and improper surgical treatment.

Increasing penetration rate of renewable energy in distribution network (DN) require effective measure for self-balancing. Considers the profit of multi investment entities with distributed energy resources (DERs) in a district DN, this paper proposed an incentive-based optimal operation method. This is a win-win situation for both the utility grid and the investors of DERs. On the one hand, the demand fluctuation and reverse power flow is reduced to delay the investment of gird expansion; the other part is the multi investment entities can benefit from the coordinated response process. The case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Exploring the different mechanisms involved in the application of actinide is necessary to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of actinide science. In this study, the mechanisms of gas-phase Np and Pu atoms dissociating NH3 molecules forming Neptunimine and Plutonimine complexes were systematically investigated using different approaches of density functional theory. A new dehydrogenation channel was discovered. The results reveal that the intermediates HAn-NH2 are the lowest energy in the overall reaction, and the direct planar evolution dehydrogenations are the lowest energy reaction path. Besides, the mechanism of the initial complexation process is discussed on the electron localization function, atoms-in-molecules, atomic dipole moment corrected Hirshfeld atomic charges, and electron density difference analysis. The results indicate that An-N in complex I exhibits a very weak covalent interaction, and it comes down to pulling the original dipole moment of the NH3 molecule and stretched between An atom and three H atoms. Graphical abstract.

The light-induced frequency shift (LIFS) of ultracold molecular ro-vibrational levels originates from the strong coupling of the atomic-scattering state and the bound-molecular state. In this paper, we present our experimental determination of the LIFSs of the lowest vibrational levels (ν = 0, 1) in the purely long-range $$0_g^-$$ state of ultracold cesium molecules. A high-resolution double photoassociation spectroscopy is developed, which serves as frequency ruler to measure the frequency shifts of the lowest molecular levels for Cs2. The experimental results are qualitatively consistent with the theoretical expectations.

Background: There are several techniques for robotic-assisted pulmonary resection, depending on the number and position of ports and utility incisions. We developed a technique for three-incision robotic- assisted pulmonary resection, and here we reported our initial results. Methods: Three-incision pulmonary resection with the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was attempted in 153 patients. Robotic instruments were used for individual dissection of the hilar structures through two thoracoscopic ports and a 3-cm utility incision without rib spreading. Data on patient characteristics and perioperative results were prospectively collected. Results: Between December 2016 and December 2018, a single surgeon performed three-incision robotic- assisted pulmonary resection on 153 consecutive patients in the Thoracic Surgery Department of the Second Xiangya Hospital. There was no emergent conversion to thoracotomy. Median operative time was 146.84 minutes (range, 40–320 minutes), and the median estimated blood loss was 62.70 mL (range, 5–200 mL). The mean postoperative days before chest tubes were removed was 3.91 (range, 2–18), and the mean postoperative days before patients were discharged was 5.34 (range, 2–20). The median number of lymph node stations dissected was 5 (range, 1–9). The mean number of nodes resected was 12 (range, 1–35), and postoperative complications were observed in 12 patients (7.84%). Conclusions: Three-incision robotic-assisted pulmonary resection is practicable, safe, and ideal for novices experienced in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) surgery. It also appears to be oncologically acceptable for lung cancer; however, more studies on a large population are necessary to confirm these conclusions.

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of populations at finer spatial scales is of significant value and fundamental to many applications such as environmental change, urbanization, regional planning, public health, and disaster management. However, detailed assessment of the population distribution data of countries that have large populations (such as China) and significant variation in distribution requires improved data processing methods and spatialization models. This paper described the construction of a novel population spatialization method by combining land use/cover data and night-light data. Based on the analysis of data characteristics, the method used partial correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression to improve the distribution accuracy and reduce regional errors. China's census data for the years 1990, 2000, and 2010 were assessed. The results showed that the method was better at population spatialization than methods that use only night-light data or land use/cover data and global linear regression. Evaluation of overall accuracies revealed that the coefficient of correlation R-square was >0.90 and increased by >0.13 in the years 1990, 2000, and 2010. Moreover, the local R-square of over 90% of the samples (counties) was higher than the adjusted R-square of the general linear regression model. Furthermore, the gridded population density datasets obtained by this method can be used to analyse spatial-temporal patterns of population density and provide population distribution information with increased accuracy and precision compared to conventional models.

BackgroundDiagnosing and treating patients with multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) bring challenges to the clinic, and the preliminary evidence has revealed unsatisfying outcomes after targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Therefore, we surveyed genomic profiles of MPLCs and their possible associations with tumor mutation burden (TMB), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and the immune cell infiltration landscape.Materials and methodsA total of 112 patients with MPLCs with surgically resected 294 tumors were eligible, and 255 tumors were sequenced using a 1021-gene panel. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate the levels of PD-L1 and the density of CD3+/CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and CD68+/CD163+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) at the central tumor and invasive margin, and immunotypes were generated based on those variables.ResultsMPLCs often occur simultaneously in non-smoker women younger than 60 years and manifest as ground-glass opacities, adenocarcinoma, and stage I lung lesions. The most frequently mutated genes in the 255 tumors were EGFR (56%), ERBB2 (12%), TP53 (12%), BRAF (11%), RBM10 (11%), and KRAS (9%). We found 87 (77.7%) patients with diverse genomic profiles, and 61 (54.5%) who shared at least one putative driver gene between different tumors presented more aggressive tumors. The median TMB was 1.92 mutations/Mb, and high-TMB (≥3) lesions often harbored EGFRL858R/KRASG12C/RBM10/TP53/LRP1B mutations or wild-type ERBB2. Only 8.1% of patients and 3.9% of lesions were positive for PD-L1 on tumor cells, and this positivity was more frequent in LRP1B/TP53-mutant tumors. EGFRL858R/RBM10/TP53 mutations were positively associated with specific immune cells and an inflamed immunotype, but ERBB2 mutations were negatively correlated. TMB, CD3+TILs, and CD68+/CD163+ TAMs presented with significant heterogeneity among paired tumors (all kappa ConclusionMPLCs are driven by different molecular events and often exhibit low TMB, low PD-L1, and a heterogeneous immune infiltration landscape. Specific genomic profiles are associated with TMB and the tumor immune microenvironmental landscape in MPLCs. Our findings can help to guide MPLCs diagnoses and to identify patient populations that may benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

We present experimental and theoretical results on the measurements of the oscillation frequency in a dipole trap based on the spin current in a sodium spinor Bose–Einstein condensate. The spin current is induced under different magnetic field intensities. The oscillation of the spin components in the dipole trap is strongly enhanced by a radio frequency pulse. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results demonstrate that this method can be used to efficiently measure the trap frequencies. Since this mechanism is independent of atomic species, this study is promising to be extended to rubidium and other optical-trappable quantum gases.

Herein, we report on the experimental observations and a quantitative determination of the laser-induced frequency shift (LIFS) in the photoassociation (PA) spectra of spinor Bose-Einstein condensate of sodium. Our investigations revealed a nonlinear dependence of the LIFS on the intensity of PA laser. By developing a model within the quadratic Stark effect, we simulate the experimental results via a theoretical model that confirms the former. The experimental observations and the theoretical analysis can further improve the accuracy of investigations on important molecular properties and on preparation of specific molecular states, with possible applications in various key fields.

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been demonstrated to be significantly associated with the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying mechanism of miR-98 in mediating the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells remains obscure. In this study, we found that miR-98 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to nontumor lung tissues. Downregulation of miR-98 was significantly associated with poor differentiation and advanced clinical stage. Restoration of miR-98 expression significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. SALL4 was identified as a target gene of miR-98, and the protein expression of SALL4 was negatively regulated by miR-98 in NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. Overexpression of SALL4 promoted A549 and H1229 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reversed the suppressive effects of miR-98 on the malignant phenotypes of A549 and H1229 cells. Moreover, SALL4 was found to be significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to the nontumor lung tissues. We then observed an inverse correlation between the miR-98 and SALL4 levels in NSCLC tissues. In vivo study revealed that miR-98 overexpression suppressed NSCLC growth. In summary, we demonstrate that miR-98 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the protein expression of its target gene SALL4. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of the miR-98/SALL4 axis in NSCLC.

In this work, a colorimetric and fluorescent dual mode sensor based on lysosome-targeted CDs has been desirably implemented to identify Fe3+ fluctuations in vitro and in vivo. By simple one-pot hydrothermal carbonization of dried field mint, yellow-fluorescent CDs were directly fabricated without the assistance of other reagents and hold exceptional stability, superior biocompatibility as well as ultra-low cytotoxicity. Results indicated that as-prepared CDs can provide a rapid, reliable, and highly selective recognition of Fe3+ with a linear range of 0 μM–400 μM and a detection limit of 0.037 μM. Impressively, it was found that as-developed CDs can successfully target lysosome with high colocalization coefficient (0.85) and responds to fluctuations of Fe3+ in living cells. Further, acquired CDs was ingeniously devoted to Escherichia coli imaging. Besides, obtained CDs was eventually utilized to track the variation of Fe3+ in vivo system. A preliminary research expresses that as-synthesized CDs can function as an effective tool to detect Fe3+ in vitro and in vivo and thus indicates the promising applicability for disease detection in physiology and pathology in the future.

Photoassociation of ultracold Cs atoms is reported in magneto-optical trap with the modulation technique. Trap loss spectroscopy of the ultracold Cs2 molecules has been obtained experimentally. Spectroscopy data are expended to the red detuned of 70 cm-1 below the 6S1/2+6P1/2 dissociation limit. Several new low lying vibrational levels belongs to the 0u+ and 1g states are identified and analyzed. The long range molecular coefficients C3 for the 0u+ and 1g states are obtained, and the corresponding empirical potential curves are derived with the spectroscopy data.

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been demonstrated to be significantly associated with the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying mechanism of miR-98 in mediating the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells remains obscure. In this study, we found that miR-98 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to nontumor lung tissues. Downregulation of miR-98 was significantly associated with poor differentiation and advanced clinical stage. Restoration of miR-98 expression significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. SALL4 was identified as a target gene of miR-98, and the protein expression of SALL4 was negatively regulated by miR-98 in NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. Overexpression of SALL4 promoted A549 and H1229 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reversed the suppressive effects of miR-98 on the malignant phenotypes of A549 and H1229 cells. Moreover, SALL4 was found to be significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to the nontumor lung tissues. We then observed an inverse correlation between the miR-98 and SALL4 levels in NSCLC tissues. In vivo study revealed that miR-98 overexpression suppressed NSCLC growth. In summary, we demonstrate that miR-98 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the protein expression of its target gene SALL4. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of the miR-98/SALL4 axis in NSCLC.

We report an accurate experimental determination of rotational constants of the lowest vibrational levels in the purely long-range state of ultracold cesium molecules (Cs 2 ). We engineer a precise reference of the frequency difference through double photoassociation spectroscopy (PAS). The PAS for the lowest vibrational levels, v=0–3, has been obtained with an enhanced sensitivity and accuracy, according to which the binding energies have been corrected. As deduced from the reference, the frequency intervals between neighboring rotational levels are fitted to a non-rigid rotor model, thus the rotational constants are precisely obtained. The experimental results show good agreement with theoretical expectations.

The role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status testing in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) remains controversial. Evidence of the effectiveness of osimertinib in SqCC with EGFR T790M mutation is limited. Here, we describe a hitherto unreported case of a stage III SqCC patient with compound mutation of EGFR exon 19 deletion (19Del) and T790M mutation. Pathological complete tumor response was achieved after treatment with osimertinib. We suggest that EGFR mutation testing should be performed in Asian patients who have not been definitively diagnosed with SqCC due to small lung biopsy samples. Osimertinib has shown good efficacy in SqCC harboring a “primary” resistance mechanism (EGFR T790M). Key points An unreported case of stage III squamous cell carcinoma with synchronous occurrence of EGFR exon 19 deletion (19Del) and T790M mutation. Complete tumor response was achieved after treatment with osimertinib. EGFR mutation testing should be performed in Asian patients who are not definitively diagnosed with SqCC due to small lung biopsy samples. Osimertinib has shown good efficacy in SqCC harboring a “primary” resistance mechanism (EGFR T790M).

We report new observations of the hyperfine structure in three ro-vibrational levels of the b

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is a strong metabolism-dependent chemoattractant for the plant beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas sp. UW4. It is unknown whether enhancing the metabolic rate of ACC can intensify the chemotaxis activity towards ACC and rhizocompetence. In this study, we selected four promoters to transcribe the UW4 ACC deaminase (AcdS) gene in the UW4 ΔAcdS mutant. PA is the UW4 AcdS gene promoter, PB20, PB10 and PB1 are synthetic promoters. The order of the AcdS gene expression level and AcdS activity of the four strains harboring the promoters were PB20 > PA > PB10 > PB1. Interestingly, the AcdS activity of the four strains and their parent strain UW4 was significantly positively correlated with their chemotactic activity towards ACC, rhizosphere colonization, roots elongation and dry weight promotion. The results released that enhancing the AcdS activity of PGPRenable them to achieve strong chemotactic responses to ACC, rhizocompetence and plant growth promotion.

Purpose We had previously developed highly sensitive DNA methylation detection to diagnose lung cancer in patients with pulmonary nodules. To validate this approach and determine clinical utility in Chinese patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy for early stage lung cancer in plasma samples. Experimental design Patients with CT-detected small lung nodules (diameter ≤ 3.0 cm) were included. Cases (n = 163) had staged IA or IB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while controls (n = 83) had non-cancerous lesions. Promoter methylation of eight lung cancer-specific genes (CDO1, TAC1, SOX17, HOXA7, HOXA9, GATA4, GATA5, and PAX5) was detected using nanoparticle-based DNA extraction (MOB) followed by qMSP. Results Methylation detection for CDO1, TAC1, SOX17, and HOXA7 in plasma was significantly higher in cases compared with the benign group (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for lung cancer diagnosis using individual gene was 41–69% and 49–82%. A three-gene combination of the best individual genes has sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 71%, with area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.88, (95% CI 0.84–0.93). Furthermore, three-gene combinations detected even the smallest lung nodules, with the combination of CDO1, SOX17, and HOXA7 having the overall best performance, while the combination of CDO1, TAC1, and SOX17 was best in tumor sizes less than 1.0 cm. Conclusions Using modified MOB-qMSP, high sensitivity and specificity, for the detection of circulating tumor DNA was obtained for early stage NSCLC. This strategy has great potential to identify patients at high risk and improve the diagnosis of lung cancer at an earlier stage. Graphical Abstract

The distribution network is an important part of the power grid and bears an important responsibility for supplying power to end users. In the investment and planning of distribution network, economy and reliability are always opposite. In order to provide a basis for rapid primary selection of the network structure in the future distribution network investment and planning process, this paper makes a reasonable evaluation of several typical distribution network structures. Firstly, several typical distribution network structures are introduced, including single radiation network, single-ring network, double-ring network and petal network. Then, the relevant indexes for evaluating the network structure, the reliability and the economics are introduced respectively, including the typical tech-economic evaluation indexes such as network transfer capability (TC), average service availability index (ASAI) and unit load cost, etc. Finally, based on these indexes, several network structures are compared and analyzed. The economic and reliability changes of various networks under different load conditions are evaluated. Finally, the applicable range of various networks is obtained based on the results of sensitivity analysis.

Despite the rapid progress which has been made in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemotherapeutics, recurrence of liver cancer still remains a barrier to achieve satisfying prognosis. Herein, we aimed to decipher the role of berberine (BER) in chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC repopulation via developing a nanocarrier co-deliveries doxorubicin (DOX) and BER to achieve a synergic effect in HCC treatment. The underlying fact of chemotherapy that promotes HCC repopulation was firstly examined and corroborated by clinical samples and murine repopulation model. Then, hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated Janus nanocarrier (HA-MSN@DB) was developed to load DOX and BER simultaneously. The HCC targeting efficiency, pH-controlled drug-release and anti-cancer property of HA-MSN@DB were assessed in CD44-overexpressed HCCs and normal liver cells. Magnet resonance imaging, bio-distribution, biocompatibility, tumor and recurrence inhibition studies were performed in H22 tumor-bearing mice. BER significantly reduced doxorubicin (DOX)-triggered HCC repopulation in vitro and in vivo through inhibiting Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway. The delivery of HA-MSN@DB into HCCs through CD44 receptor-mediated targeting effect was demonstrated. The controlled release of DOX and BER in response to acidic tumor microenvironment was validated. Importantly, HA-MSN@DB drastically enhanced the antitumor activity of DOX and suppressed DOX-exacerbated HCC repopulation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HA-MSN@DB exhibited enhanced tumor accumulation and biocompatibility. Our findings revealed the pivotal role of BER in overcoming chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC repopulation through Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway, thereby providing a promising and stable nanocarrier integrating DOX and BER for effective HCC chemotherapy without repopulation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this work, we have first demonstrated the fact that berberine (Ber) reduces chemotherapy-exacerbated HCC recurrence and studied its mechanism by the aid of a doxorubicin-induced mice HCC relapse model. We then developed a promising strategy that simultaneously inhibits HCC and its recurrence with an HCC-targeted co-delivery nanocarrier HA-MSN@DB and revealed that such an inhibition was related with the suppression of Caspase-3-iPLA2-COX-2 pathway by berberine.