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Objective: To summarize echocardiographic characteristics of the anatomy and hemodynamic and clinical outcomes in fetuses with isolated pulmonary stenosis (PS) or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study of fetuses with isolated PS or PA/IVS. Echocardiographic variables and clinical outcomes after delivery were evaluated and compared. Results: Between 2016 and 2021, 115 livebirths with isolated PS or PA/IVS were included. Proportion of fetuses with mild, moderate and critical PS and PA/IVS was 41.7 %, 18.3 %, 26.1 % and 13.9 %. Fetuses with more severe PS had worse anatomic and hemodynamic profiles. Specifically, the cardiothoracic ratio, pulmonary valve (PV) velocity, degree and velocity of tricuspid regurgitation increased as PS severity increased; and the pulmonary artery/aorta ratio, right ventricle/left ventricle long-axis (TV/MV) ratio, tricuspid valve/mitral valve annulus (TV/MV) ratio, and tricuspid valve inflow duration/cardiac cycle ratio decreased as PS severity increased (P

Abstract Background Noonan syndrome (NS) is a rare genetic disease, and patients who suffer from it exhibit a facial morphology that is characterized by a high forehead, hypertelorism, ptosis, inner epicanthal folds, down-slanting palpebral fissures, a highly arched palate, a round nasal tip, and posteriorly rotated ears. Facial analysis technology has recently been applied to identify many genetic syndromes (GSs). However, few studies have investigated the identification of NS based on the facial features of the subjects. Objectives This study develops advanced models to enhance the accuracy of diagnosis of NS. Methods A total of 1,892 people were enrolled in this study, including 233 patients with NS, 863 patients with other GSs, and 796 healthy children. We took one to 10 frontal photos of each subject to build a dataset, and then applied the multi-task convolutional neural network (MTCNN) for data pre-processing to generate standardized outputs with five crucial facial landmarks. The ImageNet dataset was used to pre-train the network so that it could capture generalizable features and minimize data wastage. We subsequently constructed seven models for facial identification based on the VGG16, VGG19, VGG16-BN, VGG19-BN, ResNet50, MobileNet-V2, and squeeze-and-excitation network (SENet) architectures. The identification performance of seven models was evaluated and compared with that of six physicians. Results All models exhibited a high accuracy, precision, and specificity in recognizing NS patients. The VGG19-BN model delivered the best overall performance, with an accuracy of 93.76%, precision of 91.40%, specificity of 98.73%, and F1 score of 78.34%. The VGG16-BN model achieved the highest AUC value of 0.9787, while all models based on VGG architectures were superior to the others on the whole. The highest scores of six physicians in terms of accuracy, precision, specificity, and the F1 score were 74.00%, 75.00%, 88.33%, and 61.76%, respectively. The performance of each model of facial recognition was superior to that of the best physician on all metrics. Conclusion Models of computer-assisted facial recognition can improve the rate of diagnosis of NS. The models based on VGG19-BN and VGG16-BN can play an important role in diagnosing NS in clinical practice.

Additively manufactured (AM) components—either made by laser-powder bed fusion or wire and arc additive manufacturing—typically contain process-related defects on and near surfaces that can be removed by machining. Various studies have shown that post-treatment, such as machining significantly improves the fatigue strength of AM parts. To this day, however, hardly any studies have investigated the fatigue strength of post-treated additively manufactured components with notches. In this study, fatigue tests were performed on plain and notched specimens to determine and compare the crack initiation and crack propagation behavior due to different manufacturing-related effects. Tests were performed on specimens produced by the two aforementioned AM processes and compared to specimens taken from wrought sheets. The fatigue strength of AM materials is influenced by microstructure, defects, residual stress, and notches. PBF-LB/M specimens exhibit the highest fatigue strength in plain, notch-free conditions, attributed to differences in microstructure and static strength affecting fatigue crack initiation. Notched specimens show larger differences among materials, with PBF-LB/M having shorter fatigue crack propagation life related to line-type defect clusters, while the plain PBF-LB/M specimens are less affected as their fatigue strength is primarily determined by fatigue crack initiation.

In order to obtain Mg alloys with fine microstructures and high mechanical performances, a novel friction-based processing method, name as “constrained friction processing (CFP)”, was investigated. Via CFP, defect-free Mg-Zn-Ca rods with greatly refined grains and high mechanical properties were produced. Compared to the previous as-cast microstructure, the grain size was reduced from more than 1 mm to around 4 µm within 3 s by a single process cycle. The compressive yield strength was increased by 350% while the ultimate compressive strength by 53%. According to the established material flow behaviors by “tracer material”, the plastic material was transported by shear deformation. From the base material to the rod, the material experienced three stages, i.e. deformation by the tool, upward flow with additional tilt, followed by upward transportation. The microstructural evolution was revealed by “stop-action” technique. The microstructural development at regions adjacent to the rod is mainly controlled by twinning, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) as well as particle stimulated nucleation, while that within the rod is related to DRX combined with grain growth.

Camellia oleifera oil is a pure and natural high-grade oil prevalent in South China. Camellia oleifera oil is known for its richness in unsaturated fatty acids and high nutritional value. There is increasing evidence indicating that a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids is beneficial to health. Despite the widespread production of Camellia oleifera oil and its bioactive components, reports on its nutritional components are scarce, especially regarding systematic reviews of extraction methods and biological functions. This review systematically summarized the latest research on the bioactive components and biological functions of Camellia oleifera oil reported over the past decade. In addition to unsaturated fatty acids, Camellia oleifera oil contains six main functional components contributing to its antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties. These functional components are vitamin E, saponins, polyphenols, sterols, squalene, and flavonoids. This paper reviewed the biological activity of Camellia oleifera oil and its extraction methods, laying a foundation for further development of its bioactive components.

Frictional heat induced morphological responses of austenitic alloys SUS304, A286, and Inconel 718 at the interface in rotary friction welding was focused in this study, addressing initiation, evolution of corona-bond and the formation of heat-pattern. Summative models that describe the location and width of corona-bond at initiation, the corona-bond evolution mode and the formation of heat-patterns were given. The results show that when the corona-bond initiates at 0.33 R ∼ R, it fills the interface to form a lens-shaped heat-pattern. Inside this morphology, recrystallized ultrafine grains are formed to provide a superior performance. When the corona-bond initiates at 0–0.33 R with a width >0.4 R, it spreads to periphery to form a straight-line-shaped heat-pattern. Inside this heat-pattern, deformed grains and sub-boundaries are formed. The tensile strength of straight-line heat-pattern is lower than that of lens-shaped heat-pattern. When the corona-bond initiates at 0–0.33 R with a width ≤0.4 R, it does not spread but concentrates itself at center to form a spindle-shaped heat-pattern consisted of a ‘spindle body’ at center and a ‘friction line’ at periphery. Spindle body corresponds to a region made up of equiaxed recrystallized ultrafine grains, whereas the friction line corresponds to recrystallized grains and substructured grains. The formation of the friction line makes neglectable effect on local the strength but it does lower the elongation, where the local elongation of the friction line decreases to 6%–9% compared to 18% of a spindle body.

Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (refill FSSW) is a method for joining similar and dissimilar lightweight metallic materials or thermoplastic polymers. The technique produces welds that feature suitable mechanical properties with advantages such as the possibility of industrial scalability and automation. Still, some challenges need to be overcome in order to increase the adoption of this technique in industry. Tool wear is a key issue for friction-based processes, since it impacts the process costs and quality of the welds. In this study, a total of 2350 welds of AA2198-T8 sheets were performed and the effect of wear on probe and shoulder was investigated. While the probe did not suffer any considerable wear after this number of welds, the shoulder underwent wear in different areas, with distinct wear mechanisms. Adhesive wear and plastic deformation were determined as the primary damage mechanisms affecting different areas of the shoulder. Mechanical testing of selected welds has shown a trend towards reduction in the lap shear strength (LSS) as a function of tool wear. Macrostructural analysis of welds' geometrical features shows that profile changes at the shoulder due to wear led to a trend of reduction in stirred zone area and, consequently, joints’ LSS. Modifications in the worn shoulder profile were suggested as possible causes for changes in hook height, which was identified as a further determining factor to the observed reduction in LSS. Still, all tested welds surpassed the minimum lap shear strength standard requirements for aeronautical applications.

The distribution and main controlling factors of the organic matter carbonization points/zones of over-mature marine shale are important issues for shale gas exploration. This paper focuses on the Lower Cambrian and Lower Silurian shales in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery. Based on the detailed anatomy of key carbonization zones, predictions of shale organic matter carbonization zones and regional mapping of thermal maturity are carried out to explore and reveal the distribution and main controlling factors of the carbonization zones of organic matter in the two sets of shales. Four preliminary conclusions were obtained: (1) There are four organic matter carbonization zones in the Lower Silurian shale distribution area, namely eastern Sichuan-western Hubei, northwestern Hubei, west of southern Sichuan, and Renhuai-southwestern Chongqing, covering an area of nearly 40 × 103 km2. The main part of the western carbonization zone in the southern Sichuan is located in the Emei basalt distribution area. (2) The organic matter carbonization zone accounts for more than 80% of the Lower Cambrian shale distribution area, The non-carbonization zone is only distributed in Weiyuan-Ziyang, Moxi-Gaoshiti, Changyang, and Weng'an-Zhenyuan with an area of about 62.6 × 103 km2. (3) The Lower Silurian and Lower Cambrian shales in the west of southern Sichuan experienced an increase in thermal maturity RO values of 0.2%–0.4% and 0.2%–1.0%, respectively, as a result of the Emei large igneous province, an extreme heat event in the Late Permian. The Lower Cambrian and Lower Silurian shales have the highest degree of carbonization of organic matter in Mabian-Ebian, which is also in the high-value area of the Emei basalt thickness. (4) The main controlling factors of organic matter carbonization of the Lower Cambrian and Lower Silurian shales have similarities and differences. The main controlling factor of the former is the long-term deep burial background, and the extreme thermal event in the Late Permian only exacerbated the degree of carbonization in some areas more seriously. The latter's main controlling factors are relatively complex and are controlled by deep burial background in the three regions of Renhuai-southwestern Chongqing, eastern Sichuan-western Hubei, and northwestern Hubei. It was governed by a deep burial background and a high geotemperature in the Late Permian.

Based on anatomy of key areas and data points and analysis of typical features of shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member, basic characteristics of key interfaces, mainly bentonite layers, in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation—Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas and the relationship between these key interfaces with the deposition of organic-rich shale have been examined systematically. The Wufeng Formation—Longmaxi Formation has four types of marker beds with interface attributes, namely, the characteristic graptolite belt, Guanyinqiao Member shell layer, section with dense bentonite layers, and concretion section, which can be taken as key interfaces for stratigraphic division and correlation of the graptolite shale. The shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member is the most standard key interface in Wufeng Formation—Longmaxi Formation, and can also be regarded as an important indicator for judging the depositional scale of organic-rich shale in key areas. There are 8 dense bentonite sections of two types mainly occurring in 7 graptolite belts in these formations. They have similar interface characteristics with the shell layer in Guanyinqiao Member in thickness and natural gamma response, and belong to tectonic interfaces (i.e., event deposits). They have three kinds of distribution scales: whole region, large part of the region, and local part, and can be the third, fourth and fifth order sequence interfaces, and have a differential control effect on organic-rich shale deposits. The horizon the characteristic graptolite belt occurs first is the isochronous interface, which is not directly related to the deposition of organic-rich shale. Concretions only appear in local areas, and show poor stability in vertical and horizontal directions, and have no obvious relationship with the deposition of the organic-rich shale.

Based on the outcrop and drilling data of the Sichuan Basin and its periphery, this paper reveals the concretion development characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation and its significance to the environment. Three preliminary conclusions are drawn as follows. (1) The exposure layers and lithofacies characteristics of the concretions in the Qiongzhusi Formation are very different from area to area. In the eastern Sichuan-western Hubei-Hunan & Guizhou and southern Sichuan depression areas, the concretionsare developed in the section of SQ1, and are mainly composed of calcareous siliceous mixed shale facies, siliceous shale facies, dolomitic shale facies and dolomite facies. The clay content is generally less than 25% and is significantly less than the surrounding rocks, and the TOC is generally higher in the lower concretion layers and less in the upper concretion layers. In the central Sichuan and northern Sichuan depression areas, the concretions appear in the sections of SQ1 and SQ2, and are dominated by calcareous shale facies and marl facies. The calcic content is obviously higher than that of surrounding rocks, and the clay content is less than that of surrounding rocks, and the TOC is less than 1.50%. Because mineral composition difference is high, most of the GR curves of the concretions show trough response characteristics, reflecting the central region enriched with calcium or siliceous, and the edge enriched with clay and organic matter. (2) The concretion layers generally occur in carbonaceous shale, silty shale and siliceous shale with a TOC over 0.7%, and are especially developed in carbonaceous shale and siliceous shale of SQ1, and occasionally appear in grey silty shale with a TOC over 0.2%, showing that the concretion layers are basically symbiotic with grey shale (especially with high-quality shale). (3) The concretions are a kind of important sedimentary response of rifting activities in Yangtze marine basin. According to the distribution characteristics of concretions and black shale in the Qiongzhusi Formation, the rifting activities of Yangtze marine basin can be divided into three periods including development period (SQ1), adjustment period (SQ2) and abortion period (SQ3). In the period of SQ1, controlled by massive rifting and upwelling ocean currents in Yangtze marine basin, the concretions and organic-rich shale were widely developed in the Lower Qiongzhusi Formation. In the periods of SQ2 and SQ3, while rifting activity of Yangtze marine basin decreased and aborted, and while sea level fell and upwelling ocean currents receded to the southeast, the concretions and organic-rich shale just appeared in the local depression areas in small scale.

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the central Yangtze area of southern China has a good prospect of shale gas exploration. So far, however, its complicated geological conditions and shale gas exploration and development potentials have not been understood completely, which affects its exploration achievements. In order to determine the main factors controlling shale gas enrichment in the Wufeng–Longmaxi Fms in this area, this paper studied the key shale gas enrichment conditions in the black shale there (e.g. sedimentary environments, reservoir development characteristics and preservation conditions) based on single-well comprehensive reservoir evaluation, combined with drilling, logging, core, outcrop and test data. In addition, it was compared with the main shale gas blocks in the Sichuan Basin, such as Jiaoshiba and Changning. And the following research results are obtained. First, the organic-rich shale section in this area was formed during the sedimentation from Wufeng Formation to the third submember of the first member of Longmaxi Formation. It is the deposit of deepwater continental facies, and its thickness is in a range of 15–39 m, presenting a trend of increasing from south to north. Second, the reservoir rocks in the high-quality shale sections are dominated by siliceous shale, and the reservoir porosity is in a range of 1.60–7.44%. The reservoir spaces are dominated by organic pores with good connectivity and high total organic carbon (TOC) content. The organic matter is of a sapropel–sapropel prone hybrid type, with a high thermal evolution degree, better gas bearing property and good fracturability. Third, the Dangyang synclinorium is characterized by better strata preservation, rock occurrence flat, less developed faults and thick and stable roofs and floors, so its shale gas preservation conditions are better. Fourth, different from the Changning and Jiaoshiba Blocks, the central Yangtze area is characterized by great burial depth, large bidirectional stress difference, and low formation pressure coefficient. In conclusion, the Wufeng–Longmaxi Fms is better in shale gas enrichment conditions and has a potential of further exploration. However, its commercial shale gas development and scale production increase in the future face challenges due to its large stress difference, great burial depth, and lower pressure coefficient.

As verified by literature, heat-treatments of as-atomized Al-alloy powders before cold spraying, result in microstructural homogenization and deposition efficiency increment. So far, a straightforward correlation between powder strength and consequences for the performance in cold spraying and deposit properties is still missing. This work thus provides reliable analyses of powder strengths in as-atomized and annealed states to the calculation of critical velocities and deposit quality parameter η, as well as the associated influences of powder strength on single-particle adhesion and deposit microstructures and properties. By annealing of as-atomized powder, its strength is reduced by about 60%, which allows decreasing the critical velocity for a successful deposition. Experimental results demonstrate that powder strength-based calculation of quality parameter η allows for a more realistic description of microstructural characteristics and deposits properties. The single-particle impact morphologies as well as the detachment features of adhering splats by cavitation tests visualize the respective deposition characteristics and bonding behaviors. The lower critical velocities by annealing contribute to better single splat adhesion, lower porosity, higher electrical conductivity, as well as improved tensile strength of deposits. The direct correlation of powder pre-annealing and strength in combination with cold spraying parameter variation allows defining effective strategies for improving deposit properties.

The petrological and organic geochemical characteristics, reservoir porosity types and features, and gas-bearing characteristics of organic-rich shale were systematically studied using FIB-SEM, mineral contentanalysis, organic geochemical analysis and low-temperature and low-pressure nitrogen adsorption porosity determination, and drilling data of typical wells in the Dangyang synclinorium. (1) Vertically, shale reservoirs from the Wufeng Formation(O3w) are quite different from the first section of the first member of Longmaxi Formation (S1l11). High-quality shale reservoirs are developed from S1l11(1) to S1l11(2) sublayers, with a high abundance of organic matter (2.45%-6.98%), type Ⅱ1-Ⅱ2 organic matter, rather high thermal evolution degree, high brittle mineral content (34.0%-85.5%), low clay mineral content (9.0%-40.3%), and high total gas content (1.76-4.30 m3/t). Organic pores are well developed. In the S1l11(3) sublayer, affected by the intensified Caledonian tectonic activity, terrigenous material input increased, and reservoir quality began to deteriorate. (2) Horizontally, organic-rich shale of the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations in the Dangyang synclinorium become thicker from southeast to northwest, and the reservoir quality becomes better. (3) Shale reservoirs in the S1l11(1)-S1l11(2) sublayers in the study area are the "sweetest" and the "most brittle".However, considering the convenience of real-time monitoring and adjustment of well trajectory during horizontal drilling, the upper and lower half of GR peak in the S1l11(1) sublayer should be selected as the best horizontal target of horizontal wells.

The application of magnesium (Mg) inevitably involves dissimilar welding with steel. A novel solid state spot welding method, refill friction stir spot welding (refill FSSW), was utilized to weld AZ31 Mg alloy to galvanized DP600 steel. Although Mg/Fe is an immiscible alloy system, defect-free welds with high strength were successfully obtained in a wide parameter window. The results of microstructure, interfacial reactions, and mechanical properties are reported to reveal the underlying joining mechanism. Due to the melting of Zn coating and subsequent Mg-Zn reactions, Mg-Zn eutectic and intermetallic compounds were detected within welds. Heterogeneous interfacial reactions occur along Mg/steel interface, and the relationship between interfacial structure and fracture behavior was investigated. The joining mechanism is associated with Zn coating and Fe-Al layer: 1) the presence of Zn coating is beneficial for achieving high-quality welding between Mg and steel, it protects the interface from oxidation and contributes to brazing of the weld; 2) the Al present in Mg alloy reacts with Fe, resulting in the growth of Fe-Al layer, which contributes to the diffusion bonding in the interface. The overall results clearly show that refill FSSW is a competitive welding method for joining Mg and galvanized steel.

Policosanol is widely distributed naturally and can be isolated and purified from rice bran, sugarcane, apples, grapes etc. Due to its functional significance and ease of bioavailability, techniques for the extraction of policosanol are of great significance to investigators, of which saponification, solvent extraction, transesterification, molecular distillation, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction and other extraction methods are evaluated. Policosanol has been usually applied in functional foods because it has multiple health-improving properties, including the lowering of lipids, anti-aging, tissue regeneration, cyto-, liver, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and protection against diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, Parkinson’s disease, inflammation, ulcers and cancer. Additionally, the signaling pathways AMPK, MAPK and PI3K/Akt involved in its effects are investigated. This review compiled the most interesting references for scientifics engaged in policosanol health-improving effects, including extraction procedures. To sum up, it will help to develop ancillary drugs and functional foods in the future.

Objective. We reported the 3-year follow-up results of initial clinical experience with the AbsnowTM device, a novel biodegradable occluder for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). Background. The AbsnowTM device is a total biodegradable septal occluder with double-disc poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) framework and PLLA membranes intergraded into the device to ensure its biodegradability, clinical safety, and efficacy. Methods. Five pediatric patients were enrolled from May to June 2018 in our institution and were followed up for 3 years. A clinical evaluation and transthoracic echocardiography were performed at 24 hr, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and yearly after implantation. Primary endpoints were a composite clinical success, comprising of clinical closure success and safety at the 36-month follow-up evaluation. Secondary endpoints included technical success, procedure success, closure success, and safety at each of the follow-up visits. Results. The median subject age was 3.6 years (range 3.1–6.5 years). The mean ASD diameter was (13.7 ± 2.9) mm. The median device size was 20 mm (range 14 to 24 mm). Technical and procedure success was achieved in 100% (5/5) of the patients. At 2-year follow-up, 3 of the 5 patients developed new-onset residual shunts and 2 of them reached a moderate degree. At 3-year follow-up, the residual shunt size increased over time in all the 3 patients, and 1 of them had right ventricular enlargement. All of the 5 patients were free from serious adverse events during the 3-year follow-up, with no device embolization, thromboembolization, or reintervention to the target defect. Conclusion. This 3-year follow-up result of initial experience with the biodegradable AbsnowTM device has demonstrated acceptable safety with no procedural complications. Notably, the high rate of residual shunt significantly affected its efficacy. The long-term safety and efficacy of the device should be further evaluated in a large cohort of patients in future studies.

No systematic comparative study has been conducted on the factors controlling organic matter enrichment in the different depositional environments of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in the western Middle Yangtze Block, leading to a large discrepancy in our understanding. Based on organic geochemical and elemental analyses of core, outcrop, rock, and mineral samples from the slope, deep-water shelf, and shallow-water shelf, in this study, comparative analysis of the organic matter content, sedimentological characteristics, and depositional paleoenvironments of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in the western Middle Yangtze Block was conducted, and the main controlling factors and models of the organic matter enrichment were investigated. The results revealed that the organic matter enrichment in the Qiongzhusi Formation was jointly controlled by redox conditions, water restriction, upwelling currents, terrigenous inputs, and paleo-productivity, but the main factors controlling the enrichment during the different periods were significantly different. (1) During the deposition of the Qiong 1 Member, the extensional rifting was strong, and the sea level was always high. The low degree of terrigenous dilution and anoxic conditions favored organic matter preservation. In this period, the upwelling currents were the main factor controlling organic matter enrichment. The paleo-productivity decreased as the intensity of the upwelling currents gradually weakened from the slope to the shelf, leading to a decrease in the total organic carbon (TOC) content and thereby a gradual decrease in the biogenic silica content of the shale. (2) During the deposition of the Qiong 2 Member, the extensional rifting weakened, and the sea level continued to drop. The upwelling currents, terrigenous input, and redox conditions were all important factors controlling the organic matter enrichment in the region. From the slope to the shelves, the conditions favorable for organic matter enrichment gradually worsened, and the TOC content gradually decreased, with the lithofacies gradually transitioning from biogenic siliceous shale to clayey shale or clayey-calcareous shale. (3) During the deposition of the Qiong 3 Member, the Yangzi Platform underwent a filling and leveling-up process, and the redox conditions played a major role in controlling the organic matter enrichment. The entire region was dominated by an oxygen-rich environment, and the conditions were no longer favorable for organic matter preservation, leading to a low average TOC content. Overall, the spatial variability of the TOC content was closely associated with changes in the depositional paleoenvironment caused by sea-level changes.

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop bearing fleshy pepo fruit harvested immature. Fruits left unpicked in time during summer production, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions during post-harvest shelf, will cause cucumber fruits to turn yellow and ripen, and thus impair the market value. Identification of maturity-related genes is of great agricultural and economic importance for cucumber production. Here, we isolated and characterized a MADS-box gene, Cucumis sativus SHATTERPROOF (CsSHP) in cucumber. Expression analysis indicated that CsSHP was specifically enriched in reproductive organs including stamens and carpels. Ectopic expression of CsSHP was unable to rescue the indehiscence silique phenotype of shp1 shp2 mutant plant in Arabidopsis. Instead, overexpression of CsSHP resulted in early flowering, precocious phenotypes, and capelloid organs in wild-type Arabidopsis. Biochemical analysis indicated that CsSHP directly interacted with cucumber SEPALLATA (SEP) proteins. CsSHP expression increased significantly during the yellowing stage of cucumber ripening, and was induced by exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA). Therefore, CsSHP may participate in fruit maturation through the ABA pathway and floral organ specification via interaction with CsSEPs to form protein complex in cucumber.

New antiviral therapy for pandemic influenza mediated by the H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) is increasingly in demand not only for the poultry industry but also for public health. Aptamers are confirmed to be promising candidates for treatment and prevention of influenza viral infections. Thus, we studied two DNA aptamers, A9 and B4, selected by capillary electrophoresis-based systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (CE-SELEX) procedure using H9N2 AIV purified haemagglutinin (HA) as target. Both aptamers had whole-virus binding affinity. Also, an enzyme-linked aptamer assay (ELAA) confirmed binding affinity and specificity against other AIV subtypes. Finally, we studied aptamer-inhibitory effects on H9N2 AIV infection in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and quantified viral load in supernatant and in cell with quantitative PCR (qPCR). Our data provide a foundation for future development of innovative anti-influenza drugs.

Purpose: The specific risk factors of metastatic and nonmetastatic esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) are still uncertain. Whether primary site surgery is necessary for all patients with esophageal NEC is unknown. Methods: Patients with esophageal NEC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2014 were selected. STATA 12 was used to analyze the clinical and pathological features of esophageal NEC. Results: In total, 241 patients with esophageal NEC were included. Metastatic patients had shorter overall survival than nonmetastatic patients (6.03 versus 11.90 months, respectively). Prognostic factors varied between metastatic and nonmetastatic esophageal NEC. The location of the primary tumor is a key point for the prognosis of esophageal NEC. For nonmetastatic esophageal NEC, patients with tumors in the upper third of the esophagus had the worst survival, and patients with metastatic esophageal NEC with a primary tumor in the lower part of the esophagus tended to have an increased risk of death. Moreover, age ≥68 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-3.31; P < 0.01) and large cell carcinoma (HR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.30-6.00; P < 0.01) were independent risk factors in patients with metastatic esophageal NEC. Primary site resection benefited patients with nonmetastatic esophageal NEC (HR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07-0.56; P < 0.01) rather than patients with metastatic esophageal NEC (HR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.29-2.83; P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study presented that primary tumor location is an important risk factor for nonmetastatic esophageal NEC patients. Age and pathological type are important risk factors for patients with metastatic esophageal NEC. Nonmetastatic esophageal NEC will benefit from primary tumor resection. Systematic treatment is recommended for metastatic esophageal NEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]