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A key function of SUMOylation is the coordinated modification of numerous proteins to optimize plant growth and resistance to environmental stress. Plant cuticular wax is deposited on the surface of primary plant organs to form a barrier that provides protection against changes in terrestrial environments. Many recent studies have examined cuticular wax biosynthetic pathways and regulation. However, whether SUMOylation is involved in the regulation of cuticle wax deposition at the posttranslational level remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase, SAP AND MIZ1 DOMAIN CONTAINING LIGASE1 (MdSIZ1), regulates wax accumulation and cuticle permeability in apple (Malus domestica Borkh), SUMO E2 CONJUGATING ENZYME 1(MdSCE1) physically interacts with MdMYB30, a transcription factor involved in the regulation of cuticle wax accumulation. MdSIZ1 mediates the SUMOylation and accumulation of MdMYB30 by inhibiting its degradation through the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, MdMYB30 directly binds to the β-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE 1 (MdKCS1) promoter to activate its expression and promote wax biosynthesis. These findings indicate that the MdSIZ1–MdMYB30–MdKCS1 module positively regulates cuticular wax biosynthesis in apples. Overall, the findings of our study provide insights into the regulation pathways involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis.

Epidermal waxes are part of the outermost hydrophobic structures of apples and play a significant role in enhancing apple resistance and improving fruit quality. The biosynthetic precursors of epidermal waxes are very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), which are made into different wax components through various wax synthesis pathways. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the AtLACS1 protein can activate the alkane synthesis pathway to produce very long-chain acyl CoAs (VLC-acyl-CoAs), which provide substrates for wax synthesis, from VLCFAs. The apple protein MdLACS1, encoded by the MdLACS1 gene, belongs to the AMP-binding superfamily and has long-chain acyl coenzyme A synthase activity, but its function in apple remains unclear. Here, we identified MdLACS1 in apple (Malus × domestica) and analyzed its function. Our results suggest that MdLACS1 promotes wax synthesis and improves biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, which were directly or indirectly dependent on wax. Our study further refines the molecular mechanism of wax biosynthesis in apples and elucidates the physiological function of wax in resistance to external stresses. These findings provide candidate genes for the synergistic enhancement of apple fruit quality and stress tolerance.

Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-mediated post-translational protein modification is widely conserved among eukaryotes. SUMOylation refers to the covalent attachment of SUMO to target proteins that alters their function, location, and protein-protein interactions when plants are under abiotic stress. We identified 37 genes in the apple genome that encoded members of the SUMOylation pathway. In addition, RNA-Seq data shows their expression levels between different tissues. We can find that there are mainly expressed genes between each component to ensure that the entire pathway works in the plant. We found that the expression levels of 12 genes were significantly changed under NaCl and ABA treatment through qRT-PCR. MdSIZ1a strongly expression responded to NaCl and ABA treatment. Subsequently, MdSIZ1a was cloned and transformed into apple callus, further verifying the important role of the SUMOylation pathway under stress conditions. The interaction between MdSIZ1a and MdSCEa was verified by yeast two-hybrid, confirming that MdSIZ1a acts as bridge enzyme on MdSCEa and target substrates. Finally, we predicted and analyzed the functional interaction network of E3 ligase to shed light on protein interactions and gene regulatory networks associated with DNA damage repair under abiotic stress in apples.

Jasmonic acid (JA) induces chlorophyll degradation and leaf senescence. B-box (BBX) proteins play important roles in the modulation of leaf senescence, but the molecular mechanism of BBX protein-mediated leaf senescence remains to be further studied. Here, we identified the BBX protein MdBBX37 as a positive regulator of JA-induced leaf senescence in Malus domestica (apple). Further studies showed that MdBBX37 interacted with the senescence regulatory protein MdbHLH93 to enhance its transcriptional activation on the senescence-associated gene MdSAG18, thereby promoting leaf senescence. Moreover, the JA signaling repressor MdJAZ2 interacted with MdBBX37 and interfered with the interaction between MdBBX37 and MdbHLH93, thereby negatively mediating MdBBX37-promoted leaf senescence. In addition, the E3 ubiquitin ligase MdSINA3 delayed MdBBX37-promoted leaf senescence through targeting MdBBX37 for degradation. The MdJAZ2-MdBBX37-MdbHLH93-MdSAG18 and MdSINA3-MdBBX37 modules realized the precise modulation of JA on leaf senescence. In parallel, our data demonstrate that MdBBX37 was involved in abscisic acid (ABA)- and ethylene-mediated leaf senescence through interacting with the ABA signaling regulatory protein MdABI5 and ethylene signaling regulatory protein MdEIL1, respectively. Taken together, our results not only reveal the role of MdBBX37 as an integration node in JA-, ABA- and ethylene-mediated leaf senescence, but also provide new insights into the post-translational modification of BBX proteins.

Post-translational modification of proteins mediated by SIZ1, a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase, regulates multiple biological processes in plants. However, its role in the regulation of lateral root formation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the apple SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1 promotes lateral root formation. Using a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system, the auxin response factor MdARF8 was screened out as a protein-protein interaction partner of the SUMO-conjugating E2 enzyme MdSCE1, indicating that MdARF8 may be a substrate for MdSIZ1. The interaction between MdARF8 and MdSCE1 was confirmed by pull-down, Y2H and Co-immunoprecipitation assays. MdSIZ1 enhanced the conjugating enzyme activity of MdSCE1 to form a MdSCE1-MdSIZ1-MdARF8 complex, thereby facilitating SUMO modification. We identified two arginine substitution mutations at K342 and K380 in MdARF8 that blocked MdSIZ1-mediated SUMOylation, indicating that K342 and K380 are the principal SUMOylation sites of the MdARF8 protein. Moreover, MdARF8 promoted lateral root formation in transgenic apple plants, and the phenotype of reduced lateral roots in the Arabidopsis siz1-2 mutant was restored in siz1-2/MdARF8 complementary plants. Our findings reveal an important role for sumoylation in the regulation of lateral root formation in plants.

Field-effect solar cells (FESCs) are increasingly attractive for 2-D heterojunction solar cells and especially for gate-tunable Schottky-junction solar cells. A prerequisite for applying FESCs is that the gate-leakage (GL) power must be far less than the output power. However, the conduction mechanism of the GL current in a FESC has yet to be described clearly, thereby leading to excessive gate power consumption. In this work, the GL current mechanisms for a silicon FESC are extracted and analyzed using temperature-dependent current–voltage measurements under dark and illuminated conditions. It shows that the GL current for a FESC in the dark is dominated by both temperature-dependent Poole–Frenkel (P–F) emission and hopping conduction, whereas, under illumination changes to the temperature-independent space-charge-limited (SCL) current. Furthermore, whether the incident light power of 62.5, 100, or 125 mW/cm2 is used, or the gate dielectric of SiO2 is replaced by HfO2, the dominant GL current mechanism is consistent. Finally, the trap energy level is approximately calculated as 0.38–0.72 eV based on a P–F emission analysis; the mean trap spacing of 0.01–0.18 nm and the activation energy of approximately 0.02 and 0.05 eV are extracted by a hopping conduction analysis. Meanwhile, a rigorous SCL conduction analysis provides a carrier mobility of 1.4 × 10−8 cm2·V−1·s−1 in SiO2 and 5.3 × 10−8 cm2·V−1·s−1 in HfO2.

Apple cuticular wax can protect plants from environmental stress, determine fruit luster and improve postharvest fruit storage quality. In recent years, dry weather, soil salinization and adverse environmental conditions have led to declines in apple fruit quality. However, few studies have reported the molecular mechanisms of apple cuticular wax biosynthesis. In this study, we identified a long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase MdLACS2 gene from apple. The MdLACS2 protein contained an AMP-binding domain and demonstrated long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase activity. MdLACS2 transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited reductions in epidermal permeability and water loss; change in the expression of genes related to cuticular wax biosynthesis, transport and transcriptional regulation; and differences in the composition and ultrastructure of cuticular wax. Moreover, the accumulation of cuticular wax enhanced the resistance of MdLACS2 transgenic plants to drought and salt stress. The main protein functional interaction networks of LACS2 were predicted, revealing a preliminary molecular regulation pathway for MdLACS2-mediated wax biosynthesis in apple. Our study provides candidate genes for breeding apple varieties and rootstocks with better fruit quality and higher stress resistance.

Objective: To assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy of ferruginol on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) stimulated ulcerative colitis mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced in C57BL/6J mice by administering 2% of DSS through drinking water for 7 d. The mice in the treatment group were treated with DAA+50 mg/kg/day ferruginol orally. In the positive control group, sulfasalazine (50 mg/kg/day) was used alongside with DSS. After induction, the bodyweight, character of stool and feces occult blood were recorded daily, the disease activity index was calculated, and the colon length, colon weight, and spleen weight were recorded. The myeloperoxidase activity was assayed by spectrophotometry. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-a were determined by ELISA method, and nuclear factor-κB, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9, and inducible nitric oxide synthase by Western blotting assays. Results: Ferruginol significantly increased the bodyweight, colon weight, colon length, and decreased disease activity index and spleen weight. It exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against DSS induced ulcerative colitis in mice by reducing the activities of myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-κβ, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Conclusions: Ferruginol could be used to treat ulcerative colitis by attenuating the inflammation in colon cells and maintaining colonic mucosal barrier integrity.

Based on the invariant-based inverse engineering and quantum Zeno dynamics, we design time-dependent resonant laser pulses to speed up the population transfer in two spatially separated $$\Lambda $$ -type atoms. Through designing a virtual dark state for the evolution of the system, we can rapidly achieve a perfect population transfer in an ordinary cavity quantum electrodynamics system. We also discuss the influence of decoherence by numerical computation, and the result proves that this method is insensitive to the cavity decay and atomic spontaneous dissipation. In addition, this method is robust against the amplitude fluctuations of most of the parameters.

Plant growth and organ size putatively associated with crop yield are regulated by a complex network of genes including ones for controlling cell proliferation. The gene fw2.2 was first identified in tomatoes and reported to govern fruit size variation through controlling cell division. In this study, we isolated a putative ortholog of the tomato fw2.2 gene from apple, Cell Number Regulator 8 (MdCNR8). Our functional analysis showed that MdCNR8 may control fruit size and root growth. MdCNR8 was mediated by the SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1, and SUMOylation of MdCNR8 at residue-Lys39 promoted the translocation of MdCNR8 from plasma membrane to the nucleus. The effect of MdCNR8 in inhibiting root elongation could be completely counteracted by the coexpression of MdSIZ1. Moreover, the lower cell proliferation of apple calli due to silencing MdSIZ1 could be rescued by silencing MdCNR8. Collectively, our results showed that the MdSIZ1-mediated SUMOylation is required for the fulfillment of MdCNR8 in regulating cell proliferation to control plant organ size. This regulatory interaction between MdSIZ1 and MdCNR8 will facilitate understanding the mechanism underlying the regulation of organ size.

Euphorbiaceae, a family of plants mainly grown in the tropics and subtropics, is also widely distributed all over the world and is well known for being rich in rubber, oil, medicinal materials, starch, wood and other economically important plant products. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) constitute a family of proteins encoded by a large supergene family and are widely expressed in animals, bacteria, fungi and plants, but with few reports of them in Euphorbiaceae plants. These proteins participate in and regulate the detoxification and oxidative stress response of heterogeneous organisms, resistance to stress, growth and development, signal transduction and other related processes. In this study, we identified and analyzed the whole genomes of four species of Euphorbiaceae, namely Ricinus communis, Jatropha curcas, Hevea brasiliensis, and Manihot esculenta, which have high economic and practical value. A total of 244 GST genes were identified. Based on their sequence characteristics and conserved domain types, the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae was classified into 10 subfamilies. The GST supergene families of Euphorbiaceae and Arabidopsis have been found to be highly conserved in evolution, and tandem repeats and translocations in these genes have made the greatest contributions to gene amplification here and have experienced strong purification selection. An evolutionary analysis showed that Euphorbiaceae GST genes have also evolved into new subtribes (GSTO, EF1BG, MAPEG), which may play a specific role in Euphorbiaceae. An analysis of expression patterns of the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae revealed the functions of these GSTs in different tissues, including resistance to stress and participation in herbicide detoxification. In addition, an interaction analysis was performed to determine the GST gene regulatory mechanism. The results of this study have laid a foundation for further analysis of the functions of the GST supergene family in Euphorbiaceae, especially in stress and herbicide detoxification. The results have also provided new ideas for the study of the regulatory mechanism of the GST supergene family, and have provided a reference for follow-up genetics and breeding work.

Shortening the operation time of implementing scheme and reducing the influence of harmful factors have always been the research objectives pursued by people. Based on invariant-based reverse engineering, we present a general scheme for implementing robust population transfer in a three-level system via optimal shortcut to adiabatic passage. The systematic error sensitivity is introduced to measure the robustness of the process. The smooth Rabi frequencies are expressed with some coefficients, which are also related to the systematic error sensitivity and the population of intermediate state. When the amplitude of control field is given, the transfer can be optimized within as small systematic error sensitivity as possible, i.e., the robustness against systematic errors is further improved by choosing suitable correlation coefficient. Additionally, we apply the technique to achieve robust excitation fluctuation transfer between two membranes in an optomechanical system. The relation between the fidelity of excitation fluctuation transfer and variation of effective optomechanical coupling strengths is analysed. Numerical result shows that the fidelity keeps over 0.95 even if the coupling strengths deviates from 20% of the theoretical value. Moreover, comparison with existing literature [Opt. Express 29, 7998 (2021)10.1364/OE.417343], the proposed scheme possesses stronger robustness against variations of effective optomechanical coupling strengths and lower population of unwanted states. The idea may provide a promising approach for quantum information processing.

In comparison to low-dimensional entangled states, multi-dimensional entangled states are more security for quantum communication and more efficient and error-tolerant for quantum computation. Using transitionless quantum driving to construct shortcuts to adiabatic passage, we propose an efficient scheme to fast implement a four-dimensional entangled state of two atoms. The rigorous numerical simulations are showed. The results represent that the proposed generation scheme takes less time than traditional adiabatic scheme, and more robust against atomic spontaneous emission. Furthermore, this scheme is insensitive to the instability of experiment parameters.

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (LACSs) are members of the acyl-activating enzyme superfamily that have important roles in lipid synthesis and storage, fatty acid catabolism, vectorial acylation, and synthesis of cutin and wax. Here, 11 apple MdLACS genes were identified based on the Malus × domestica reference genome, clustered into six groups and mapped to ten chromosomes. Multiple sequence alignment and conserved motifs analyses showed that the sequences of the AtLACS and MdLACS proteins were highly conserved. A cis-element analysis in the promoter regions of the MdLACS genes revealed various elements related to stress responsiveness and plant hormones. Subsequently, expression analysis demonstrated that the MdLACS genes had different expression profiles in different tissues in response to various abiotic stresses. To further study the function of MdLACS genes in apple, MdLACS1 was isolated to identify its basic function, which the function of MdLACS1 in response to apple abiotic stress resistance was determined by the transgenic method. The results showed the MdLACS1 enhanced tolerance to polyethylene glycol, salt, and abscisic acid in the apple callus, suggesting that MdLACS1 is an important regulator in response to abiotic stresses. Finally, the functional interoperability network among the MdLACS proteins was predicted and analyzed, which could the understanding of the possible interactions among proteins and genes regulatory networks concerned with wax biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses in apple.

As a basic operation in quantum computers, quantum logic gates and particularly controlled NOT (CNOT) gates are important in quantum information processing. In this paper, we propose a one-step scheme to generate a CNOT gate via transitionless quantum driving. In this scheme, an effective Hamiltonian is obtained based on quantum Zeno dynamics to drive the system to evolve into the target state when the parameters are reasonably set. The results of explicit numerical simulations indicate that the proposed scheme is robust against instability related to variation in experimental parameters and decoherence. The scheme can also be extended to generate a Toffoli gate, which is useful for large-scale quantum computers. Moreover, the generation process involves only a single step, greatly simplifying its implementation.

The quantum state control or entanglement preparation for macroscopic matter is an attractive research. Optomechanical system provides an ideal platform to observe the quantum behaviors of macroscopic matter. In this paper, we present a scheme to implement the average excitation fluctuations transfer between two membranes in an optomechanical system via shortcut to adiabatic passage which is based on transitionless quantum driving. In order to quickly attain the transfer, we choose a suitable evolution path and optimize the experimental parameters. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the proposed scheme is robust against membrane damping and cavity decay. Furthermore, this idea can be used to generate entanglement of two membrane modes in a short time. Finally, we also discuss the experimental implementation of this scheme. This work may provide a new method for generating the macroscopic superposition state in the optomechanicalsystem.

To study the potential significance and clinical application of FGFR1 gene abnormality in the diagnosis, clinical features, pathological mechanism and treatment in hematological tumors.Clinical data of total of 29 patient with chromosome of 8 short arm (8P) abnormality who had more comprehensive medical history from 2013 to 2018 were collected. The karyotype analysis of bone marrow chromosomes in patients was carried out by using chromosome R band banding technique. FGFR1 gene was detected by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Seven cases of FGFR1 gene abnormalities were decteted, including 3 cases of FGFR1 gene amplification, 2 cases of translocation, and 2 cases of deletion. Five patients with FGFR1 gene amplification or deletion not accompaned with eosinophilia, moreover the chromosome was a complex karyotype with poor prognosis; Two cases of FGFR1 gene translocation were non-complex chromosomal translocation and one of which survived for 6 years after bone marrow transplantation, the other chromosome karyotype showed no rearrangement of 8 short arm. However, FGFR1 gene rearrangement was confirmed by FISH analysis, which was a rare insertional translocation.FGFR1 gene amplification or deletion often occur in cases with complex karyotype, which not accompany eosinophilia, moreover have poor prognosis. The patients with FGFR1 gene translocation accompany eosinophilia which is consistent with the clinical characteristics of myeloid / lymphoid neoplasms with FGFR1 abnormality. Karyotype analysis combined with FISH method can improve the detection of abnormal clones.FGFR1基因异常在血液肿瘤中的临床意义.研究血液系统肿瘤中成纤维细胞生长因子受体1（FGFR1）基因异常对疾病诊断、临床特征、病理机制及治疗选择的指导意义及临床应用.收集我院2013年至2018年带有8号染色体短臂（8P）异常且病史资料较为全面的患者共29例，运用染色体R带显带技术对患者骨髓染色体进行核型分析，并运用荧光原位杂交技术（FISH）进行FGFR1基因检测.FISH检测出FGFR1基因异常患者共7例，其中FGFR1基因扩增患者3例、易位改变患者2例、缺失患者2例。FGFR1基因扩增或缺失的5例患者均不伴有嗜酸性粒细胞增高，且染色体为复杂核型，预后较差；2例FGFR1基因易位病例为非复杂染色体易位，其中1例经骨髓移植后6年仍存活，另1例染色体核型分析8号短臂未见重排，但通过FISH检测证实了FGFR1基因的重排且为罕见的插入性易位.FGFR1基因扩增或缺失病例多发生在复杂核型中，不伴有嗜酸性粒细胞升高，预后差。FGFR1基因易位患者伴有嗜酸细胞增多，符合伴FGFR1异常的髓系/淋系肿瘤的临床特征。染色体核型分析和FISH方法相结合可以提高异常克隆的检出.

The aerial parts of apple are protected against environmental stress by cuticular wax. Although it has been suggested that several long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases are involved in wax biosynthesis, the molecular pathway of apple cuticular wax biosynthesis remains unclear. In this study, an MdLACS4 protein with long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase activity was isolated from apple. The MdLACS4 gene was highly expressed in pericarp, stem, and mature leaf tissues. Ectopic expression of MdLACS4 in Arabidopsis induced early flowering. Compared with wild-type plants, MdLACS4 transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited lower water loss rates, reduced epidermal permeability, increased cuticular wax in stems and leaves, and altered cuticular ultrastructure. Furthermore, the accumulation of cuticular wax enhanced the resistance of MdLACS4 transgenic plants to drought and salt stress. Finally, predicted protein functional interaction networks for LACS4 suggested that the molecular regulation pathway of MdLACS4 mediates wax biosynthesis in apple.

In this paper, we introduce a feasible scheme for implementing excitation fluctuation transfer between two membranes in a cavity optomechanical system. The transitionless tracking algorithm allows the system to evolve along a single path, and the process is sped up. Numerical simulations are shown to indicate that, compared with the schemes based on conventional adiabatic passage and Lewis–Riesenfeld invariants, the proposed scheme not only shortens the evolution time but also significantly decreases the negative effects of dissipation arising from membrane damping and cavity decay within specified bounds. This work provides a new idea for quantum state transfer between two membranes.

SIZ1 (a SIZ/PIAS-type SUMO E3 ligase)-mediated small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification of target proteins is important for various biological processes related to abiotic stress resistance in plants; however, little is known about its role in resistance toward iron (Fe) deficiency. Here, the SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1 was shown to be involved in the plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase-mediated response to Fe deficiency. Subsequently, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, MdbHLH104 (a homolog of Arabidopsis bHLH104 in apple), which acts as a key component in regulating PM H+-ATPase-mediated rhizosphere acidification and Fe uptake in apples (Malus domestica), was identified as a direct target of MdSIZ1. MdSIZ1 directly sumoylated MdbHLH104 both in vitro and in vivo, especially under conditions of Fe deficiency, and this sumoylation was required for MdbHLH104 protein stability. Double substitution of K139R and K153R in MdbHLH104 blocked MdSIZ1-mediated sumoylation in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the K139 and K153 residues were the principal sites of SUMO conjugation. Moreover, the transcript level of the MdSIZ1 gene was substantially induced following Fe deficiency. MdSIZ1 overexpression exerted a positive influence on PM H+-ATPase-mediated rhizosphere acidification and Fe uptake. Our findings reveal an important role for sumoylation in the regulation of PM H+-ATPase-mediated rhizosphere acidification and Fe uptake during Fe deficiency in plants.

We propose a scheme to prepare W state for three atoms in a cavity via adiabatic passage and quantum Zeno dynamics. Appropriate Rabi frequencies of the classical fields are selected to realize the present scheme. Numerical analysis is showed, which indicates that the scheme is robust against the floating of the pulse delay and laser intensity, and the atomic spontaneous radiation and the cavity decay are efficiently suppressed by engineering adiabatic passage. Moreover, the scheme is more achievable in experiment than other existing schemes. Based on the current experimental technology, this scheme for generation of high-fidelity W state for three atoms can be achieved.

In this paper, combining transitionless quantum driving and quantum Zeno dynamics, we propose an efficient scheme to fast implement a two-qubit quantum phase gate which can be used to generate cluster state of atoms trapped in distant cavities. The influence of various of various error sources including spontaneous emission and photon loss on the fidelity is analyzed via numerical simulation. The results show that this scheme not only takes less time than adiabatic scheme but also is not sensitive to both error sources. Additionally, a creation of N-atom cluster states is put forward as a typical example of the applications of the phase gates.

Purpose The present study aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of colon cancer and identify genes associated with tumor development. Methods Three datasets, two (GSE74602 and GSE44861) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and RNA-Seq colon cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas data portal, were downloaded. These three datasets were grouped using a meta-analysis approach, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between colon tumor samples and adjacent normal samples. Functional enrichment analysis and regulatory factor predication were performed for significant genes. Additionally, small-molecule drugs associated with colon cancer were predicted, and a prognostic risk model was constructed. Results There were 251 overlapping DEGs (135 up- and 116 downregulated) between cancer samples and control samples in the three datasets. The DEGs were mainly involved in protein transport and apoptotic and neurotrophin signaling pathways. A total of 70 small-molecule drugs were predicated to be associated with colon cancer. Additionally, in the miRNA–target regulatory network, we found that SLC44A1 can be targeted by hsa-miR-183, hsa-miR-206, and hsa-miR-147, while KLF13 can be regulated by hsa-miR-182, hsa-miR-206, and hsa-miR-153. Moreover, the results of the prognostic risk model showed that four genes (VAMP1, P2RX5, CACNB1, and CRY2) could divide the samples into high and low risk groups. Conclusion SLC44A1 and KLF13 may be involved in tumorigenesis and the metastasis of colon cancer by miRNA regulation. In addition, a four-gene (VAMP1, P2RX5, CACNB1, and CRY2) expression signature may have prognostic and predictive value in colon cancer.

Quantum state transfer between two nodes is a basic task of long-distance quantum communication. In this paper, we propose a general protocol to transfer quantum state between optical and microwave modes in a three-mode optomechanical system based on transitionless quantum driving. By choosing a well-designed path, the reversible transfer between optical and microwave modes can be achieved in the shorter time than adiabatic passage method. We further apply this idea for implementing the quantum state transfer between optical or microwave and mechanical modes. Numerical simulation results show that the protocol is robust against the cavity decay and mechanical damping. Therefore, this work provides a new method for quantum state transfer between two optical modes with distinct wavelengths in the optomechanical system, which may have great application prospect in quantum communication.

MdMYB1 acts as a crucial component of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in red-skinned apples (Malus domestica), but little is known about its posttranslational regulation. Here, a SUMO E3 ligase MdSIZ1 was screened out as an MdMYB1-interacting protein with a yeast two-hybridization approach. The interaction between MdSIZ1 and MdMYB1 was further verified with pull-down and CoIP assays. Furthermore, it was found that MdSIZ1 directly sumoylated MdMYB1 proteins in vivo and in vitro, especially under moderately low temperature (17 °C) conditions, and that this sumoylation was required for MdMYB1 protein stability. Moreover, the transcription level of MdSIZ1 gene was remarkably induced by low temperature and phosphorus deficiency, and MdSIZ1 overexpression exerted a large positive influence on anthocyanin accumulation and red fruit coloration, suggesting its important role in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis under stress conditions. Our findings reveal an important role for a SUMO modification of MYB transcription factors in regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants.

The structural, energetic and electronic properties of germanene adsorbed with small nitrogen-based molecules, including N 2 , NH 3 , NO 2 and NO, have been investigated by using first-principles calculations. The results show that all nitrogen-based molecules considered bind much stronger to germanene than to graphene due to the hybridized sp 2 -sp 3 bonding of Ge atoms. The N 2 , NO and NO 2 molecules all act as an acceptor, while the NH 3 molecule donates electrons to germanene. We also found sizable band gaps (2–158 meV) are opened at the Dirac point of germanene through N 2 , NH 3 , and NO 2 adsorptions, but with only slightly destroying its Dirac cone shape. The NO 2 molecule also shows a heavy p-type doping character and makes germanene to be metallic. Moreover, when adsorbed by NO molecule, the germanene can change to be a ferromagnetic half-metal with 100% spin-polarization at the Fermi level. Overall, the different adsorption behaviors of small nitrogen-based gas molecules on germanene provide a feasible way to exploit chemically modified germanene for a wide range of practical applications, such as field-effect transistors, gas sensors and spintronic devices.

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to hospital 4 times from November 2007 to June 2009. The patient had silicosis complicated by broncholithiasis, esophagobronchial fistula, and relapsed tuberculosis. She had worked as a stone crusher for 3 years and was exposed to a large amount of quartz dust. Barium esophagography, gastroesophageal endoscopy, and biopsy suggested esophageal-related chronic inflammation and ulcer, which probably caused the repeated esophagobronchial fistulas observed. Bronchoscopy revealed a free broncholithiasis in the left main bronchus. The patient was readmitted a fourth time, for the relapse of silicotuberculosis. After 9 months of antituberculous therapy, she was doing well until the recent last follow-up visit.

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital four times from November 2007 to June 2009. In this complex case, the patient had silicosis complicated by broncholithiasis, oesophagobronchial fistulas, and relapsed tuberculosis. She had worked as a stone crusher for 3 years and was exposed to a large amount of quartz dust. Barium oesophagography, gastroesophageal endoscopy, and biopsy suggested oesophageal-related chronic inflammation and ulceration, which may have caused the repeated oesophagobronchial fistulas. Bronchoscopy revealed a free broncholithiasis in the left mainstem bronchus. The patient was admitted a fourth time because of silicotuberculosis relapse. After 9 months of antituberculosis treatment, the patient recovered and was still clinically well at the time of this writing.

The dependencies of EPR g-factors on the local structural parameter and intrinsic crystal-field parameters for a 4f3 configuration ion Nd3+ in Bi4Ge3O12 crystal have been studied by diagonalising 364 × 364 complete energy matrices. The results indicate that the local structure of (NdO6)9− cluster exhibits an oblate distortion in Bi4Ge3O12 crystal, where the ligand ions O2− undergo an outward departure (Δθ1 ≈ 0.92°, Δθ2 ≈ 1.27°) away from the C3 axis. An inflexion with six-order intrinsic parameter Ā6 ≈ 10 cm−1 was found that may well account for previous abnormal g-factors evaluation. Furthermore, our studies show that a stronger covalence between the ligand ions O2− and the central Nd3+ ions may exist in the (NdO6)9− cluster. Also, the high-order mixing effects on EPR parameters have been evaluated. It is shown that the dominant high-order contribution to EPR g-factors is from the J-J mixture between the terms 4I9/2 and 2H9/2, which accounts for about 3.3%.

Apple cuticular waxes have important functions in responses to mechanical injury, pathogen invasion, low temperatures, drought, salinity, and other stresses. In recent years, AP2/EREBP-type transcription factors have been shown to play an important role in cuticular wax biosynthesis. However, it remains unclear whether the apple AP2/EREBP-type transcription factor WRI4 has a similar function, and the molecular mechanisms of its regulation have not been characterized. In this study, we identified an AP2/EREBP-type transcription factor, MdWRI4, from apple and demonstrated that it was localized in the nucleus. The MdWRI4 gene was highly expressed in the pericarp, and heterologous expression of MdWRI4 in Arabidopsis caused increased cuticular wax biosynthesis in stems and leaves. MdWRI4 transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited reduced epidermal permeability, water loss, and chlorophyll leaching rate, as well as improved drought and salt resistance. Finally, we predicted the protein interaction network of the MdWRI4 protein in order to clarify potential pathways by which MdWRI4 regulates the response to environmental stress.