Transparent p-type copper aluminum oxide (Cu–Al–O) semiconducting thin films, with Cu∕Al atomic ratios ranging from 1.0 to 4.3, were deposited by plasma-enhanced metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition. The films were grown on z-cut single-crystal quartz substrates, at a substrate temperature of 450°C. Crystalline CuAlO2 was found dominant in the films, including small amounts of CuAl2O4, Al2O3, and amorphous Cu2O. The effect of varying Cu∕Al ratio on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the films were studied by x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and Seebeck technique, and discussed. We were able to optimize the Cu∕Al ratio for the p-type conductivity and transmittance in copper aluminum oxide thin films, and the best conductive film, with a room-temperature conductivity of 0.289Scm−1 and a transparency of 80%, was found to have a Cu∕Al ratio of 1.4±0.3. In addition, the mechanism of the p-type conduction of copper aluminum oxide was discussed.

DNA methylation serves as a vital component of restriction-modification (R-M) systems in bacteria, where it plays a crucial role in defense against foreign DNA. Recent studies revealed that DNA methylation has a global impact on gene expression. Deinococcus radiodurans , an ideal model organism for studying DNA repair and genomic stability, possesses unparalleled resistance to DNA-damaging agents such as irradiation and strong oxidation. However, details on the methylome of this bacterium remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that N 4 -cytosine is the major methylated form (4mC) in D. radiodurans . A novel methylated motif, “C 4m CGCGG” was identified that was fully attributed to M.DraR1 methyltransferase. M.DraR1 can specifically bind and methylate the second cytosine at N 4 atom of “CCGCGG” motif, preventing its digestion by a cognate restriction endonuclease. Cells deficient in 4mC modification displayed higher spontaneous rifampin mutation frequency and enhanced DNA recombination and transformation efficiency. And genes involved in the maintenance of genomic stability were differentially expressed in conjunction with the loss of M.DraR1. This study provides evidence that N 4 -cytosine DNA methylation contributes to genomic stability of D. radiodurans and lays the foundation for further research on the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by R-M systems in bacteria.

Molybdenum ions are covalently bound to molybdenum pterin (MPT) to produce molybdenum cofactor (Moco), a compound essential for the catalytic activity of molybdenum enzymes, which is involved in a variety of biological functions. MoaE is the large subunit of MPT synthase and plays a key role in Moco synthesis. Here, we investigated the function of MoaE in Deinococcus radiodurans (DrMoaE) in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that the protein contributed to the extreme resistance of D. radiodurans. The crystal structure of DrMoaE was determined by 1.9 Å resolution. DrMoaE was shown to be a dimer and the dimerization disappeared after Arg110 had been mutated. The deletion of drmoaE resulted in sensitivity to DNA damage stress and a slower growth rate in D. radiodurans. The increase in drmoaE transcript levels the and accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels under oxidative stress suggested that it was involved in the antioxidant process in D. radiodurans. In addition, treatment with the base analog 6-hydroxyaminopurine decreased survival and increased intracellular mutation rates in drmoaE deletion mutant strains. Our results reveal that MoaE plays a role in response to external stress mainly through oxidative stress resistance mechanisms in D. radiodurans.

Introduction: In clinical perspectives, how to distinguish a small proportion of children at risk of developing neurological complications from a large number of children with mild symptoms still remains a challenge for primary care doctors. Methodology: From January 2012 to December 2015, 225 cases with severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) matched with 492 controls were enrolled in the age-matched, case-control study. Continuous variables were examined by univariate analysis using a chi-squared or Fisher's exact test, and categorical variables were reported by relative risks (odd's ratio). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for severe HFMD. Results: Peak body temperature over 37.5℃，total duration of fever over 3 days, lethargy, enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection were independent risk factors for severe HFMD. Conclusions: Peak body temperature over 37.5℃，total duration of fever over 3 days, lethargy, EV71 infection were independent risk factors for severe HFMD.