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Abstract Condensation characteristics of symmetrical and parallel capsule plate heat exchangers were experimentally investigated in this article. Plate heat exchangers with parallel capsule corrugation, symmetrical capsule corrugation, and chevron-type corrugation are manufactured as the test sections, each containing 41 plates. Pure steam and water are the hot and cold fluids, respectively. The experiments covered a range of equivalent Reynolds number from 9,000 to 25,000, mass flux of condensing fluid from to 18 to 49 kg/(m2·s), liquid Prandtl number from 1.37 to 1.71, average vapor quality from 0.5 to 0.7, and condensation pressure from 110 to 240 kPa. The correlations of condensation heat transfer coefficient and friction factor of the symmetrical and parallel capsule plate heat exchangers are developed. Compared with chevron-type plate heat exchangers, capsule plate heat exchangers show low friction pressure drop, and 33% higher energy efficiency index for condensation flow and heat transfer. Specifically, the energy efficiency index of the symmetrical capsule plate heat exchanger is 8.6% higher than that of the parallel capsule plate heat exchanger, indicating the superiority of counter-rotating longitudinal vortices over co-rotating longitudinal vortices in condensation, similar to what is observed in single-phase flow and heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane contact sites (MCSs) refer to the areas of close proximity between heterologous membranes. A growing body of evidence indicates that MCSs are involved in important cellular functions, such as cellular material transfer, organelle biogenesis, and cell growth. Importantly, the study of MCSs at the bacteria-host interface is an emerging popular research topic. Intracellular bacterial pathogens have evolved a variety of fascinating strategies to interfere with MCSs by injecting effectors into infected host cells. Bacteria-containing vacuoles establish direct physical contact with organelles within the host, ensuring vacuolar membrane integrity and energy supply from host organelles and protecting the vacuoles from the host endocytic pathway and lysosomal degradation. An increasing number of bacterial effectors from various bacterial pathogens hijack components of host MCSs to form the vacuole-organelle MCSs for material exchange. MCS-related events have been identified as new mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis to greatly improve bacterial survival and replication within host cells. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances in MCSs at the bacteria-host interface, focussing on the roles of MCSs mediated by bacterial effectors in microbial pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the hydrodynamic characteristic of a single-stage centrifugal pump with inlet inducer and outlet Radial Guided Vanes (RGVs) influenced by the clocking effect for the first time. Different from general ones, the outlet RGVs in this paper have specificities. The hydraulic performance and dynamic characteristics of the centrifugal pump are numerically studied and validated by experiments. The results indicate that there is an optimum position of RGVs that can not only increase the pump head and efficiency but also reduce the pressure fluctuation intensity. A non-dimensional parameter describing the velocity non-uniformity of the impeller outlet is first proposed, which is negatively related to the pump's hydraulic performance. The clocking position of the RGVs will affect the velocity homogeneity at the impeller outlet, and further influence the hydraulic characteristics of the pump. Besides, the clocking effect of outlet RGVs mainly affects the amplitudes of BPF for both the pressure fluctuation and radial force, and the most obvious frequency of pressure pulsation and radial force is 3 BPF correlating with the inlet inducer. It is recommended to install the volute-tongue tip near the middle of two vanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new carbazole-based colorimetric and fluorescent probe CBB for the detection of bisulfite (HSO3−) has been developed via nucleophilic addition reaction. Probe CBB can detect HSO3− with excellent sensing properties including high selectivity and sensitivity, fast response (5 s). More importantly, probe CBB system not only can be applied to monitor HSO3− in environment with excellent solid properties based on test strips but also can be used for the detection of HSO3− in real-water samples with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the large thermal resistance on the airside of the air-cooled heat exchangers, it is necessary to improve heat transfer performance and reduce flow resistance by improving the fin structure. In this paper, partially serrated finned tube bank was proposed and numerically investigated. The experimental system of finned tube bank was built to verify the correctness of the numerical simulation. The finned tube bank is twisted and serrated on the windward side to enhance heat transfer. Moreover, the non-grooved sector region on the leeward side reduces the flow resistance and improves the temperature uniformity of the fins. The effects of fin twisting of the windward side and non-grooving angle of the leeward side were explored. Nusselt number and friction factor decrease as the leeward non-grooving sector region increases. The correlations of Nusselt number and friction factor were derived based on the simulation results of partially serrated twisted finned tube banks with 120° non-grooving region on the leeward side. Nusselt number, friction factor and comprehensive heat transfer coefficient of partially serrated twisted finned tube bank are 13.3%, 13.0% and 10.5% higher than that of annular finned tube bank with Reynolds number from 6200 to 20,600, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations and interactions between the polymorphisms of insulin resistance-related genes (ADIPOQ rs2241766), inflammation factors (TNF-α rs1800629, IL-6 rs1800795), obesity-related genes (GNB3 rs5443, ADRB rs1042714), and risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) such as diet structure in the development of GDM. Materials and methods: This research was conducted among women who visited the third-affiliate hospital of Zhengzhou University for pregnancy checkups from 1 June 2014 to 30 December 2014. Based on the results of a 75-g glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 140 pregnant women with GDM were randomly selected as a part of the GDM group and140 healthy, pregnant women as part of the control group. Relevant clinical and laboratory data for the child and the mother including her pregnancy outcomes and the delivery mode were collected for the epidemiological survey. Results: The results showed that risk factors for GDM are advanced age, the hepatitis B virus, family history of diabetes, high body mass index before pregnancy, and weight gain of ≥10 kg before 24-week gestation. We found that diet structures were severely unbalanced. The polymorphisms rs2241766 and rs5443 were found to potentially be associated with GDM; moreover, a positive interaction was demonstrated between rs2241766 and age, and a negative interaction was demonstrated with weight gain of ≥10 kg before 24-week gestation. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that both environmental risk factors and genetic background contribute to the development of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations and interactions between the polymorphisms of insulin resistance-related genes (ADIPOQ rs2241766), inflammation factors (TNF-α rs1800629, IL-6 rs1800795), obesity-related genes (GNB3 rs5443, ADRB rs1042714), and risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) such as diet structure in the development of GDM.Materials and Methods: This research was conducted among women who visited the third-affiliate hospital of Zhengzhou University for pregnancy checkups from 1 June 2014 to 30 December 2014. Based on the results of a 75-g glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 140 pregnant women with GDM were randomly selected as a part of the GDM group and140 healthy, pregnant women as part of the control group. Relevant clinical and laboratory data for the child and the mother including her pregnancy outcomes and the delivery mode were collected for the epidemiological survey.Results: The results showed that risk factors for GDM are advanced age, the hepatitis B virus, family history of diabetes, high body mass index before pregnancy, and weight gain of ≥10 kg before 24-week gestation. We found that diet structures were severely unbalanced. The polymorphisms rs2241766 and rs5443 were found to potentially be associated with GDM; moreover, a positive interaction was demonstrated between rs2241766 and age, and a negative interaction was demonstrated with weight gain of ≥10 kg before 24-week gestation.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that both environmental risk factors and genetic background contribute to the development of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study retinal neovascularization (RNV) inhibition by intravitreal injections (IVs) of ranibizumab, sTie2 fusion protein (sTie2-Fc), and a combined therapy in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Materials and methods: An OIR mouse model was used to simulate RNV in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP); and the effect of blocking the angiopoietin (Ang) and its receptor (Tie2) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathways was compared using an IV of sTie2-Fc (Ang inhibitor) and/or ranibizumab (aVEGF antagonist). The effects were assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran cardiac perfusion, isolectin B4 (IB4) staining with whole retinal mounting, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to count the endothelial cells (ECs) that broke through the internal limiting membrane (ILM). The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF-A, VEGFR-2, Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 were also determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Results: Compared with the control group injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), all three experimental groups, ranibizumab, sTie2-Fc, and ranibizumab + sTie2-Fc, had a significant decrease in micro-vessel densities and neovascular clusters, and fewer ECs broke through the ILM (all p < 0.05). The non-perfusion areas decreased in both mono-treated groups, although the combined therapy had larger non-perfusion areas. All three treatments decreased the mRNA and protein levels of VEGFA, Ang1, and Tie2. Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that blocking the Ang/Tie2 and/or VEGF/VEGFR pathways could inhibit RNV and decrease abnormal micro-vessel density; and the mono-blockage of Ang/Tie2 might cause a smaller non-perfusion area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweetpotato certified seed producers rely on fast propagation of virus-indexed slip plants in the greenhouse to obtain transplants for the production of first generation of storage roots. Effective fertilization is important for greenhouse vegetative propagation, but relevant guidelines are rare. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 using sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.) var. Covington, Beauregard, and Evangeline to evaluate effects of fertilizer rate on slip production. The most commonly used commercial fertilizer mix (20N–10P–20K) was applied at the rates 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 mg·L−1of N. Plants were harvested nine times over the season in both years. Total nodes on vines and total slip fresh weight were determined. ‘Evangeline’ produced more nodes—that is, more plants—than ‘Beauregard’ and ‘Covington’, and ‘Beauregard’ produced the highest slip fresh weight, followed by ‘Evangeline’ and ‘Covington’. Effect of fertilizer rate on vine node count was similar for early (harvests 1–3) and middle harvests (harvests 4–6) but impacted late harvests (harvests 7–9), where fertilizer rates from 100 to 300 mg·L−1of N resulted in similar number of plant nodes, and 50 and 400 mg·L−1of N reduced node count. Undesirable storage root formation in pots was favored by 50 mg·L−1of N fertilizer rate, whereas fertilizer at or above 100 mg·L−1of N inhibited them. ‘Covington’ produced the most storage roots. Fertilizer rate during slip production in the greenhouse did not affect transplant stand count in the field and subsequent field production of sweetpotato storage roots. The commercial fertilizer 20N-10P-20K should be applied from 100 to 200 mg·L−1of N to produce the most slips and least storage roots in greenhouse pots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in promoting the survival of fat grafts, and to provide new methods and theoretical evidence for increasing the survival rate of autologous fat particle grafts.Methods:TheVEGF165gene was recombined with the target fragment, and the recombinant gene was introduced into adenovirus pAdEasy-1 system; the virus was then packaged and the titer was detected. The control group received the same processing. ASCs were cultured and subcultured, and then identified with immunohistochemistry and adipogenic differentiation assay. The subsequent experiments were performed in three groups: theVEGF165gene-virus group, blank virus group, and control group. After the viral solution was transfected into the ASCs, the viral transfection efficiency was detected using a tracing factor, EGFP. The expression of VEGF165 mRNA and protein in the transfected cells were determined. The proliferation of ASCs in each group was detected with the MTT assay.Results:(1) Recombinant adenoviral vector was constructed successfully in the two groups and the packaging was identified. The viral titer was 2.0 × 108pfu/ml and 1.9 × 108pfu/ml, which was in line with the requirements of the subsequent transfection experiments. (2) Immunohistochemistry and adipogenic differentiation results showed that the culture of ASCs was successful, and the cultured cells could serve as seed cells in this experiment. (3) The RT-PCR analysis showed that the relative optical density of VEGF165 mRNA expression was 0.76 ± 0.05 in the experimental group, and there were statistically significant differences compared with the values obtained for the other two groups (P< 0.05). (4) The western blot analysis showed that the relative optical density of VEGF165 protein expression in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P< 0.05). (5) The proliferation of ASCs was significantly enhanced after transfection in the experimental group, relative to the other two groups (P< 0.05). This evidence indicated that VEGF165 significantly promoted the proliferation of ASCs.Conclusion:After transfection with the VEGF165-adenoviral vector, ASCs demonstrate sustained expression of the target protein and obviously promote the proliferation of ASCs, which lay the foundation for thein vitroexperiments on transplantation of VEGF165 combined with ASCs, for the treatment of tissue defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify sources of heavy metal(loid) (HM) contamination in agricultural soils of Huzhou, surface soil samples were sampled from 89 different agricultural regions in 2012. Concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s, along with pH, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and soil organic matter (SOM), were determined. Ecological risk was then assessed using a modified Hakanson ecological risk index, and the sources of contamination were determined using principal component analysis (PCA). Mean concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s were 10.26, 23.21, 83.75, 22.81, 0.25, 61.86, 33.03, and 0.15 mg kg−1for As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg, respectively. Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb were correlated positively with TP and there were obvious positive correlations among Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Cd. Risk index (RI) values varied from 39 to 1246 with a mean value of 137. Enrichment of Pb, Zn, Cu, and especially Cd can be attributed to excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers containing heavy metals, as well to surface irrigation and natural soil formation. While the ecological risk of most agricultural soils in Huzhou is low, it is recommended that the use of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers be restricted and production technology be improved to reduce the heavy metal(loid) concentrations. Results suggest that the Chinese environmental quality standard for soil should be revised to better address heavy metal(loid) contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to explore the influence of transient pressure fluctuation inside high-speed trains passing throught tunnels on the fetal growth of Sprague – Dawley (SD) rats. A pressure variation simulation system was designed and exposure experiments were performed on SD rats. Forty-eight SD rats are divided into two control groups and two experimental groups, and are then exposed to transient pressure alternation (−1200 Pa ~1200 Pa) from gestation day 0 to gestation day 5 (GD 0–5). Fetal growth and development indicators on GD12 and GD18 between experimental and control groups were compared. Statistical results showed that, compared to the control group, the key indicators in the experimental group, including placental weight, placental diameter, fetal weight, and crown-to-rump length have decreased by 4.77%, 3.38%, 6.20%, and 3.75% respectively on GD18. The findings imply that the pressure fluctuation environment of high-speed trains has potential effects on the fetal growth of SD rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCurrent numerical research on snow accumulation on bogies often simplifies train models as 1.5 cars or 3 cars, and there is less research on long marshalling trains with real bogies. In this article, based on the Euler–Lagrange method, the airflow structure and snow accumulation characteristics in the bogie area of an 8-car high-speed train (HST) are studied by numerical simulation. The results show that the airflow velocity and snow distribution concentration inside the bogie cabin vary along the flow direction. The downstream bogie cabin has a lower airflow speed, spatial snow particle concentration, and components snow accumulation. Because of the bogie cabin cover structure, the main airflow direction above the first and second bogie cabin is different, resulting in higher snow concentration and range on the windward side of the first bogie. There is a significant difference in snow accumulation characteristics between powered and nonpowered bogies. The powered bogie gearbox is directly affected by the airflow carrying snow particles, leading to severe snow accumulation on the windward side. This study provides a research foundation and engineering guidance for the snow protection strategy of HST bogies and is important for improving the comfort and safety of HSTs on snow-covered rails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations (URANS) was coupled with the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) to study snow accretion on the bogies of a high-speed train under crosswind conditions. The influence of bogie fairing configurations on the snow particles' movement, accumulation and flow characteristics around bogie regions are assessed. The results show that the larger bogie fairings have a positive effect on snow reduction around the main components of bogies under crosswind conditions. Compared to currently used bogie fairings, the total snow accretion of a head car increases by 41.5% by removing the fairings, while it decreases by 24.9% with the installation of full bogie fairings. The larger bogie fairings can lower the velocity of underbody flow and prevent high-speed airflows from entering the bogie regions from the windward side of bogie cavities. Moreover, the larger bogie fairings reduce the snow concentration around the heat-producing components of the bogies and attenuate the amount of snow particles near the rear plates of the cavities. Thus, the larger fairings can provide better anti-snow performance of train bogies under crosswind conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the aerodynamic noise of a centrifugal fan with an eccentric impeller is investigated and analyzed by adopting a hybrid method combining detached-eddy simulation and the acoustic finite element method (FEM). The impeller-eccentric effect of high-speed centrifugal fans, frequently ignored in theoretical studies, is objective in practical engineering applications owing to machining and installation errors, which have a significant influence on flow characteristics and subsequently noise characteristics. An impeller-whirling model combined with the sliding mesh method is introduced to obtain the actual flow with an eccentric impeller. First, the internal flow field handled with different eccentricities is investigated. The total pressure and internal efficiency decline, and the flow field near the leading edge shows intense unsteadiness, inducing a rise in the pressure fluctuation amplitude at the rotating frequency (RF) in both impeller flow passage and volute domain. Second, the variational formulation of Lighthill's analogy is implemented by acoustic FEM to better account for the interaction between the solid surface and aerodynamic sound, capturing a contribution by turbulence noise at the second RF. Under eccentric conditions, the sound source intensity shows a circumferential non-uniform distribution in a similar region to the flow field. The calculated sound pressure level captures the variation in the experimental result, which shows an obvious rise at RF induced by the impeller-eccentric effect. The characteristics of the noise spectrum and sound directivity change significantly, and the overall sound pressure level rises with the increase in eccentricity. This study provides an effective simulation strategy for predicting the aerodynamic noise of centrifugal fans under realistic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical states of the ions in air annealed Sr3Co2Fe24O41Z-type hexaferrite have been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that both Fe3+and Fe2+existed in the sample with a Fe2+percentage of 36.3%. The binding energies of the Fe3+and Fe2+were close to those of spinel ferrites like Fe3O4and CoFe2O4. Both Co2+and Co3+existed in the sample with a Co3+percentage of 21.3%. The binding energies of the Co2+and Co3+were close to those of CoFe2O4and NiCo2O4.All the strontium in the sample existed in a divalent state with a binding energy similar to those of SrCO3and SrTiO3.The majority of the oxygen in the sample (89.3%) existed as the lattice O2−. The above results showed that the chemical states of magnetic ions in air annealed Sr3Co2Fe24O41Z-type ferrite were close to those in the spinel structure ferrites with similar elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical states of the ions in air annealed Sr3Co2Fe24O41Z-type hexaferrite have been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that both Fe3+and Fe2+existed in the sample with a Fe2+percentage of 36.3%. The binding energies of the Fe3+and Fe2+were close to those of spinel ferrites like Fe3O4and CoFe2O4. Both Co2+and Co3+existed in the sample with a Co3+percentage of 21.3%. The binding energies of the Co2+and Co3+were close to those of CoFe2O4and NiCo2O4.All the strontium in the sample existed in a divalent state with a binding energy similar to those of SrCO3and SrTiO3.The majority of the oxygen in the sample (89.3%) existed as the lattice O2−. The above results showed that the chemical states of magnetic ions in air annealed Sr3Co2Fe24O41Z-type ferrite were close to those in the spinel structure ferrites with similar elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We have previously reported that dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) perfusion patterns obtained from locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients prior to neoadjuvant therapy predicted pathologic clinical response. Genomic analyses were also independently conducted on the same patient population. This retrospective study was performed to test two hypotheses: (1) gene expression profiles are associated with DCE-MRI perfusion patterns, and (2) association between long-term overall survival data and gene expression profiles can lead to the identification of novel predictive biomarkers. Methods: We utilised RNA microarray and DCE-MRI data from 47 LABC patients, including 13 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) patients. Association between gene expression profile and DCE-MRI perfusion patterns (centrifugal and centripetal) was determined by Wilcoxon rank sum test. Association between gene expression level and survival was assessed using a Cox rank score test. Additional genomic analysis of the IBC subset was conducted, with a period of follow-up of up to 11 years. Associations between gene expression and overall survival were further assessed in The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal. Results: Differences in gene expression profiles were seen between centrifugal and centripetal perfusion patterns in the sulphotransferase family, cytosolic, 1 A, phenol-preferring, members 1 and 2 ( SULT1A1, SULT1A2), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, member 6 ( PARP6), and metastasis tumour antigen1 ( MTA1). In the IBC subset our analyses demonstrated that differential expression of 45 genes was associated with long-term survival. Conclusions: Here we have demonstrated an association between DCE-MRI perfusion patterns and gene expression profiles. In addition we have reported on candidate prognostic biomarkers in IBC patients, with some of the genes being significantly associated with survival in IBC and LABC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy has demonstrated innovative therapeutic effectiveness in fighting cancers; however, it is extremely expensive, due to the intrinsic patient-to-patient variability in cell manufacturing. We propose in this work a novel calibration-free statistical framework to effectively deduce critical quality attributes under the patient-to-patient variability. Specifically, we model this variability via a patient-specific calibration parameter, and use readings from multiple biosensors to construct a patient-invariance statistic, thereby alleviating the effect of the calibration parameter. A carefully formulated optimization problem and an algorithmic framework are presented to find the best patient-invariance statistic and the model parameters. Using the patient-invariance statistic, we can deduce the critical quality attribute of interest, free from the calibration parameter. We demonstrate improvements of the proposed calibration-free method in different simulation experiments. In the cell manufacturing case study, our method not only effectively deduces viable cell concentration for monitoring, but also reveals insights for the cell manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CH4 (methane) is an important greenhouse gas that has a significant impact on the formation of, and change in, the global climate. Through the development of remote sensing technology, a series of remote sensing detectors to monitor CH4 sources and sinks have been launched into space. Although a series of studies have been conducted around the CH4 concentration retrieved by AIRS (The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument), SCIAMACHY (The Scanning Imaging Absorption spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography instrument), and GOSAT (The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite), there have been few comprehensive comparative studies between these three satellite results and ground-based data. In this article, the correlation coefficient, root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), and bias are used to evaluate the CH4 retrieved from satellite data. The results reveal that: AIRS can reflect the distribution and changes of CH4 all over the world. The space coverage of GOSAT is focused between 60°S to 60°N, and the correlation of GOSAT with land surface stations is generally better than that with ocean surface stations. The space coverage of SCIAMACHY is between GOSAT and AIRS. Though SCIAMACHY data show a poor consistency with surface measurements, SCIAMACHY can also reflect the spatial and temporal dynamic distribution of CH4 around the world to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)-related substances are produced as the alternatives to corresponding perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). However, there is little reliable information about PFBS available for the whole ecotoxicology compartments. At present, its ecotoxicity of perfluorobutane sulfonate potassium (PFBSK) was selected as a typical PFBS chemical to investigate and evaluate its aquatic, terrestrial, microorganism and sediment toxicity according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline under the framework of the REACH regulation. Meanwhile, the ecotoxicology hazard and risk for PFBSK and PFOS were compared comprehensively. PFBSK did not show acute and chronic aquatic, microorganisms and terrestrial animal toxicity, while exhibited some terrestrial plants toxicity. The ecotoxicology of PFBSK decreased sharply except for terrestrial plants compared with PFOS. Especially, for acute and chronic aquatic ecotoxicity, PFBSK is lower than 100 times those of PFOS. Although the similar terrestrial plants toxicity level was observed for PFBSK and PFOS, the lower risk of PFBSK was deduced for the reason that there was far less chances to be exposed and retained in the soil and sediment for its high water solubility and low adsorption. In conclusion, PFBSK showed lower ecotoxicity hazard and risk than those of PFOS. PFBSK could be an environmental friendly alternative to PFOS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Imitation cheeses in a laboratory-scale (100-g) made by a rapid visco analyzer (RVA) at different stirring speeds (200, 300, 450 rpm) were investigated with a control (Stephan cooker at 1,500 rpm) at 85 °C through functional properties, microstructure and sensory evaluation. Compared to the cheeses made by the Stephan cooker, the cheese made by RVA was significantly (P< 0.05) more green, more yellow and noticeably less white than all other cheeses, which had a decrease in theL* values and an increase ina* andb* values. TPA values of imitation cheese made by the RVA at 450 rpm were lower than that cheese made by other speed. However, the imitation cheeses of 450 rpm was significantly (P< 0.05) higher, which was similar with the fat leakage of imitation cheese manufactured by Stephan cooker. The melt of imitation cheese significantly (P< 0.05) reduced by increasing the stirring speed of RVA. While significant, the melt of the 1,500 rpm cheese was smaller than all other cheeses. Increasing the stirring speed of RVA showed a more effective fat emulsification and a uniform protein matrix. Sensory analysis showed the imitation cheese made by RVA at 450 rpm was similar to the control made by Stephan cooker. Subsequently, the stirring speed, mixing time and heating temperature were optimized at 450 rpm, 7.50 min and 86 °C by response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicated that RVA could make imitation cheeses as well as the functional properties of the control in a laboratory-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The threat of radiation exposure requires a mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced immune injury and recovery. The study objective was to evaluate responses to ionizing radiation in ovariectomized (surgically post-menopausal) female cynomolgus macaques. Materials and methods: Animals received a single total-body irradiation (TBI) exposure at doses of 0, 2 or 5 Gy with scheduled necropsies at 5 days, 8 weeks and 24 weeks post-exposure. Blood and lymphoid tissues were evaluated for morphologic, cellular, and molecular responses. Results: Irradiated animals developed symptoms of acute hematopoietic syndrome, and reductions in thymus weight, thymopoiesis, and bone marrow cellularity. Acute, transient increases in plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were observed in 5 Gy animals along with dose-dependent alterations in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) signatures in thymus, spleen, and lymph node. Expression of T cell markers was lower in thymus and spleen, while expression of macrophage marker CD68 (cluster of differentiation 68) was relatively elevated in lymphoid tissues from irradiated animals. Conclusions: Ovariectomized female macaques exposed to moderate doses of radiation experienced increased morbidity, including acute, dose-dependent alterations in systemic and tissue-specific biomarkers, and increased macrophage/T cell ratios. The effects on mortality exceeded expectations based on previous studies in males, warranting further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal angiomyolipoma may sometimes require surgical intervention. In this paper, we present a case of renal angiomyolipoma which infiltrated the sinus and extended into the inferior vena cava. He was successfully treated with a combined approach of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, extracorporeal workbench tumor resection, and autotransplantation. Three months postoperatively, no evidence of tumor recurrence or presence of thrombus in the inferior vena cava was noted. Our experience represents the successful application of a combined nephron-sparing approach in the management of angiomyolipoma with extension into a major blood vessel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Large clival meningiomas are a major surgical challenge with risks to life and permanent deficit. A 65-year-old man with a meningioma anterior to the medulla oblongata with brain stem compression was operated with far-lateral approach assisted by multimodal neuronavigation and neurophysiological monitoring techniques. Total resection of the tumor was achieved with no intra- or post-operative complications. This case illustrates the benefits obtained by a multimodal approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently identified receptor (TNFRSF)-interacting serine-threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1) as an oncogenic driver in melanoma in addition to its well-established role in controlling cell survival and death. Our studies show that RIPK1 promotes melanoma cell proliferation through a positive feedback loop of NFKB1-BIRC2/BIRC3-RIPK1 powered by autocrine tumor necrosis factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]