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The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) nanolithography technology is the keystone for developing the next-generation chips. As conventional chemically amplified resists are approaching the resolution limit, metal-containing photoresists, especially tin-oxo clusters, seize the opportunity to embrace this challenge owing to their small sizes, precise atomic structures, and strong EUV absorption. However, atomistic insights into the mechanism for regulating their photolithographic behavior are lacking. Herein, we systematically explored the effects of ligands, counterions, and endohedral doping on the photophysical properties of tin-oxo cage clusters by first-principles calculations combined with molecular dynamics simulations. Photoresists assembled by allyl-protected clusters with small-size OH− or Cl− counterions have a high absorption coefficient at the EUV wavelength of 13.5 nm and a low energy cost for ligand detachment and superior stability to ensure high sensitivity and strong etch resistance, respectively. The photoresist performance can further be improved by endohedral doping of the metal-oxo nanocage with Ag+ and Cd2+ ions, which exhibit superatomic characteristics and are likely to be synthesized in laboratory. These theoretical results provide useful guidance for modification of metal-oxo clusters for high-resolution EUV photolithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the value and characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT and enhanced CT in primary pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma (PPMA), in order to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods Data of enhanced CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging and clinical information of 25 patients with PPMA confirmed by pathology in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from July 2015 to February 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 25 PPMA patients were enrolled. Among them, 25 patients underwent the examination of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, and 6 cases underwent enhanced CT scan. Seven cases had one lesion, which morphologically manifested as a solitary lung lesion with lobulation signs, spinous processes on the edge, and uneven uptake of 18F-FDG with low or no uptake in hollow or cystic density areas; 18 cases showed diffuse multiple lesions in both lungs with different distribution, size and shape, including 5 cases with multiple nodules/masses, 5 with consolidations, and 8 with diversified lesions including nodules, masses, cavities, ground glass opacities, patches, and consolidations. Consolidation shadow is the most typical morphological manifestation of diffusely multiple PPMA (11 cases). The density of consolidation foci was extremely uneven, and all of them contain areas of cystic density. They had low CT value(-71-79 Hu), and characteristic features were found, including pulmonary lobe bulging sign (6 cases), pathological air bronchus sign (4 cases), angiographic sign (3 cases) and surrounding ground glass density(7 cases). The uptake of 18F-FDG varied with the density of lesions. The cystic component was lower than the solid component. Contrast-enhanced CT showed heterogeneous enhancement in 4 cases and no enhancement in 2 cases. The degree of 18F-FDG uptake in lesions dominated by nodules, masses or cavities was not linearly correlated with the degree of CT enhancement, but that in lesions dominated by consolidation was positively correlated with the degree of CT enhancement. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced CT shows PPMA lesions with no enhancement or heterogeneous enhancement. PPMA is often manifested as nodules, patchy shadows, and other space-occupying forms mixed with consolidation shadows on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, which has characteristic manifestations, including pulmonary lobe bulge and pathological air bronchi. Angiographic signs and the degree of metabolism are positively correlated with the density of lesions, which are used for differential diagnosis of pulmonary infectious diseases.

Understanding the pig immune function is crucial for disease-resistant breeding and potentially for human health research due to shared immune system features. Immune cell ratios, like monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), offer a more comprehensive view of immune status compared to individual cell counts. However, research on pig immune cell ratios remains limited. This study investigated MLR and NLR in a Duroc × Erhualian F2 resource population. Heritability analysis revealed high values (0.649 and 0.688 for MLR and NLR, respectively), suggesting a strong genetic component. Furthermore, we employed an ensemble-like GWAS (E-GWAS) strategy and functional annotation analysis to identify 11 MLR-associated and 6 NLR-associated candidate genes. These genes were significantly enriched in immune-related biological processes. These findings provide novel genetic markers and candidate genes associated with porcine immunity, thereby providing valuable insights for addressing biosecurity and animal welfare concerns in the pig industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigs are the most important source of meat and valuable biomedical models. However, the porcine immune system, especially the heterogeneity of CD8 T cell subtypes, has not been fully characterized. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified 14 major cell types from peripheral blood circulating cells of pigs and observed remarkable heterogeneity among CD8 T cell types. Upon re-clustering of CD8+ T cells, we defined four CD8 T cell subtypes and revealed their potential differentiation trajectories and transcriptomic differences among them. Additionally, we identified transcription factors with potential regulatory roles in maintaining CD8 T cell differentiation. The cell-cell communication analysis inferred an extensive interaction between CD8 T cells and other immune cells. Finally, cross-species analysis further identified species-specific and conserved cell types across different species. Overall, our study provides the first insight into the extensive functional heterogeneity and state transitions among porcine CD8 T cell subtypes in pig peripheral blood, complements the knowledge of porcine immunity, and enhances its potential as a biomedical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate an in vitro dynamic bioreactor model by evaluating the antimicrobial effect of clinically relevant amoxicillin doses on polymicrobial microcosm biofilms derived from subgingival plaque. Methods: Biofilms from pooled subgingival plaque were grown for 108 hours in control and experimental dynamic biofilm reactors. Amoxicillin was subsequently infused into the experimental reactor to simulate the pharmacokinetic profile of a standard 500 mg thrice‐daily dosing regimen over 5 days and biofilms were assessed by live/dead staining, scanning electron microscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Following establishment of the oral microcosm biofilms, confocal imaging analysis showed a significant increase in dead bacteria at 8 hours (p = 0.0095), 48 hours (p = 0.0070), 96 hours (p = 0.0140), and 120 hours (p < 0.0001) in the amoxicillin‐treated biofilms compared to the control biofilms. Nevertheless, viable bacteria remained in the center of the biofilm at all timepoints. Significant reductions/elimination in Campylobacter rectus, Tannerella forsythia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was observed among the amoxicillin‐treated biofilms at the 96 and 120 hour timepoints. Conclusion: A novel in vitro dynamic model of oral microcosm biofilms was effective in modeling the antimicrobial effect of a pharmacokinetically simulated clinically relevant dose of amoxicillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]