A topological meron features a non-coplanar structure, whose order parameters in the core region are perpendicular to those near the perimeter. A meron is half of a skyrmion, and both have potential ...applications for information carrying and storage. Although merons and skyrmions in ferromagnetic materials can be readily obtained via inter-spin interactions, their behaviour and even existence in ferroelectric materials are still elusive. Here we observe using electron microscopy not only the atomic morphology of merons with a topological charge of 1/2, but also a periodic meron lattice in ultrathin PbTiO
films under tensile epitaxial strain on a SmScO
substrate. Phase-field simulations rationalize the formation of merons for which an epitaxial strain, as a single alterable parameter, plays a critical role in the coupling of lattice and charge. This study suggests that by engineering strain at the nanoscale it should be possible to fabricate topological polar textures, which in turn could facilitate the development of nanoscale ferroelectric devices.
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FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
High tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) is correlated with enhanced objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) for certain cancers receiving immunotherapy. This study aimed to ...investigate the safety and efficacy of toripalimab, a humanized programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody, in advanced gastric cancer (AGC), and the predictive survival benefit of TMB and PD-L1.
We reported on the AGC cohort of phase Ib/II trial evaluating the safety and activity of toripalimab in patients with AGC, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In cohort 1, 58 chemo-refractory AGC patients received toripalimab (3 mg/kg d1, Q2W) as a monotherapy. In cohort 2, 18 chemotherapy-naive AGC patients received toripalimab (360 mg d1, Q3W) with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 qd, d1, capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 b.i.d., d1–d14, Q3W as first-line treatment. Primary end point was ORR. Biomarkers such as PD-L1 and TMB were evaluated for correlation with clinical efficacy.
In cohort 1, the ORR was 12.1% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 39.7%. Median PFS was 1.9 months and median OS was 4.8 months. The TMB-H group showed significant superior OS than the TMB-L group 14.6 versus 4.0 months, HR = 0.48 (96% CI 0.24–0.96), P = 0.038, while PD-L1 overexpression did not correlate with significant survival benefit. A 77.6% of patients experienced at least one treatment-related adverse event (TRAE), and 22.4% of patients experienced a grade 3 or higher TRAE. In cohort 2, the ORR was 66.7% and the DCR was 88.9%. A 94.4% of patients experienced at least one TRAE and 38.9% of patients experienced grade 3 or higher TRAEs.
Toripalimab has demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising antitumor activity in AGC patients, especially in combination with XELOX. High TMB may be a predictive marker for OS of AGC patients receiving toripalimab as a single agent.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02915432.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
ABSTRACT
High time resolution and accuracy are of critical importance in the studies of timing analysis and time delay localization of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) and ...pulsars. The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) consisting of two micro-satellites, GECAM-A and GECAM-B, launched on 2020 December 10, is aimed at monitoring and locating X-ray and GRBs all over the sky. To achieve its scientific goals, GECAM is designed to have the highest time resolution (0.1 $\mu {\rm s}$) among all GRB detectors ever flown. Here, we make a comprehensive time calibration campaign including both on-ground and on-orbit tests to derive not only the relative time accuracy of GECAM satellites and detectors, but also the absolute time accuracy of GECAM-B. Using the on-ground calibration with a $\rm ^{22}Na$ radioactive source, we find that the relative time accuracy between GECAM-A and GECAM-B is about 0.15 $\mu {\rm s}$ (1σ). To measure the relative time accuracy between all detectors of a single GECAM satellite, cosmic-ray events detected on orbit are utilized since they could produce many secondary particles simultaneously record by multiple detectors. We find that the relative time accuracy among all detectors onboard GECAM-B is about 0.12 $\mu {\rm s}$ (1σ). Finally, we use the novel Li-CCF method to perform the absolute time calibration with Crab pulsar and SGR J1935+2154, both of which were jointly observed by GECAM-B and Fermi/GBM, and obtain that the time difference between GECAM-B and Fermi/GBM is 3.06 ± 6.04 $\mu {\rm s}$ (1σ).
AIMS: The influence of bacterial species/strains in agitated culture was investigated on the morphology and structure characteristics of bacterial cellulose. METHODS AND RESULTS: Komagataeibacter ...nataicola Y19 and Gluconacetobacter entanii ACCC10215 were inoculated in Hestrin–Schramm (HS) medium and subjected to agitated cultivation. Different kinds of BCs were obtained including flocky asterisk‐like BC by G. entanii ACCC10215 and solid sphere‐like BC by K. nataicola Y19. The SEM results showed that the asterisk‐like BC had larger pores than the solid sphere‐like BC. The FT‐IR and X‐ray diffraction results showed the asterisk‐like BC had lower crystallinity (81·43%), higher cellulose Iα mass fraction (79·74%) and smaller crystallite size. CONCLUSIONS: The different species/strains can influence the morphology and structure characteristics of BC in agitated culture. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We examined the influence of different species/strains on the morphology, macro‐ and microstructure of BCs produced in agitated culture for the first time, which suggest that different BCs with potential applications could be obtained by choosing different species or strains and fermentation method.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Although significant advances have recently been made in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical carcinoma, the long-term survival rate for advanced cervical cancer remains low. Therefore, an urgent ...need exists to both uncover the molecular mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cervical cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in cancer progression and could be used as either potential therapeutic agents or targets. miR-506 is a component of an X chromosome-linked miRNA cluster. The biological functions of miR-506 have not been well established. In this study, we found that miR-506 expression was downregulated in approximately 80% of the cervical cancer samples examined and inversely correlated with the expression of Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in human cervical cancer, Caski and SiHa cells, demonstrated that miR-506 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cervical cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. Further studies showed that miR-506 induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition, and enhanced apoptosis and chemosensitivity of cervical cancer cell. We subsequently identified Gli3, a hedgehog pathway transcription factor, as a direct target of miR-506 in cervical cancer. Furthermore, Gli3 silencing recapitulated the effects of miR-506, and reintroduction of Gli3 abrogated miR-506-induced cell growth arrest and apoptosis. Taken together, we conclude that miR-506 exerts its anti-proliferative function by directly targeting Gli3. This newly identified miR-506/Gli3 axis provides further insight into the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and indicates a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of cervical cancer.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
We report the discovery of a new unidentified extended
γ
-ray source in the Galactic plane named LHAASO J0341+5258 with a pretrial significance of 8.2 standard deviations above 25 TeV. The ...best-fit position is R.A. = 55.°34 ± 0.°11 and decl. = 52.°97 ± 0.°07. The angular size of LHAASO J0341+5258 is 0.°29 ± 0.°06
stat
± 0.°02
sys
. The flux above 25 TeV is about 20% of the flux of the Crab Nebula. Although a power-law fit of the spectrum from 10 to 200 TeV with the photon index
α
= 2.98 ± 0.19
stat
± 0.02
sys
is not excluded, the LHAASO data together with the flux upper limit at 10 GeV set by the Fermi-LAT observation, indicate a noticeable steepening of an initially hard power-law spectrum with a cutoff at ≈50 TeV. We briefly discuss the origin of ultra-high-energy gamma rays. The lack of an energetic pulsar and a young supernova remnant inside or in the vicinity of LHAASO J0341+5258 challenge, but do not exclude, both the leptonic and hadronic scenarios of gamma-ray production.
Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are more frequent in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Due to limited access to leptomeningeal lesions, the ...purpose of this study was to explore the potential role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a source of liquid biopsy in patients with LM.
Primary tumor, CSF, and plasma in NSCLC with LM were tested by next-generation sequencing. In total, 45 patients with suspected LM underwent lumbar puncture, and those with EGFR mutations diagnosed with LM were enrolled.
A total of 28 patients were enrolled in this cohort; CSF and plasma were available in 26 patients, respectively. Driver genes were detected in 100% (26/26), 84.6% (22/26), and 73.1% (19/26) of samples comprising CSF cell-free DNA (cfDNA), CSF precipitates, and plasma, respectively; 92.3% (24/26) of patients had much higher allele fractions in CSF cfDNA than the other two media. Unique genetic profiles were captured in CSF cfDNA compared with those in plasma and primary tissue. Multiple copy number variations (CNVs) were mainly identified in CSF cfDNA, and MET copy number gain identified in 47.8% (11/23) of patients was the most frequent one, while other CNVs included ERBB2, KRAS, ALK, and MYC. Moreover, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of TP53 was identified in 73.1% (19/26) CSF cfDNA, which was much higher than that in plasma (2/26, 7.7%; P<0.001). There was a trend towards a higher frequency of concomitant resistance mutations in patients with TP53 LOH than those without (70.6% versus 33.3%; P=0.162). EGFR T790M was identified in CSF cfDNA of 30.4% (7/23) of patients who experienced TKI progression.
CSF cfDNA could reveal the unique genetic profiles of LM and should be considered as the most representative liquid biopsy medium for LM in EGFR-mutant NSCLC.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The atomic dispersing of metal atoms supported on an optimal substrate exhibits an ideal strategy for maximizing metal utilization for catalysis, which is particularly significant for exploiting new ...catalysts with low cost and high catalytic efficiency. The dramatic development of atomic metal catalysts, including single atom catalysts (SACs), double atoms catalysts (DACs), and triple atoms catalysts (TACs), has spawned two remarkable platforms: (1) bridging homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts; (2) linking theoretical calculations and experimental results. In this review, recent syntheses, characterizations, and applications of SACs, DACs, and TACs are highlighted through a focus on various applied substrates. We extensively discuss the synthetic strategies of successfully achieving SACs, DACs, and TACs. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges in developing SACs, DACs, and TACs are pointed out, together with the prospects for the development of atomic catalysis.
SACs, DACs, and TACs, heterogeneous catalysts with the advantages of homogeneous catalysts, are ideal models for exploring catalytic mechanisms and further designing catalysts.
In this Letter, we present a spectacular eruptive flare (X8.2) associated with a coronal mass ejection on 2017 September 10 at the west limb of the Sun. A flux rope eruption is followed by the ...inflow, the formation of a current sheet, and a cusp structure, which were simultaneously observed during the occurrence of this flare. The hierarchical layers of the cusp-shaped structure are well observed in 131 observation. The scenario that can be created from these observations is very consistent with the predictions of some eruptive models. Except for the characteristics mentioned above in the process of the flare predicted by classical eruption models, the current sheet separating into several small current sheets is also observed at the final stage of the flux rope eruption. The quantitative calculation of the velocities and accelerations of the inflow, hot cusp structure, and post-flare loops is presented. The width of the current sheet is estimated to be about 3 × 103 km. These observations are very useful in understanding the process of solar eruptions.
The intrinsic magnetic topological insulatorMnBi2Te4exhibits rich topological effects such as quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion electrodynamics. Here, by combining the use of synchrotron and ...laser light sources, we carry out comprehensive and high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy studies onMnBi2Te4and clearly identify its topological electronic structure. In contrast to theoretical predictions and previous studies, we observe topological surface states with diminished gap forming a characteristic Dirac cone. We argue that the topological surface states are mediated by multidomains of different magnetization orientations. In addition, the temperature evolution of the energy bands clearly reveals their interplay with the magnetic phase transition by showing interesting differences between the bulk and surface states, respectively. The investigation of the detailed electronic structure ofMnBi2Te4and its temperature evolution provides important insight into not only the exotic properties ofMnBi2Te4, but also the generic understanding of the interplay between magnetism and topological electronic structure in magnetic topological quantum materials.
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CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK