LONG HYPOCOTYL (CsLH), encoding the photoreceptor phytochrome B (PHYB), which we show has been subjected to selection during cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) domestication.Plant height is an important agronomic trait; tall plants are prone to collapse (lodging) and are unsuitable for high-density planting  mutant was previously identified as a light-dependent monogenic recessive mutant by Koornneef and van der Knaap (LH) and lh under dark  using their predicted protein sequences. CsaV3_3G015190 was more closely related to the Arabidopsis and tomato PHYBs than were the other cucumber PHY genes  in lh. This deletion disrupted the open reading frame (ORF), resulting in amino acid changes followed by a premature stop codon  and the lh mutant and then self-fertilized the F1 generation to obtain an F2 population. Based on resequencing data, we developed two SNP markers between 9930 and lh that flanked the CsLH gene: SNP_ chr03_11192318 and SNP_chr03_11332009. For each F2 plant, if the SNP genotype corresponded to 9930, it was marked as L; if the SNP genotype was that of lh, it was marked as l; if the SNP genotype was hybrid , it was marked as H. In the genotyping of 2000 F2 individuals, we found 508, three, and 963 seedlings that showed the L11192318 L11332009, L11192318H11332009, and H11192318H11332009genotypes for the two SNPs, respectively, of which all exhibited the short hypocotyl (< 10 cm) of the 9930 parent. Meanwhile, the 523 plants that possessed lh alleles for both SNPs (l11192318l11332009) had the same long hypocotyl (> 10 cm) as the lh parent  displayed reduced nucleotide diversity (π) in domesticated cucumber groups  compared with the Indian wild genotypes (INW)    between the domesticated groups and INW to identify differentially selected positions within each group. In EA, EU, and XSBN, a region subject to selection was identified in the first CsLH exon, specifically in the XSBN group, and it was evident that the entire N-terminus was under selection  haplotypes, we identified three main haplotypes with six sequence polymorphisms in the CsLH ORF , 9930 (EA background), and LH (EU background). XSI48 exhibited shorter hypocotyls than both 9930 and LH under light conditions ; and XIS48 (XSBN background) were used in this study. The parental line Chinese Long 9930 was backcrossed three times to the F1 offspring of the Chinese Long 9930 × XIS48 cross, then selfed once to generate the introgression line XSBN3.2. The genotype of XSBN3.2 is shown in Supplementary Table The cucumber inbred lines Chinese Long 9930 (EA background); n = 12). The seeds were sterilized and soaked in water for 3 h, then transferred into Petri dishes lined with wet filter paper at 28 °C for 2 d. The seeds were then sown in plastic pots filled with autoclaved soil. The temperature was maintained at 26–30 °C (day) and 18–22 °C (night). The daytime light intensity was 195.1 μmol·m− 2·s− 1 ppfd.The phenotypes of the XSBN3.2 seedlings were evaluated during the summer of 2020 . A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method.LH, lh, and XIS48 was extracted from leaves using a DNA isolation kit . Genome resequencing was performed as described previously , and their specificity was validated using a BLAST search on the cucumber reference genome , and cDNA was synthesized using a MultiScribe™ reverse transcriptase kit  according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Primers for semi-quantitative RT- PCR and qRT-PCR were designed based on the 7-bp deletion. Cucumber α-tubulin (TUA) was used as an internal control. The primers used are listed in Supplementary Table The target sequence was cloned from genomic DNA and sequenced to confirm a 7-bp deletion within the plh: CsLH construct, the promoter of CsLH was cloned from lh and inserted into the pEGAD vector between the StuI and PacI restriction sites. The predicted full-length CsLH cDNA was cloned and inserted into the same construct between the PacI and SmaI restriction sites. The primers used are listed in Supplementary Table Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain Agl-0 by electroporation and transformed into the cucumber lh mutant using a cotyledon transformation method with some modifications.To create the Resequencing data from 115 published cucumber accessions  were used for the analysis , and the significance of the differences between treatments was tested using Duncan’s test. All the analyses were carried out using Statistics Analysis System 15.1  for Windows.Additional file 1.Additional file 2.Additional file 3.


The phototransformation generated CH2Cl2, CO2 and Cl− as products. The utilization of the continuous extraction method coupled with in situ potentiometry enabled kinetic determinations of the reaction progress. Quantum yields of halide ion formation, ϕ(Cl−), larger than 1 were obtained in the presence of air. These findings, together with the occurrence of a post-irradiation Cl− formation, indicated that the photoreduction took place via a chain process. Reductions photoinitiated by swollen films exhibited ϕ(Cl−) values between 3 and 20 times higher than the reactions induced in solutions containing the two polymers. Also, the dependencies of ϕ(Cl−) on CHCl3 or HCO2− concentration diverged significantly from the trends observed using solutions. Most findings are consistent with the occurrence of a reaction mechanism involving SPEEK radicals, •CO2− and •CHCl2 as chain carriers.Thin cross-linked films containing sulfonated poly(ether etherketone), SPEEK, and poly, PVA, served as efficient photocatalysts for the reduction of CHCl Photosensitive organic polymers are important materials that can drive chemical transformations, employing electromagnetic radiation as the source of energy. These macromolecules, frequently called photopolymers, photocatalysts or photosensitizers have been the subject of recent interest because of their potential ability to initiate a variety of reactions by means of sunlight. Furthermore, they can be frequently bonded chemically to substrates, which enable facile separation of photogenerated products from the macromolecular sensitizer. The simplest synthetic route involves binding molecular chromophores to conventional macromolecular structures, enabling the preparation of materials responding to different regions of the solar spectrum . Another2C•OH, where ϕ = phenyl group, with a high efficiency  employed an ISE from Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA 02451, USA, and a Radiometer K601 mercurous sulfate reference electrode in conjunction with a Mettler Toledo SevenMulti S80 dual pH/ion meter. Prior to photolysis, 54 mL of the solutions was equilibrated in the dark under continuous stirring in sealed photochemical reactors. For experiments conducted without air, the solutions were bubbled with the desired gas for 20 min under stirring. Unless otherwise indicated, in most experiments 2 mL of CHClin 54 mL . Illumin2H] + [HCO2−] = 0.1–0.5 M, served as H-atom donors and also to maintain a constant ionic strength as required for potentiometric measurements. In experiments without HCO2−, this was achieved using a salt (NaClO4 or NaCH3CO2) with a concentration of 4 × 10−3 M. Most experiments were performed at least twice; deviations in the rates amounting to about 20% were routinely observed, which is typical for the heterogeneous polymer systems  evolution for illuminations in the presence of Ar and air. In air-free systems, the Cl− formation was slow and erratic during the first 10 min of irradiation, and the kinetic data were not reproducible. This period of time is known as the induction period and has been noticed in prior solution photoreductions of halomethanes [−] increased linearly with time for the duration of the illumination. In air-containing solutions, the induction period lasted for about 20 min of photolysis and also yielded minuscule and erratic changes in [Cl−]. At longer times, the photogeneration of halide ions was a linear function of time until about 80 min, but turned sublinear beyond that time. The occurrence of induction periods in systems involving reducing radicals originates from the partial scavenging of the reductants by O2 to form species unable to reduce halomethanes. The length of the induction period is related to the [O2]; extensive discussions about the relationship between induction period and [O2] for illuminated SPEEK/PVA blends have been presented previously  according to linear functions of time were observed after the induction period in all cases. Numerous photoreactions initiated by SPEEK/PVA blends exhibit zero-order rate laws of product formation [−]/dt, can be obtained from the slope of the linear [Cl−] increase. However, chloride ions generated inside the films experience subsequent dilution upon diffusion into the solution bulk. Thus, the reaction rate corrected for dilution (rc) was used to evaluate the quantum yield of Cl− generation, ϕ(Cl−) = rc/I0. The calculation of ϕ(Cl−) also requires a correction for I0, given that actinometry measures the number of photons entering the vessel, but only a small fraction of the photon flux is absorbed by the film. No simple procedure to correct I0 is available due, in part, to the highly nonsymmetrical shape of the photoreactor. Hence, the quantum yields reported here represent only the lower limits of the photoreaction efficiency.Portrayed in ormation ,11,12,17−) = 2.2, but the efficiency dropped to 1.71 under air. These findings clearly demonstrate that the CHCl3 photoreduction took place via a chain process, even when air was present. ϕ(Cl−) decreased to 1.2 upon the continuous bubbling of the swelling solution with air, and an even lower efficiency of 0.95 resulted in the presence of pure O2. The lowest efficiency (0.19) was obtained in experiments where both air and 0.1 mM H2O2 were present. The photolysis of films swollen in air-saturated solutions of ClO4− yielded ϕ(Cl−) = 0.2, which reflects the lower efficiency of HSPEEK• formation when HCO2− was absent. PVA was the only H-atom donor present in this system and the resulted polyol radical seemed to be a rather inefficient reductant. Substitution of ClO4− by CH3CO2− doubled the ϕ(Cl−) value, suggesting that acetate is a better H-atom donor than PVA. Illumination of SPEEK/PVA air-saturated solutions without the formate buffer induced reduction of O2 with a quantum yield of H2O2 formation equal to 0.02, but the efficiency increased 10 times when swollen films initiated the photoreaction  continued to rise in a fairly linear fashion during the dark periods. Initially, the slope of the linear [Cl−] increase without light was only slightly lower than that obtained under photolysis, but the rate of dark reaction decreased at longer times. While linear increases in [Cl−] were also noticed during post-irradiation experiments in air-saturated polymer solutions . This dependence is logical given that experiments without formate clearly demonstrated that efficient chain reductions took place only in the presence of this H-atom donor.olutions . A maxim3 present in the swelling solution. The data of −) remained constant at [CHCl3] below or equal to the solubility limit. However, a large and linear increase in ϕ(Cl−) ensued upon the introduction of excess halomethane. These findings differ vastly from the behavior of the CHCl3 photoreduction in SPEEK/PVA solutions [−) increased linearly at [CHCl3] ≤ 6.6 × 10−2 M (the solubility limit), and only small additional increases in efficiency occurred when excess halomethane was added. Obviously, the findings shown in 3 was able to contribute significantly to the photoreduction process.Illustrated in olutions . For the2Cl2 was only detected after the induction period. FTIR determinations confirmed the formation of CO2; oxalate ions were identified as products by means of IC. Efforts to detect H2O2 or CO were unsuccessful.GC/MS analysis was performed using headspace samples withdrawn from sealed photoreactors after illumination. CH3 reduction in air-saturated solutions. As demonstrated in an earlier solution study, the reduction involves photochemically generated HSPEEK•  = 0.26 mM and 1.3 mM upon saturation with oxygen  is implied. Since SPEEK is a polyelectrolyte containing SO3- and Na+ counterions, swollen SPEEK/PVA films behave in a fashion similar to cation-exchange membranes  >> [CHCl3], the generated •CO2− is anticipated to react preferentially with the polyketone instead of CHCl3, reforming HSPEEK• plus CO2. In this mechanism HSPEEK•, •CO2− and •CHCl2 are the chain carriers, while chain termination proceeds via radical–radical reactions. The radical–radical reaction of •CO2− generates oxalate ions  decreases significantly. They also mean that the lengthy induction period preceding Cl− formation originates from preferential HSPEEK• consumption via step 1 until a low steady state [O2] is reached. The k2 value is certainly a lower limit, given that the calculation employed the solubility limit of CHCl3. According to the results shown in 3 concentration inside the films is higher than that value.While the rate constant for these processes is not known, (CHM−1 s −1 . Althoug3 in the presence of air. In fact, the quantum yields determined under such conditions were higher than those measured in solutions without O2. A secondary reaction pathway for the transformation of CHCl3 was identified in the previous solution study yielding CO as a product [The findings of the present investigation demonstrated that SPEEK/PVA films can operate as efficient photocatalysts for the reduction of CHCl product , which m


Chiral edge states that propagate oppositely at two parallel strip edges are a hallmark feature of Chern insulators which were first proposed in the celebrated two-dimensional (2D) Haldane model. Subsequently, counterintuitive antichiral edge states that propagate in the same direction at two parallel strip edges were discovered in a 2D modified Haldane model. Recently, chiral surface states, the 2D extension of one-dimensional (1D) chiral edge states, have also been observed in a photonic analogue of a 3D Haldane model. However, despite many recent advances in antichiral edge states and chiral surface states, antichiral surface states, the 2D extension of 1D antichiral edge states, have never been realized in any physical system. Here, we report the experimental observation of antichiral surface states by constructing a 3D modified Haldane model in a magnetic Weyl photonic crystal with two pairs of frequency-shifted Weyl points (WPs). The 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal consists of gyromagnetic cylinders with opposite magnetization in different triangular sublattices of a 3D honeycomb lattice. Using microwave field-mapping measurements, unique properties of antichiral surface states have been observed directly, including the antichiral robust propagation, tilted surface dispersion, a single open Fermi arc connecting two projected WPs and a single Fermi loop winding around the surface Brillouin zone (BZ). These results extend the scope of antichiral topological states and enrich the family of magnetic Weyl semimetals. Here the authors report the first experimental observation of topological antichiral surface states by constructing a three-dimensional modified Haldane model in a magnetic Weyl photonic crystal. It has inspired the discovery of Chern insulators characterized by chiral edge states5 that propagate nonreciprocally and oppositely along two parallel strip edges, and the quantum spin Hall effect that can be interpreted as two overlaid Haldane models related by time-reversal symmetry7. The Haldane model and its robust chiral edge states have not only revolutionized condensed matter physics8, but also sparked the emerging field of topological photonics15 and topological acoustics20. Recently, by subtly reversing the next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) couplings in one triangular sublattice, the original 2D Haldane model is modified and the two Dirac points at K and K’ shift frequencies, giving rise to tiled edge dispersions connecting two frequency-shifted Dirac points and counterintuitive antichiral edge states that propagate in the same direction at opposite strip edges with gapless bulk states supplying the required counterpropagating modes25. Significantly, the discovery of antichiral edge states in the 2D modified Haldane model arises broad research interests and deeply enriches the realm of topological physics.Since its introduction in the 1980s, the landmarked 2D Haldane model26 was reported that behaves as 3D photonic Chern insulators or magnetic Weyl semimetals, depending on the time-reversal symmetry and inversion symmetry breaking strengths. Both 3D photonic Chern insulators28 and magnetic Weyl semimetals34 support robust chiral surface states that propagate nonreciprocally and oppositely along two parallel cuboid surfaces. Inspired by recent advances in antichiral edge states and chiral surface states, it is highly desirable and scientifically meaningful to realize topological antichiral surface states that propagate in the same direction along two parallel cuboid surfaces. However, antichiral surface states have never been reported (even in theory) in any physical system.More recently, a photonic analog of a 3D Haldane model25 to implement opposite magnetic fluxes on different sublattice sites A and B in a 3D honeycomb lattice, in stark contrast to the original 2D/3D Haldane model with the same magnetic fluxes on all sublattice sites26. The oppositely imposed magnetic fluxes on different triangular sublattices will shift the frequencies of two pairs of WPs and induce antichiral surface states with tiled Fermi arc surface dispersions that connect two frequency-shifted WPs, similar to the antichiral edge states in the 2D modified Haldane model. Using microwave near-field imaging measurements, we observe a unique photonic magnetic Weyl semimetal with two pairs of frequency-shifted WPs. Consequently, on two opposite and parallel surfaces of the magnetic Weyl photonic crystal, the Fermi arc surface states that connect two pairs of frequency-shifted WPs acquire titled dispersions and propagate nonreciprocally in the same direction, in contrast to the previously reported chiral surface states that propagate oppositely along two parallel cuboid surfaces28. More interestingly, we also demonstrate that this magnetic Weyl semimetal can host an evolution of surface state iso-frequency contour from a single open Fermi arc (the simplest Fermi arc configuration) connecting two projected WPs to a single surface Fermi loop35 winding around the surface BZ, and finally to a single Fermi arc connecting the other two projected WPs. To our knowledge, the topological antichiral surface states associated with two pairs of frequency-shifted WPs in a magnetic Weyl semimetal have never previously been explored.In this work, we report the experimental observation of antichiral surface states in a 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal, which incorporates gyromagnetic materials placed in external magnetic fields to break the time-reversal symmetry, based on a 3D modified Haldane model. More challengingly, we must adopt precise on-site modulation of magnetizationA and B sites are magnetized along −z and +z directions .We start with a 3D gyromagnetic photonic crystal featuring a gapless band structure with two pairs of frequency-shifted type-II WPs. The conceptual illustration of the 3D gyromagnetic photonic crystal with topological antichiral surface states (red and blue arrows) propagating nonreciprocally along the same direction on opposite surfaces is shown in Fig. 38 (marked by purple and orange spheres) because there exist no other trivial bands at the WPs frequency 8.22 GHz at momenta kx-ky plane with the varying of kz (see Supplementary Information for details). This band structure is different from all previously reported non-magnetic30 or magnetic34 Weyl semimetals, since the two pairs of WPs exhibit a significant frequency shift. Note that this novel phenomenon can only occur in a time-reversal-symmetry broken system under oppositely imposed magnetic fluxes on different sublattices A and B. Moreover, for each pair of WPs along the KH or K′H′ line, they carry opposite topological charges (Chern numbers) +1 and −1 . Due to the opposite magnetization directions and unequal interlayer couplings on sublattice sites A and B, the two opposite and parallel surfaces of the 3D gyromagnetic photonic crystal are distinct and denoted as A-type and B-type surfaces, respectively, as illustrated in Fig. xz plane depend significantly on the cutting position along the y direction . Due to the frequency shift of two WPs pairs, both Fermi arc surface state dispersions tilt along +kx direction with positive group velocities, indicating that two surface states on A-type and B-type surfaces propagate along the same direction and thus dubbed as antichiral surface states. To further identify the tilted antichiral surface state dispersions, we plot the frequency-dependent surface dispersion curves along kx direction with kz = 0π/h, kz = 0.38π/h, and kz = 1π/h, respectively, as shown in Fig. kz = 0π/h (kz = 1π/h), for the A-type surface, the bulk bandgap opens and the surface states (blue solid line) connect the projections of the lower (upper) bulk bands. By contrast, the situations are reversed for the B-type surface (red solid line). More interestingly, at kz = 0.38π/h, the projected bulk states of the first and second bands form two degenerate points at kx = 0.67π/a (at 7.85 GHz) and kx = 1.33π/a (at 8.22 GHz) which are exactly the surface projections of WPs. And the Fermi arc surface state dispersions of A-type (blue dashed line) and B-type (red dashed line) surfaces are degenerate and obliquely connect the two projected frequency-shifted WPs (W1+ and W2−), similar to that of the antichiral edge states connecting two projected frequency-shifted Dirac points in the 2D modified Haldane model25. The reason for the degeneracy of two antichiral surface states at fixed kz = 0.38π/h is because of the mirror symmetry in the 2D modified Haldane model .Figure Ez component) in the middle xz plane. After applying Fourier transform to the measured complex field distributions from real space to reciprocal space, we obtain the measured projected bulk band structure in the projected surface BZ , which is the simplest possible Fermi arc configuration, as shown in Fig. 1+ and W1- (upper projected WPs W2+ and W2-) and right bulk states (left bulk states) due to frequency shift of two WPs pairs, as shown in Fig. Next, we explore the unique topological antichiral surface states supported by this magnetic Weyl photonic crystal. We cover both A-type (010) and B-type ype Fig.  and B-tyype Fig.  surfaceskz slices for the A-type and B-type surfaces, respectively, in which the background color maps represent the measured results, the white (green) solid lines represent the simulated bulk (surface) dispersions, and the purple and orange dots represent the projections of WPs with opposite topological charges. We clearly observe the evolution of the Fermi arc surface state dispersions as a function of kz. At kz = 0π/h and kz = 1π/h, for the A-type surface, the projected bulk bandgap opens and the surface states connect the projections of the lower (upper) bulk bands, as shown in Fig. kz = 0.38π/h, for both the A-type  are consistent with the experimental results (background color maps).To further demonstrate the antichiral properties of topological surface states in the magnetic Weyl photonic crystal, Fig. see Fig.  and B-tysee Fig.  surfacesWe have theoretically proposed and experimentally observed topological antichiral surface states in a 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal which is a photonic analog of a 3D modified Haldane model. By introducing oppositely staggered magnetic fluxes at different sublattice sites of a 3D honeycomb lattice, we experimentally observe two pairs of ideal type-II WPs with a frequency shift, which is a previously unrevealed feature of magnetic Weyl semimetals, besides the robust chiral surface states and the simplest single open Fermi arc. We also provide the experimental demonstration that such frequency-shifted WPs pairs will lead to tilted antichiral surface state dispersions. The counterintuitive antichiral surface states that propagate along the same direction on opposite surfaces of the 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystals are experimentally verified by measuring their iso-frequency contours and surface state dispersions. As a new type of topologically protected robust one-way transport of electromagnetic waves in 3D space, topological antichiral surface states may lead to potential applications in innovative nonreciprocal photonic devices. Our work expands the landscape of magnetic Weyl semimetals and offers an ideal platform for the investigation of various unconventional physics in magnetic Weyl systems.x and z directions, and PEC boundary conditions along y direction. Both the copper plates and permanent magnets are modeled as PEC. The fully magnetized gyromagnetic materials have a permeability tensor given by z direction, γ = 1.759 × 1011 C/kg is the gyromagnetic ratio, α = 0.0088 is the damping coefficient, and ω is the operating frequency39. For the 0.115 T external magnetic field, the dispersions of the permeability tensor elements μm and μk are shown in Fig. All numerical results presented in this work are simulated with the RF module of COMSOL Multiphysics. The bulk band structure is simulated using a hexagonal unit cell with periodic boundary conditions in all directions. The A-type and B-type surfaces dispersions are calculated by adopting a 1 × 20 × 1 supercell and applying periodic boundary conditions along 25 along the vertical direction with interlayer couplings, as shown in Fig. A (red spheres) and B (blue spheres) which possess on-site energies of +M and −M, respectively. The intralayer couplings contain the nearest-neighbor (NN) coupling t1 (black solid lines) and NNN coupling t2exp(iϕ) (red and blue solid lines), and the NNN coupling t2exp(iϕ) directs inversely in sublattices A and B. The interlayer couplings are ta (purple dashed lines) for the A sublattice site and tb (orange dashed lines) for the B sublattice site, respectively. The Bloch Hamiltonian of this 3D modified Haldane model is given by a1, a2, a3) are the displacements from a B site to its three adjacent A sites, and b1 = a2−a3, b2 = a3−a1, b3 = a1−a2. As shown in Fig. kz, the surface state dispersions on A-type (blue curved sheet) and B-type (red curved sheet) surfaces are both tilted and exhibit an overall positive group velocity along +kx direction, indicating the Weyl surface states on both A-type and B-type surfaces propagate along the same direction.The proposed 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal can be qualitatively described by a 3D modified Haldane model. The 3D modified Haldane model is a layer-by-layer stacking of the 2D modified Haldane modelN segments, in a small segment from ki to ki+1 , the Berry phase is given by kz is given by C is obtained by counting the winding of kz goes from the south pole to the north pole of the sphere . In Fig. π to +π with a positive slope, indicating that its topological charge is +1, while for the WPs marked by purple sphere, the Berry phase winds one time from −π to +π with a negative slope, revealing that its topological charge is −1. The sign of topological charge depends on the slope of the Berry phase.By tracking the evolution of the Berry phase on a small sphere covering the WPs, we can calculate the topological charge (Chern numbers) of a WP which is a topological invariant of Weyl semimetals. For numerical calculation, the sphere needs to be discretized into a sequence of horizontal loops. We then calculate the Berry phase along the horizontal loops using the Wilson loop: each horizontal loop is divided into Ms = 1780 Gauss. Its permittivity and permeability are about εr = 14.3 + 0.003i and μr ≈ 1, which are essentially constant at microwave frequencies. The permanent magnets (Sm2Co17) are electroplated by nickel with a thickness of 0.002 mm. One pair of magnets provide an overall uniform external magnetic field of about 0.115 Tesla to magnetize the gyromagnetic rods. The metallic plates are perforated with air holes precisely using a laser cutting technique. To fix the positions of the sandwiched YIG rods and permanent magnets, we adopt the perforated dielectric foam (ROHACELL 31 HF) with relative permittivity 1.04 and loss tangent 0.0025. In the experimental measurements, two microwave dipole antennas function as source and probe are connected to a vector network analyzer (Keysight E5080). By inserting the probe into the air holes one by one and scanning along the z-direction in small steps, we can map the complex electric field distributions on the surfaces or within the bulk of the experimental sample. To obtain the projected bulk and surface band structures, 2D Fourier transformation was performed to the measured complex electric field distributions at each frequency.In the experiment, we adopt commercially available gyromagnetic materials (yttrium iron garnet (YIG) ferrites) and permanent magnets to break the time-reversal symmetry. The radius and height of YIG ferrites are 1.3 mm and 2 mm, respectively. The YIG ferrites have a saturation magnetization Supplementary InformationPeer Review File


N = 48 youth players participated in the diagnostic procedures . Participants were shown 54 videos which terminated when the central midfielder received a teammate's pass. Participants were then asked how to best continue playing. The subjective evaluation explored YA players' experiences with the diagnostic tool via quantitative ratings  and additional interviews. Diagnostic validity was examined in a balanced cross-sectional 2 × 2-design (performance level x age group) and prognostic validity in a 3-year prospective design. Sensitivity and case-by-case analyses completed the evaluation. The YA players provided positive quantitative ratings regarding their experienced immersion into the environment. Players’ qualitative feedback indicated general acceptance of the diagnostic tool as well as it offered recommendations for improvements. Confirming the diagnostic validity, ANOVA revealed significant main effects for performance level  and age group . Contributing to the prognostic validity, the diagnostic results discriminated between YA players achieving a higher and a lower adult performance level (“League 1–4” vs. “League 5 or below”) in adulthood . A ROC curve and the AUC showed that the correct assignment to the adult performance levels is possible with a 71% probability. YA players with a high decision-making accuracy had a six times higher chance of playing in “League 1–4”. The results demonstrated empirical evidence for the new diagnostic tool in terms of YA players' acceptance and validity coefficients exceeding effect sizes of former studies. The technology provides opportunities to test soccer-specific situations demanding an all-around view that were not testable in former experimental settings. Further technological advancements will enable the realization of improvements recommended by the players. Nonetheless, case-by-case analyses suggest caution in using such a diagnostic as a selection tool in talent development programs.Elite youth players’ decision-making skills are considered important predictors of adult performance in soccer. The presentation of 360° videos in head-mounted displays offers new potential for the diagnostic of these skills in talent development programs. This study evaluated a new diagnostic tool using soccer-specific 360° videos for assessing decision-making skills in youth academy (YA) players. The evaluation consisted of players' subjective feedback as well as the analysis of diagnostic and prognostic validity. It was hypothesized that high-level YA players achieve better diagnostic results than regional-level players, and U19 outperform U17 players. Moreover, YA players' diagnostic results should be positively associated with future adult performance level. During the 2018/19 season,  In complex sports like soccer, the identification of talents is often based on coaches' experience and judgements . In addidevelopment of a decision-making skills diagnostic tool is the ecological validity addressing the question “[h]ow well a test relates to actual sporting performance and matches the athletes real sporting context”  context” , p. 4. Hcontext” , 10. Thecontext”  suggestscontext” , 12. In context”  demonstrThe majority of empirical studies embedded within the Expert Performance Approach presented sport-specific stimuli on 2D video screens. This restricts a realistic presentation of the respective game-situation shown to the players in two ways: First, when filming real decision-making situations to create video stimuli only the environment within the corresponding camera recording angle is captured and, second, when engaged in the experiment participants' head movements do not correspond to a change in the visual field . As a reNew technologies such as 360° video footage and head-mounted displays (HMD) enable researchers to design laboratory settings that allow participants an all-around view of simulated soccer situations from a first-person perspective. According to Lindsay et al. , this 36Underlining the relevance of representative stimuli, studies using 360° VR tools (as a training tool) without a real motor response demonstrated positive effects for anticipation in cricket  and decievaluation of a new diagnostic tool should include players' subjective experiences during the diagnostic process as high level of acceptance and associated motivation increase the likelihood that players may perform at their best (The (ii) eir best . Althougeir best ].Further issues regarding the evaluation of new diagnostic tools are related to methodological topics of TID research such as psychometric requirements , study design features, or different perspectives of statistical analyses. As newly developed diagnostic tools may be used for estimating youth players' current as well as future performance level, such instruments should be evaluated using cross-sectional as well as prospective study designs. When planning evaluation studies, researchers should further consider that TID programs promote youth players on an already advanced performance level, and respective stakeholders aim to receive information to further differentiate these highly selected players. Thus, the evaluation of diagnostic tools used in TID must not be limited to the often-reported comparisons between experts and novices. Rather, a “restriction of the range of talent” , p. 13—a1.How do YA players evaluate the tool with the HMD-presented 360° videos concerning immersion and presence?2.Does the tool demonstrate diagnostic validity in terms of concurrent soccer performance level and age?3.Does the tool demonstrate prognostic validity regarding future success in adulthood?Objective 1 examines the acceptance and added value of the diagnostic setting from the viewpoint of YA players. Players' acceptance supports their motivation to achieve their best possible performance during the diagnostic procedures which is, from the perspective of practice-oriented research, essential for the implementation of a diagnostic tool in the “real world” (Objective 2), we hypothesize that YA players performing in the highest national league achieve better results in the decision-making skills diagnostic than regional league (RL) youth players, and that more experienced U19 players outperform less experienced U17 players. Moreover, evaluating the prognostic validity (Objective 3), we expect that YA players who will play at a higher adult level in the future achieve better diagnostic results than YA players who will play at a lower adult level.In summary, recent research indicates that soccer-specific 360° video stimuli presented in an HMD have the potential to provide more ecological valid stimuli for diagnostic tools assessing decision-making skills in soccer. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the psychometric properties  and more informal criteria such as players' subjective acceptance of the test procedure, influenced by a high degree of presence and appropriate immersion. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate a newly developed diagnostic tool using an HMD to present players 360° videos as an all-around simulation of soccer-specific situations from a central midfielder's perspective in a TID setting. As elite youth academy (YA) players of professional clubs are the target group for this diagnostic tool, the scientific evaluation was conducted in this high-performance context and addressed three research questions:l world” . ConcernN = 48 male youth soccer players of the U17 and U19 age groups participated in this study. The main sub-sample consisted of n = 24 elite YA players competing in the highest national league in their age groups (German Youth Bundesliga). The other sub-sample consisted of n = 24 RL players playing in the mid-level league “Bezirksliga” (4th German youth soccer league). The RL players represented the “intermediate” performance level for the evaluation of the diagnostic validity. Both sub-samples were of similar age  and had a similar age at the entry point into a soccer club . While objective 1 was addressed utilizing only YA players, objective 2 was evaluated within a balanced cross-sectional 2 × 2 design (age group x performance level) with each n = 12 players from a U19 YA (M = 17.67 ± 0.49 years), U17 YA (M = 16.55 ± 0.52 years), U19 RL (M = 18.08 ± 0.79 years) and U17 RL team (M = 16.00 ± 0.74 years).During the 2018/19 season, a total of 3-year-prospective design was implemented to evaluate the prognostic validity of the diagnostic tool (objective 3). YA players' future success was operationalized by determining their adult performance level in the 2021/2022 season. Information was found for 22 out of 24 players by searching on “transfermarkt.de”. It is likely that the two players not found either quit their careers or played in such a low league that their status was not documented. Using a median split approach, the variable “achieved adult league” was dichotomized to define the adult performance level “League 1–4” (n = 13) and “League 5 or below” .A The study was positively evaluated by the first author's university's ethics committee. Participants and their parents provided informed consent for the collection and scientific use of the data. As a precaution, individuals with previous epileptic attacks or cases of epilepsy in the family were excluded from participation.To develop the decision-making test, 27 scripted 6 vs. 6 sequences were filmed on one half of a soccer field with a 360° camera  using instructed players of a U19 German Youth Bundesliga team see . To ensuThe game sequences were presented in an HMD  as omnidirectional 4k video footage on the inside of a sphere that envelops the user's field of view. During the pass to the camera position, the ball was marked with one of three possible colored points for 500 ms. This was done based on experiences from pilot studies to avoid unnatural gaze behavior . After the ball reached the camera, the video terminated, and the image turned black. Each video lasted about 10 s.r = .78; split-half method, Spearman-Brown corrected). The decision-making test lasted about 45 min.After detailed instructions and four practice trials for familiarization, participants were asked to complete 54 test trials in two blocks (27 videos x 2 presentations). The presentation order of the video clips was pre-defined and while it differed between the blocks, it was kept identical for all participants. After each video termination, participants were required to respond verbally by stating the color mark on the ball and how they would best continue playing. Only if both statements were correct, the answers were also counted as “correct”. The percentage of correct decisions across the 54 trials was determined as the performance outcome (decision accuracy in %). A split-half reliability estimation revealed acceptable internal consistency for the assessment of this performance outcome  how they liked the setting, (b) whether they could imagine integrating VR-based training into their everyday life, and if so, in what form. Lastly, the players were asked (c) what they thought could be done to improve the setting. The questionnaire took approximately 5 min to complete, the subsequent interviews lasted about 10 min.quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 28 . To examine the criterion validity , one-tailed alpha levels for hypotheses testing were set at .05. Cohen's d and η2 served as effect sizes.The T-tests for paired and independent samples were performed to compare YA players' ratings between the items in the quantitative evaluation questionnaire (objective 1) and the adult performance levels regarding the performance in the diagnostic (objective 3). Considering the small sample sizes for these comparisons, inferential decisions were further secured by additional non-parametric testing . A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the diagnostic validity (objective 2) within the 2 × 2 design with the factors performance level (YA vs. RL) and age group (U19 vs. U17).Post hoc power analyses  and low statistical power for objective 3 (1-β = 60%) even if large effect sizes (d = .80) for the differences between each of the two considered groups were assumed in the investigated population. In addition to the inferential group-level analyses, descriptive single-case results were presented for a more detailed insight into the results.As small sample sizes are often found in expertise research , the staOR) that quantifies the strength of the relationship between the performance in the diagnostic and later adult success.A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was then utilized to illustrate the prognostic power in relation to all possible values of the true positive rate (sensitivity) and the false positive rate (1-specificity) . To estiqualitative data was analyzed utilizing a summative content analysis to describe and quantify players' statements  which is indicative of their general understanding of the 360° video simulations and the experimental test procedure. Aligning with these results, the diagnostic setting was positively evaluated by the 24 YA players with an average sum score of M = 3.95 (±0.54) across all items. Especially the first three questions were rated highly  ≤ 3.08; .005 ≤ p ≤ .021.; 0.70 ≤ d ≤ 1.39] with the exception of the second item pertaining to the involvement into the game situation. However, the latter was still significantly higher rated than question five “How much did you forget about the physical reality around you?” .Overall, YA players achieved a decision accuracy of n = 8), after training (n = 6), or before going to bed (n = 3). Some players could imagine using the tool during training or before a match, others only on the off day.Additionally, the analysis of the qualitative data suggested an overall consensus that completing the decision-making tasks presented in HMD was perceived as highly enjoyable by the YA players. Players pointed out that working with the diagnostic tool offered a change from everyday training, that they easily got immersed in the game situation, and that the pre-orientation task was easy to perform. While it should not take up too much time, all players stated that they would appreciate practicing and training their decision-making skills with an HMD. Often, one session per week with a maximum of 15 min was recommended. Regarding the appropriate timing of such additional training in their daily routine, players mentioned the time before training (n = 4). Further feedback was related to the improvement of the video quality (n = 4), and the availability of ambient sounds (n = 2). Few players would have liked to be able to move in the video environment or play a pass like in a real soccer match (n = 2). The limited field of view inside the HMD (≈110°) was hardly criticized (n = 1).Only a few players mentioned suggestions for improvement. Some players expressed the desire for more game situations including the perspectives of other playing positions  = 18.07, p < .001, η2 = .29] and age group . The larger performance level effect size is accompanied by superior diagnostic results of the U17 YA compared to the U19 RL players  = 0.12, p = .73].yers see . The perLeague 1–4M = 72.22% ± 7.52% vs. League 5 or belowM = 65.32% ± 9.66%; t(22) = −1.97; p < .05; d = 0.80]. The ROC curve resulted in an AUC = 0.71 indicating a 71% chance for a correct assignment of the YA players to the two adult performance levels based on the diagnostic results  = .52]. An optimal cut-point value of 0.71 was determined and resulted in OR = 6.00. Thus, YA players with 71% or more correct decisions had a six-times higher chance of reaching “League 1–4” in adulthood compared to players with fewer correct decisions.The prospective analyses demonstrated a significant difference in the decision accuracy between the 13 in adulthood more “successful” and the 11 less “successful” YA players . Moreovlayers U1. Additioprognostic validity: Thus, YA players who play 3 years later at a higher adult level (“League 1–4”) achieved better diagnostic results than YA players who play at a lower adult level (“League 5 or below”). The detected effect size (d = 0.80) should be noticed even more as a high-level and thus homogeneous sample of elite YA players (top 1% in Germany) was investigated over a mid-term prognostic period , the on average better performances of the U17 YA players compared to the two RL teams are mainly based on the test results of the best five players. Here, the top 4 players of the U17 YA performed on the level of the older top 4 players of the U19 YA. Regarding the prospective analysis (objective 3), the illustration of single-case performances revealed that the top 3 players of both future performance level achieved similar diagnostic results. Only from rank 4 onwards, the later “successful” players outperformed the “less successful” players.As for the further statistical perspectives, two additional analyses complemented the “traditional” group-based analysis of criterion validity in this study. First, sensitivity analysis indicated a probability of 71% of correct assignments to the future performance level. Moreover, YA players with good diagnostic results  had a six-times higher chance to play in one of the first four leagues in adulthood. ROC curve and AUC calculations have rarely been reported in sports science as indicators for sensitivity . Underlining the representativeness of the stimuli, players' subjective evaluation indicated high acceptance of and immersion in the setting. By creating more representative video stimuli, the present study addressed only one, albeit a very important, demand for more ecologically valid experimental settings , 9, 10. Perspectively, the development of 360° VR training tools for elite youth soccer seems promising but also still challenging. In other domains, such as surgery  or rehabFor future developments of 360° VR diagnostic and training tools, technological advancements regarding the field of view presented in the HMD, the additional recording of participants' eye movements and the use of computer-generated imagery for the stimuli creation may help to overcome some limitations of the present study caused by the technological standard existing at the time of data assessment for this study.HMD projections of 360° videos still have limitations regarding the restricted field of view (FOV). While healthy people's horizontal FOV is about 180° , the HTCConcerning the analysis level of this study, the evaluation focused on decision-making accuracy on the behavioral outcome level without addressing the underlying cognitive process level. HDM technologies with integrated eye-tracking systems enable the additional assessment of eye and gaze movements. Eye-tracking provides highly dimensional process data that can be analyzed by more complex statistical methods to gain new insights regarding eye movement-based expertise recognition. For example, in a study investigating soccer goalkeepers' decision-making skills in typical build-up situations, it was possible to assign the goalkeepers to the expert, intermediate, and novice performance levels with an accuracy of 78.20% based on eye-tracking data analyzed with machine learning algorithms . In addiComputer-generated imagery (CGI) techniques may provide an alternative to 360° videos for simulating decision-making tasks in HMD in the future and there are already tools available using these techniques . Options for importing positional tracking data of real soccer matches as well as the potential to implement motor responses by motion tracking systems in the experimental setting are promising perspectives offered by VR tools using CGI. The (compared to 360° video stimuli) technologically easier coupling of participants' motion tracking may enable interaction processes between the whole-body movements of the user and their CGI generated virtual environment. This may simulate perception-action coupling processes that are even more representative than potential perception-action coupling processes induced by head movements in this study. However, CGIs are so far still challenged to reproduce real biological movements for the players presented in the animation as human perception is extremely sensitive to the detection of these movements . Neverthr = .78), the study detected a performance level effect between elite and intermediate youth players (η2 = .29) and an age effect between U19 and U17 players (η2 = .14). Moreover, a noticeable effect size (d = 0.80) was found in the diagnostic results within elite YA players (top 1% in Germany) discriminating players that achieve different performance levels in adulthood 3 years post the assessment. Compared to former studies, the large effect sizes for the diagnostic and prognostic validity underline the assumption that (expertise) effects increase with more representative stimuli. Thus, the applied technology promises added value to 2D video screen projections for practitioners' and sport scientists' examination of youth players' decision-making skills.This study demonstrated empirical evidence for a diagnostic tool using soccer-specific 360° videos presented in an HDM. Going beyond former studies using 2D screen projections, this new diagnostic tool provided participants with a game-like “all-around view” from the viewing perspective of a central midfield player. YA players' subjective feedback demonstrated players' general acceptance of the use of such a tool in an elite youth academy. Based upon sufficient psychometric reliability  could also be considered in laboratory settings. Furthermore, future technological advancements will enable the realization of improvements recommended by the players as well as the assessment of underlying cognitive processes (eye-tracking) or more comprehensive perception-action coupling processes within VR stimuli generated by CGI.From a TID research perspective, these results should not be overinterpreted as a foundation for a “selection tool” in talent identification. The single-case analyses presented in this study demonstrated that some players with good diagnostic results were not successful 3 years later, whereas some other players with worse results did achieve high adult performance level. Because of these always existing “false positive” and “false negative” diagnostic results, caution is suggested in using such a diagnostic as a selection tool in TID programs , 67. Rat


Recent studies have demonstrated that kinetochore-associated protein 1 (KNTC1) plays a significant role in the carcinogenesis of numerous types of cancer. This study aimed to explore the role and possible mechanisms of KNTC1 in the development of pancreatic cancer.We analyzed differentially expressed genes by RNA sequencing in three paired pancreatic cancer and para-cancerous tissue samples and found that the expression of KNTC1 was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer. A Cancer and Tumor Gene Map pan-analysis showed that high expression of KNTC1 was related to poor prognosis in 9499 tumor samples. With immunohistochemical staining, we found that the high expression of KNTC1 in pancreatic cancer was related to pathological grade and clinical prognosis. Similarly, RT-PCR results indicated that the expression of KNTC1 was higher in three groups of pancreatic cancer cell lines  than in normal pancreatic ductal cells. We introduced lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting KNTC1 into PANC-1 and SW1990 cells and found that KNTC1 knockdown significantly decreased cell growth and increased cell apoptosis compared to the control group cells. Bioinformatic analysis of the cell expression profile revealed that differential genes were mainly enriched in the cell cycle, mitosis, and STAT3 signaling pathways, and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed an interaction between KNTC1 and cell division cycle associated 8.KNTC1 could be linked to the pathophysiology of pancreatic cancer and may be an early diagnostic marker of cervical precancerous lesions. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most intractable malignant tumors, with a high degree of malignancy, poor prognosis, and 5 year overall survival rate of ~ 9%  is an evolutionarily conserved subunit of the centromere protein complex that is essential for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation  was performed to clarify the role of KNTC1 in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis and to infer the potential mechanism.The pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990, PANC-1, and BxPC-3 and normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells HPDE were purchased from the cell bank of the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences . These cell lines were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 100 IU/ml penicillin at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2. Three paired human pancreatic and para-cancerous tissue samples were obtained from patients who underwent surgical resection at the Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from 2013 to 2015. Tissue samples were histopathologically and clinically diagnosed. The samples were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at − 80 °C until use. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and informed consent was obtained from all of the patients.p value, and used the Benjamini–Hochberg method to correct the significant difference level (FDR). The screening criteria for genes with significant differences were as follows: change in expression level > 2 and FDR < 0.05.Total RNA was isolated from tissues using an RNeasy kit . The integrity of each RNA sample was confirmed by post-extraction denaturing  agarose gel electrophoresis. The three paired samples were analyzed using RNA-seq and then subjected to a differential gene analysis. We used the linear model based on empirical Bayesian distribution to calculate the significant difference level p < 0.05 as the threshold. GO term analysis was classified into three subgroups: biological process (BP), cellular component (CC), and molecular function (MF). All the DEGs were mapped to the KEGG database and searched for significantly enriched KEGG pathways at p < 0.05.For functional enrichment analysis, all DEGs were mapped to terms in the GO databases, and the significantly enriched GO terms were searched for among the DEGs using https://tcgamurdata.nci.nih.Govpool/). The original sequencing data were standardized and screened, and 9499 tumor samples were collected, all of which were associated with KNTC1 gene expression data and complete clinical records. The relationship between KNTC1 expression and the total survival time of patients with pan-cancer was evaluated using an online tool. The total survival time was defined as the time from pan-cancer diagnosis to death.The gene expression data and clinical information used in this study can be found on the Cancer and Tumor Gene Map (TCGA) database  and the staining intensity . The overall staining scores were determined as the product of the frequency and intensity scores. An immunohistochemical score > 6 was defined as high expression and a score ≤ 6 was considered low expression.Total RNA was isolated from cell pellets using TRIzol  according to the manufacturer’s protocol. The concentration and purity of the total RNA were determined using a NanoDmp 2000 spectrophotometer . cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription using a PrimeScript RT reagent Kit , and then amplified by SYBR Premix Ex Taq II . The experiment was performed according to product specifications. The specific primers used were: KNTC1, forward 5′-ACCTGAGTGTCGGTTCAAGAA-3′ and reverse 5′-ACCTGAGTGTCGGTTCAAGAA-3′; GAPDH, forward 5′-TGACTTCAACAGCGACACCCACAMUR-3′ and reverse 5′-CACCCTGTTGCTGTAGCCAAA-3′. RT-qPCR was performed with an initial denaturation step at 95 ℃ for 15 s, followed by cycles at 95 ℃ for 5 s and 60 ℃ for 30 s. The experimental results were analyzed using the 2-CT method.The KNTC1-targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence (5'-TGAGTTTATGGGATATTTA-3') was designed by Shanghai GeneChem . The shRNA sequences were synthesized and cloned into a pGCSIL‑green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentiviral vector by Shanghai GeneChem. The nonsense shRNA (5'-TTCTCCGAACGTGTCACGT-3'), which shared no homology with any known human genes, was generated as a negative control (NC) (Shanghai GeneChem). Recombinant lentiviral transduction pancreatic cancer cells were seeded into six‑well plates until cell confluence reached 70%, and were then infected with the KNTC1–shRNA–lentivirus or the NC lentivirus at a multiplicity of infection of 50. Transduction effects were determined by detecting GFP expression 24–72 h post‑transduction using fluorescence and light microscopy. Cells were harvested 72 h post-transduction, and the knockdown effect was confirmed with RT‑qPCR and western blot analysis.x-axis and the ratio of the absorbance difference between the experimental group and the blank control group to the absorbance value on the first day as the y-axis.Pancreatic cancer cells in the logarithmic growth phase were inoculated in 96-well plates at 4 × 103 cells per well and measured every 24 h for 4 d. We added 100 μL DMEM and 10 μL CCK8  to each well 1 h before the termination of the experiment, reading the optical density (OD) at 450 nm with a BioTeK Synergy H1 plate reader . The cell growth curve was estimated for each group with cell growth time as the Human pancreatic cancer cells in the logarithmic growth phase were cultured by flow cytometry and inoculated in six-well plates at 2 × 104 cells per well for 5 d. Apoptosis was detected using an annexin V-FITC/ propidium iodide (PI) Apoptosis Detection Kit . The resuspended cells were stained with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using PI as a fluorescent dye, the percentage of cells at different stages of division was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The cell suspension was then added to the prepared PI staining solution (500 μL) and incubated in the dark for 30 min. Finally, the cell suspension was analyzed by flow cytometry.Total cellular protein was extracted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Protein concentration was measured using the Bradford protein assay . The membrane was separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), transferred to a polyvinylidene fluoride and PVDF membrane, and treated with a monoclonal antibody  overnight at 4 ℃. Then, membranes were incubated with the appropriate secondary antibody for 1 h at room temperature. Finally, Protein bands were detected using the chemiluminescence detection system .To extract total protein, we used 500 μg of a cleavage solution  with agarose beads pre-washed at 4 ℃ for 1 h, which was incubated overnight with specific primary antibody or normal control IgG at 4 ℃. After capturing the antigen–antibody complex, the agarose beads were collected by centrifugation, rinsed with PBS 3 times, boiled with 125 μL of 5 × SDS buffer for 5 min, and the corresponding proteins were detected by routine western blotting.www.r-project.org). Two-tailed unpaired Student’s t tests were used to compare differences between the groups. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between KNTC1 expression and the corresponding clinicopathological characteristics. The survival curve was plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using a log-rank test. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.All of the experiments were repeated at least three times. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0  and R version 4.1.2  Fig. . Thus, hWe determined the expression levels of KNTC1 in three human pancreatic cancer cell lines . We found that KNTC1 expression levels were significantly upregulated in the pancreatic cancer cell lines compared to normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cells. To explore the role of KNTC1 knockdown in the biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells, lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting KNTC1 was introduced into PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. We evaluated cell proliferation using the CCK8 assay, which showed that KNTC1 knockdown significantly inhibited the viability of PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. To confirm that apoptosis was induced by KNTC1 knockdown, we performed annexin V staining using Flow cytometry. The level of apoptosis in the KNTC1 group was higher than that in the sham group  and control groups. Classical signal pathway enrichment of GO, KEGG, and co-expression gene analysis were performed. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in the cell cycle, mitosis, and STAT3 signaling pathways. We confirmed the interaction between KNTC1 and cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) by immunoprecipitation, which indicates that KNTC1 interacts with CDCA8 in pancreatic cancer Fig. .Fig. 4ClCell division is a series of precisely ordered processes that are regulated by several mechanisms, such as cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases  than in normal pancreatic ductal cells. We also found that KNTC1–shRNA-transduced cells exhibited reduced cell growth and viability compared to the control group. In addition, KNTC1 knockout increased apoptosis in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. Bioinformatic analysis of KNTC1-knockout cells showed that differential genes were mainly enriched in the cell cycle, mitosis, and STAT3 signaling pathways, and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between KNTC1 and CDCA8.CDCA8, which is regulated by the cell cycle, is an important part of the centromere protein complex, which is necessary for chromatin-induced microtubule stability and spindle formation (Qi et al. In summary, we found that high expression of KNTC1 in pancreatic cancer was related to pathological grade and clinical prognosis. Knocking down KNTC1 inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer and promoted apoptosis. Further analysis revealed the interaction of KNTC1 and CDCA8 in the regulation of the cell cycle. However, the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear.


Advanced and metastatic prostate cancer is often incurable, but its dependency on certain molecular alterations may provide the basis for targeted therapies. A growing body of research has demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is amplified as prostate cancer progresses. PPARγ has been shown to support prostate cancer growth through its roles in fatty acid synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and co-operating with androgen receptor signalling. Interestingly, splice variants of PPARγ may have differing and contrasting roles. PPARγ itself is a highly druggable target, with agonists having been used for the past two decades in treating diabetes. However, side effects associated with these compounds have currently limited clinical use of these drugs in prostate cancer. Further understanding of PPARγ and novel techniques to target it, may provide therapies for advanced prostate cancer. Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the developed world . While tThe aetiology of PC is ill-defined and, due to the highly heterogenous nature of this disease, identifying true drivers of PC remains challenging. For this reason, for the vast majority of patients, the only targeted treatment available is androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), which inhibits androgen receptor (AR) activity . HoweverPC growth is intrinsically linked to fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis . Many kePeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily . There aPPARs function by binding DNA elements called PPAR response elements (PPREs) and promoting gene expression of the adjacent genes . This PPPPARγ’s most well-defined role is as a master regulator of adipogenesis, where it controls lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity , 10. PPAPPARγ has two well-studied splice variants in PC, PPARγ1 and PPARγ2  null PC murine model led to an acceleration in prostate tumourigenesis and increased tumour weight at clinical endpoint .–54.51–54As PPARγ2 has an additional 30 amino acids in its N-terminal compared to PPARγ1, it has been observed to have its own specific polymorphisms in that region with codon 12 having a missense mutation causing a substitution of proline to alanine. This polymorphism has an estimated frequency of 0.12 in a random Caucasian population . This PrThese findings appear consistent in showing that total PPARγ levels increases from BPH to PIN to PC and increase with Gleason grade. Further investigation into the changes PPARγ variants between these stages will improve our understanding of the interplay of these variants in PC.Obese men (body mass index >30) with PC have a higher PC-specific morality as well as a higher all-cause mortality when compared to ‘normal weight’ men (body mass index <25) , 60. WhiOne study utilised an in vivo murine model, where mice were fed a diet rich in saturated fatty acids, compared to a poly-unsaturated fatty acid diet . SaturatThese studies may therefore implicate PPARγ in being effector, by which a saturated fatty acid rich diet can elevate mortality. However, as both saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids have been identified as ligands of PPARγ this could also suggest a differential response in a ligand-dependent manner , 14, 15.PPARγ was first identified in 1994 and TZDs rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were marketed in 1999 for treatment of T2DM –68. SincClinical data confirms that PPARγ levels rise as PC develops, and PC can develop a dependency on PPARγ for lipogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis, particularly in vivo. This may suggest that antagonism against PPARγ may be a viable therapeutic option for inhibiting PC development. PPARγ antagonists such as betulinic acid have been developed and used in murine models as potential therapies for diabetes which avoid the side-effects associated with PPARγ antagonism . Small mWe have also demonstrated the use of PPARγ antagonist GW9662 as an inhibitor of PC growth . Use of These data suggest that antagonism of PPARγ may provide a therapeutic target for PC, particularly the advanced stages which seem to become increasingly reliant on its activity. Due to the apparent different roles of the PPARγ variants in PC, therapeutics which specifically target different isoforms may also have a profound effect on PC. This would allow the inhibition of oncogenic PPARγ1 signalling while retaining any tumour suppressing activity of PPARGγ2. Further research into PPARγ antagonism, and the interactions of PPARγ variants will elucidate the next steps in exploiting PC dependency on PPARγ.


A 32-year-old man presented to the outpatient department with 2 years of progressive right lower extremity weakness and numbness associated with bowel and urinary dysfunction. He had undergone surgical removal of hepatic echinococcosis about 28 years ago without anti-parasitic chemotherapy. Physical examination revealed a mass in the right buttock , a lump The patient underwent surgical treatment  and was ,Echinococcosis is relatively common in the liver (∼70%) and lung (∼20–30%) but rarely affects the spine (∼0.2–1%).