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A label-free fluorescent sensing strategy for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of Pb2+ was developed by integrating Pb2+ DNAzyme-specific cleavage activity and a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN)-enhanced hyperbranched hybridization chain reaction (hHCR). This strategy provides accelerated reaction rates because of the highly effective collision probability and enriched local concentrations from the spatial confinement of the TDN, thus showing a higher detection sensitivity and a more rapid detection process. Moreover, a hairpin probe based on a G-triplex instead of a G-quadruplex or chemical modification makes hybridization chain reaction more controlled and flexible, greatly improving signal amplification capacities and eliminating labeled DNA probes. The enhanced reaction rates and improved signal amplification efficiency endowed the biosensors with high sensitivity and a rapid response. The label-free detection of Pb2+ based on G-triplex combined with thioflavin T can be achieved with a detection limit as low as 1.8 pM in 25 min. The proposed Pb2+-sensing platform was also demonstrated to be applicable for Pb2+ detection in tap water, river water, shrimp, rice, and soil samples, thus showing great potential for food safety and environmental monitoring. [Display omitted] • A new Pb2+-sensing platform is constructed based on spatially localized DNA nanomachines. • The label-free detection of Pb2+ can be achieved by G-triplex/ThT fluorescent probe. • The proposed method can rapidly detect Pb2+ with a detection limit as low as 1.8 pM within 25 min • The proposed method shows good specificity and works well for Pb2+ detection in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle mass measurement instrument of the aerosol particle mass analyzer (APM) tends to underestimate the particle mass of sub-50 nm nanoparticles, limiting the APM mass measurement to larger particles. In the present work, a mass correction method was developed based on a calibration reference to correct the APM mass underestimation according to a measured mass-based dimensionless parameter The correction was tested using laboratory generated silver nanoparticles and ambient nanoparticles. It was found that the measured effective density variations of silver nanoparticles due to different extent of APM mass underestimation at different operating conditions were reduced by the correction method with a significant improvement of R-squared from 0.40 to 0.87. In addition, about 20% increase in the effective density from 0.91 to 1.09 g/cm3 was observed for 30 nm ambient wet nanoparticles using the correction method. The difference between the raw and corrected effective densities is due to the mass underestimation by the APM itself, which should be corrected in the data analysis program of the APM. Copyright © 2019 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the problem of erroneous conformal area extracted by ray tracing in conformal structured mesh generation for the finite-difference time-domain method when tangential situations arise, referred to as corner singularity. The erroneous conformal area results from the fuzzification of intersecting length for tangential situations. Here, an effective mesh scheme to solve the corner singularity is proposed. In this scheme, additional degrees of freedom for mesh flags of vertexes and generalized consistency modification are proposed to solve the fuzzification of intersecting length, leading to accurate extraction of the conformal area. Furthermore, the scheme can tackle the convex and concave points uniformly without leading to possible breakdown of the conventional parity-number-based method. Rigorous and less rigorous staircase criteria are proposed to classify the cells accurately and effectively. The difficulties of concave point combined with the tangential situation are also successfully solved. Numerical examples of several microwave devices are given to show the validity of the proposed mesh scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many all-speed Roe schemes have been proposed to improve performance in terms of low speeds. Among them, the F-Roe and T-D-Roe schemes have been found to get incorrect density fluctuation in low Mach flows, which is expected to be with the square of Mach number. Asymptotic analysis presents the mechanism of how the density fluctuation problem relates to the incorrect order of terms in the energy equation ρ~a~U~ΔU. It is known that changing the upwind scheme coefficients of the pressure-difference dissipation term DP and the velocity-difference dissipation term in the momentum equation DρU to the order of O(c-1) and O(c0) can improve the level of pressure and velocity accuracy at low speeds. This paper shows that corresponding changes in energy equation can also improve the density accuracy in low speeds. We apply this modification to a recently proposed scheme, TV-MAS, to get a new scheme, TV-MAS2. Unsteady Gresho vortex flow, double shear-layer flow, low Mach number flows over the inviscid cylinder, and NACA0012 airfoil show that energy equation modification in these schemes can obtain the expected square Ma scaling of density fluctuations, which is in good agreement with corresponding asymptotic analysis. Therefore, this density correction is expected to be widely implemented into all-speed compressible flow solvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerosol mass measurement method, DMA-APM, measures a lower mass as compared to the electrical mobility diameter-based particle mass for sub-50 nm nanoparticles. The extent of underestimation increases with decreasing nanoparticle diameter and can reach as much as 20–80% for different nanoparticles between 10–20 nm. To study this issue, the DMA-APM system was tested with traceable size standards (PSL and NanoSilica) and laboratory generated silver nanoparticles. It was found that the extent of mass underestimation depended on Brownian diffusion as well as the strength of the classifying forces, and the extent was quantified by a dimensionless parameter, which is suggested to be higher than 40 to eliminate the mass underestimation for size standards. Further analysis also showed that the uncertainty in the particle density of test nanoparticles should be as low as possible to minimize the error in the judgment on the accuracy of the APM. Finally, the absolute accuracy of the APM at differentwas determined by the size standards, which could be used to correct for the mass underestimation for sub-50 nm nanoparticles. Copyright © 2018 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several distributions of country-specific blood pressure (BP) percentiles by sex, age, and height for children and adolescents have been established worldwide. However, there are no globally unified BP references for defining elevated BP in children and adolescents, which limits international comparisons of the prevalence of pediatric elevated BP. We aimed to establish international BP references for children and adolescents by using 7 nationally representative data sets (China, India, Iran, Korea, Poland, Tunisia, and the United States).Methods and Results: Data on BP for 52 636 nonoverweight children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years were obtained from 7 large nationally representative cross-sectional surveys in China, India, Iran, Korea, Poland, Tunisia, and the United States. BP values were obtained with certified mercury sphygmomanometers in all 7 countries by using standard procedures for BP measurement. Smoothed BP percentiles (50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th) by age and height were estimated by using the Generalized Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape model. BP values were similar between males and females until the age of 13 years and were higher in males than females thereafter. In comparison with the BP levels of the 90th and 95th percentiles of the US Fourth Report at median height, systolic BP of the corresponding percentiles of these international references was lower, whereas diastolic BP was similar.Conclusions: These international BP references will be a useful tool for international comparison of the prevalence of elevated BP in children and adolescents and may help to identify hypertensive youths in diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The fourth report on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure (BP) established high BP diagnostic criteria using age-, sex-, and height-specific BP percentiles. However, these BP criteria are quite difficult for use by professionals in the clinic or children and their parents. We aimed to simplify the hypertension diagnostic criteria using BP to height ratio (BP/height) in US children and adolescents aged 8-17 years. Methods Data were obtained from a national representative sample of 14,624 US children and adolescents aged 8-17 years enrolled in the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2012. SBP to height ratio (SBPHR) was calculated as SBP (mm Hg)/height (cm) and DBP to height ratio (DBPHR) was calculated as DBP (mm Hg)/height (cm). The BP diagnostic criteria recommended by the fourth report were used as the "gold standard". Receive operator characteristic curve analysis was used to choose the optimal thresholds of SBPHR and DBPHR. Results The optimal thresholds for identifying pre-hypertension and hypertension among children aged 8-12 years and adolescents aged 13-17 years were determined. The negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying hypertension was nearly 100% for both children and adolescents, although the positive predictive value (PPV) ranged from 19% to 35%. The NPV for identifying pre-hypertension ranged from 95% to 99% for children and adolescents, and the PPV ranged from 11% to 52%. Conclusions The optimal thresholds of SBPHR and DBPHR are simple and accurate for screening elevated BP, although PPV is relatively low because of the low prevalence of childhood hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing theoretical response spectra of APM-3600 agree well with the experimental data for submicron particles larger than 100 nm in the electrical mobility diameter but not for nanoparticles. In this study, a 2-D numerical model was developed to predict the transfer function and response spectra of APM-3600 based on the detailed simulation of flow and particle concentration fields. It was found that recirculation flows existed in the annular classifying region and APM's inlet and outlet regions, which led to enhanced convection-diffusion loss of nanoparticles compared to that without considering flow recirculation. As a result, the APM underestimates the mass of naonoparticles due to the shift of the peak position of the transfer function to a larger diameter than the targeted diameter. The response spectra calculated with the simulated transfer function agree well both in shapes and peak values with the experimental data present in a previous study for both nanoparticles and submicron particles larger than 100 nm. The predicted particle masses also agree well with the PSL's experimental data of the article. Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although dilute magnetic semiconductors have promising potentials in spintronics applications, the mechanism of their ferromagnetism remains ambiguous. The extensive theoretical models and exotic experimental evidences provide self-consistent but usually contradictory explanations on its either intrinsic or extrinsic origins. We find room temperature ferromagnetism in a series of Zn1-xCozO (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) thin films prepared using magnetron co-sputtering method and treated with post-annealing at temperatures 350°C and 500°C. The origin of the ferromagnetism is investigated in terms of electronic structure combining hard x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at Zn and Co K-edge, and soft x-ray XAS at O K-edge and Co L2,3-edge. The full multiple scattering theory is employed to reinforce the interpretation of the XAS spectra, which concludes that full substitution of zinc by cobalt is responsible for the room temperature ferromagnetism due to the d states of cobalt within the framework of bound magnetic polaron. Moreover, the evidence of cobalt nanoclusters is detected at highly doped and annealed samples. The first principles calculation confirms the electronic structural evidences via the formation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genome-wide association studies on Europeans have shown that two polymorphisms (rs17782313, rs12970134) near the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene were associated with increased risk of obesity. Subsequently studies among different ethnic populations have shown mixed results with some confirming and others showing inconsistent results, especially among East Asians and Africans. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of various studies from different ethnic populations to assess the association of the MC4R polymorphism with obesity risk. Methods: We retrieved all published literature that investigated association of MC4R variants with obesity from PubMed and Embase. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed- or random-effects model. Results: A total of 61 studies (80,957 cases/220,223 controls) for rs17782313 polymorphism (or proxy) were included in the meta-analysis. The results suggested that rs17782313 polymorphism was significantly associated with obesity risk (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.15-1.21, p,0.001). Similar trends were observed among subgroups of Europeans and East Asians, adults and children, studies with high quality score, and for each five MC4R polymorphisms independently. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis confirms the significant association of MC4R polymorphism with risk of obesity. Further studies should be conducted to identify the causal variant and the underlying mechanisms of the identified association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SNP (rs2230500) in PRKCH (the gene encoding protein kinase C g) is associated with ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage in the Chinese population, but the molecular mechanisms are not clear. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between the SNP and atherosclerosis that is common pathological basis of ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. Methodology/Principal Findings: We examined the associations of the SNP with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), atherosclerosis diagnosed by CIMT, and factors related with inflammation in the Beijing Child Blood Pressure Study. A total of 1190 subjects participated in the follow-up study. The SNP was genotyped by allele-specific real-time PCR assay. The SNP (rs2230500) in PRKCH was significantly associated with CIMT (in far wall of left common carotid arteries, P = 0.016; in far wall of right common carotid arteries, P = 0.012) under a recessive model after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, and hypertension. The SNP was also significantly associated with complement C3 (P = 0.012) under a dominant model after adjustment for age, gender, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusions/Significance: Our data provide evidence that the SNP (rs2230500) in PRKCH decreases the risk of CIMT that is a worthwhile predictor of stroke and complement system possibly mediates this process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--Childhood obesity strongly predisposes to some adult diseases. Recently, genome-wide association (GWA) studies in Caucasians identified multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BMI and obesity. The associations of those SNPs with BMI and obesity among other ethnicities are not fully described, especially in children. Among those previously identified SNPs, we selected six (rs7138803, rs1805081, rs6499640, rs17782313, rs6265, and rs10938397, in or near obesity-related genes FAIM2, NPC1, FTO, MC4R, BDNF, and GNPDA2, respectively) because of the relatively high minor allele frequencies in Chinese individuals and tested the associations of the SNPs with BMI and obesity in Chinese children. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--We investigated the associations of these SNPs with BMI and obesity in school-aged children. A total of 3,503 children participated in the study, including 1,229 obese, 655 overweight, and 1,619 normal-weight children (diagnosed by the Chinese age- and sex-specific BMI cutoffs). RESULTS--After age and sex adjustment and correction for multiple testing, the SNPs rs17782313, rs6265, and rs10938397 were associated with BMI (P = 1.0 x 10-5, 0.038, and 0.00093, respectively) and also obesity (P = 5.0 x 10-6, 0.043, and 0.00085, respectively) in the Chinese children. The SNPs rs17782313 and rs10938397 were also significantly associated with waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and fat mass percentage. CONCLUSIONS--Results of this study support obesity-related genes in adults as important genes for BMI variation in children and suggest that some SNPs identified by GWA studies in Caucasians also confer risk for obesity in Chinese children. Diabetes 59:3085-3089, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and the related behavioral risk factors among children in Beijing. Methods. Data were collected as part of a 2004 comprehensive study on obesity and metabolic syndrome among 21 198 children, aged 2–18 years old in Beijing. Four local and international references for the classification of childhood overweight and obesity were compared. Results. The combined prevalence of obesity and overweight among children, aged 2–18 years old, was 18.7%, 21.4%, and 20.1% based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference, new World Health Organization (WHO) growth standard, and the US 2000 Center for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Charts, respectively; and it was 21.7%, according to the local Chinese body mass index (BMI) reference for school-age children (aged 7–18 years). Physical inactivity, less sleep duration, higher consumption of alcohol, snack food and Western fast food and more screen time were associated with overweight and obesity (p<0.05). Conclusions. Over 20% of children and adolescents in Beijing are overweight or obese. Effort should be made to combat the growing obesity epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous genome-wide association studies for type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes have confirmed that a common variant, rs9939609, in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene region is associated with body mass index (BMI) in European children and adults. A significant association of the same risk allele has been described in Asian adult populations, but the results are conflicting. In addition, no replication studies have been conducted in children and adolescents of Asian ancestry. Methods: A population-based survey was carried out among 3503 children and adolescents (6-18 years of age) in Beijing, China, including 1229 obese and 2274 non-obese subjects. We investigated the association of rs9939609 with BMI and the risk of obesity. In addition, we tested the association of rs9939609 with weight, height, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass percentage, birth weight, blood pressure and related metabolic traits. Results: We found significant associations of rs9939609 variant with weight, BMI, BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and fat mass percentage in children and adolescents (p for trend = 3.29 × 10-5, 1.39 × 10-6, 3.76 × 10-6, 2.26 × 10-5, 1.94 × 10-5, and 9.75 × 10-5, respectively). No significant associations were detected with height, birth weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and related metabolic traits such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose (all p > 0.05). Each additional copy of the rs9939609 A allele was associated with a BMI increase of 0.79 [95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 1.10] kg/m2, equivalent to 0.25 (95%CI 0.14 to 0.35) BMI-SDS units. This rs9939609 variant is significantly associated with the risk of obesity under an additive model [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.50] after adjusting for age and gender. Moreover, an interaction between the FTO rs9939609 genotype and physical activity (p < 0.001) was detected on BMI levels, the effect of rs9939609-A allele on BMI being (0.95 ± 0.10), (0.77 ± 0.08) and (0.67 ± 0.05) kg/m2, for subjects who performed low, moderate and severe intensity physical activity. Conclusion: The FTO rs9939609 variant is strongly associated with BMI and the risk of obesity in a population of children and adolescents in Beijing, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demanding working environment of hypersonic missiles imposes high requirements on the reliability and stability of the reaction control system. This work aims to investigate the impact of uncertainties in freestream and jet parameters on the flowfield and aerodynamic performance of a missile with a lateral jet. Initially, the influence of angle of attack and Mach number on aerodynamic characteristics is evaluated. The findings indicate that the lateral jet control effect is enhanced as the Mach number increases. Moreover, the interference force/moment does not vary linearly with the angle of attack, and there are notable differences in the flow characteristics when the jet is on the windward and leeward sides. Subsequently, six parameters are selected as input variables. The uncertainties of the output results are analyzed using a stochastic expansion based on the nonintrusive polynomial chaos method. Sensitivity analysis is performed using Sobol indices to estimate the relative contributions of each parameter to the overall uncertainty. Within the given uncertainty interval, the surface pressure of the missile exhibits significant variation, with a maximum uncertainty of approximately 480%. The uncertainty of the recirculation zone range is 50.14%, while the pitch moment amplification factor has an uncertainty of 52.44%. The freestream Mach number, angle of attack, and jet pressure ratio are identified as key factors affecting the aerodynamic performance, surface pressure coefficient, and jet penetration height. Conversely, the contribution of other parameters can be considered negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized the process by-product particles (mostly nanoparticles) released during the preventive maintenance of semiconductor fabrication facilities, such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and ion implantation. Manual sampling and real-time measurements with direct reading instruments were conducted to assess the exposure levels of nanoparticles and their physical and chemical properties. Significant amount of nanoparticles were observed in the breathing zone of the workers during the maintenance of the PECVD and ion implanters with the peak number concentrations as high as 6,470,000 and 65,444 #/cm3, respectively, indicating that the deposited residual chemicals in the reaction chambers were released as airborne nanoparticles by the maintenance activities. In contrast, nanoparticles released during the maintenance of the local scrubber, CMP, and replacing CMP slurry drums were insignificant. Causes of the particle release were discussed and suggestions were made to mitigate the nanoparticle release and reduce the exposure levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre-hypertension and hypertension in childhood are defined by sex-, age- and height-specific 90th (or ≥120/80 mmHg) and 95th percentiles of blood pressure (BP), respectively, by the 2004 Fourth Report. However, these cut-offs are complex and cumbersome for use. This study assessed the performance of a simplified BP definition to predict adult hypertension and subclinical cardiovascular disease. Methods: The longitudinal cohort consisted of 1,225 adults (530 males, aged 26.3-47.7 years) from the Bogalusa Heart Study, with 27.1 years follow-up since childhood. We used 110/70 and 120/80 mmHg for children (age 6-11 years), and 120/80 and 130/85 mmHg for adolescents (age 12-17 years) as the simplified definitions of childhood pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively, to compare with the complex definitions. Adult carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and left ventricular mass were measured using digital ultrasound instruments. High CIMT was defined as being above the age-, gender- and race-specific 80th percentile, high PWV as being above the age-, gender-, race- and heart rate-specific 80th percentile and left ventricular hypertrophy as >46.7 g/m2.7 in women and >49.2 g/m2.7 in men. Results: Compared to normal BP, childhood hypertensives diagnosed by the simplified definition (4.1%, 50/1,225) and the complex definition (4.8%, 59/1,225) were both at higher risk of adult hypertension with hazard ratio=3.1 (95% confidence interval=1.8-5.3) by the simplified definition and 3.2 (2.0-5.0) by the complex definition, high PWV with 3.5 (1.7-7.1) and 2.2 (1.2-4.1), high CIMT with 3.1 (1.7-5.6) and 2.0 (1.2-3.6), and left ventricular hypertrophy with 3.4 (1.7-6.8) and 3.0 (1.6-5.6). The prediction using the two childhood BP definitions for adult hypertension and subclinical cardiovascular disease was also assessed by reclassification or receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Conclusions: The simplified childhood BP definition predicts the risk of adult hypertension and subclinical cardiovascular disease equally as the complex definition does. The simplified pediatric BP cut-offs could be easier to use for screening children at high risk and for targeting early life interventions to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity measures track from childhood to adulthood. However, information is limited regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories during childhood and adult obesity risk. We hypothesize that BMI growth rates at different childhood age windows have influences on adult obesity, independent of absolute BMI values. Methods: The longitudinal study cohort consisted of 2,732 adults (1,772 whites and 960 blacks; 1,226 males) who had BMI measured at least 4 times from childhood (4-19 years) to adulthood (20-51 years). A random-effects mixed model was used to construct growth curves of BMI from childhood to adulthood in race-sex groups. Model-estimated linear growth rates (kg/m²/year) in BMI at different childhood ages, calculated by using the first derivatives of the growth curves, were linked to adult obesity (BMI>=30) in multivariable regression models, adjusted for adult age, race, sex, adult smoking and alcohol drinking, and childhood BMI levels. Results: BMI from childhood to adulthood fit cubic growth curves; linear and nonlinear curve parameters differed significantly between race-sex groups. BMI levels showed race and sex differences from age 15 years onwards. Obese adults had significantly higher BMI levels than non-obese adults from childhood to adulthood. Differences in linear and nonlinear slope parameters of BMI between obese and non-obese groups were all significant (p<0.001). The association patterns of childhood BMI growth trajectories with adult obesity were similar in all race-sex groups. In the total sample, the association between childhood BMI growth rate and adult obesity was peaked at age 17 (odds ratio=5.7 and 95% confidence interval=4.7-6.8) as shown in the figure. Conclusions: These observations indicate that adult obesity originates in early life with different longitudinal BMI trajectory profiles. Puberty is a crucial period for the development of obesity in later life, which has implications for obesity prevention beginning in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the progress made by China in reducing maternal and child mortality. Topics discussed include the China National Health and Family Planning Commission's 2012 National Maternal and Child Mortality Surveillance System and attribution of the reductions in maternal and child mortality rates to the economy and health-care services in China.

Summary: Lithium‐ion pouch battery (LIPB) is widely applied in different engineering fields, such as electric vehicles, aeronautics, astronautics, and among others. However, few complete mechanical models with deformation field are presented to predict internal short circuit (ISC) and resistance exterior force property of LIPB under exterior loading. In the present research, the indentation theoretical models with sinusoidal shape function are established to investigate resistance exterior force property of batteries with different positive materials under different punch shapes loading. The effects of indentation displacement and deformation region on indentation force are carried out. By the comparison of indentation force, present theoretical and numerical results are consistent with previous experimental results. The indentation force increases with the punch radius increase, but decreases with the indentation displacement increase. On the basis of energy conservation law, it is concluded that LIPB is more likely to produce mechanical failure and ISC when normalized deformation region is greater than or equal to 0.4 and plastic strain energy ratio is greater than or equal to 1.5. In addition, from resistance exterior force property point of view, LIPB has a better property to resist external force when LiMnNiCoO2, rather than LiCoO2 and Nanophosphate, is used as positive material. The research provides a reference for assessing the safety of LIPB and selecting suitable positive material, which possesses high energy capacity and resistance exterior force property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antennas and metasurfaces have enabled a number of far-field manipulation functions. According to the addition theorem of multipoles, near fields have richer spatial spectra than far fields; hence, in the near-field region, it is easier to achieve complex manipulations on field distributions. In this paper, an algorithm is presented to synthesize the near fields of source arrays. Given target distributions of near-field intensities and also predefined source magnitudes, the algorithm will find the needed source phases, which can then be applied on active antenna arrays and passive metasurfaces to induce the target distribution of fields. The algorithm adopts the dyadic Green’s function as the propagator, and hence, it naturally takes account of the near-field and vector properties of electromagnetic fields. As a typical application of the algorithm, an example is given to obtain the excitation phases of a dipole array, which is then physically imitated by a coding metasurface. Experimental measurement is performed and the result proves the validity of the algorithm. From the perspective of information metasurface, the algorithm finds the phase-coding pattern of metasurface to achieve specific functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The work proposes a simple, efficient and unified approach to combat carbuncle phenomenon. The basic idea of this approach is to construct an affordable shock-stable item into numerical flux. This item is acquired by comparing three-wave Roe solver and two-wave HLL solver based on Roe linearization and the projection of difference term. It is consistent with shear viscosity and meantime restrained by the pressure-based sensing function for shear layer. The proposed enhancement is easy to implement and apply within Roe, HLLEM, HLLC, AUSM+, etc. Several well-known cases illuminate its shock robustness and potential application to hypersonic flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the Chinese Government's enforcement of the salt reduction policy, the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign which was introduced by the Ministry of Health in September 2006.

Background and Objectives: Obesity and related target organ damage such as high carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. However, the association between gut microbiota and obesity combined with high cIMT among children remains unclear. Therefore, we compared differences in composition, community diversity, and richness of gut microbiota among normal children and obesity combined with or without high cIMT to identify differential microbiota biomarkers. Methods and Study Design: A total of 24 children with obesity combined with high cIMT (OB+high-cIMT), 24 with obesity but normal cIMT (OB+non-high cIMT), and 24 with normal weight and normal cIMT aged 10-11 years matched by age and sex from the “Huantai Childhood Cardiovascular Health Cohort Study” were included. All included fecal samples were tested using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The community richness and diversity of gut microbiota in OB+high-cIMT children were decreased compared with OB+non-high cIMT children and normal children. At the genus level, the relative abundances of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, UBA1819, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, and unclassified_o_Bacteroidales were associated with reduced odds of OB+highcIMT among children. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that combined Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, UBA1819, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, and unclassified_o_Bacteroidales performed a high ability in identifying OB+high-cIMT. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) showed that several pathways such as biosynthesis of amino acids and aminoacyl-tRNA pathways were lower in the OB+high-cIMT group compared with the normal group. Conclusions: We found that the alteration of gut microbiota was associated with OB+high-cIMT among children, which indicates that the gut microbiota may be a marker for obesity and related cardiovascular damage among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO), surfactants used in the production of textiles, have the potential to move from the fabric to the skin of the person wearing the clothes, posing an inherent risk of adverse health consequences. Therefore, the textile industry needs a fast, robust method for determining aqueous extractable APEO in fabrics. The currently-favored HPLC methods are limited by the presence of a mixture of analytes (due to the molecular weight distribution) and a lack of analytical standards for quantifying results. As a result, it has not been possible to reach consensus on a standard method for the determination of APEO in textiles. This paper addresses these limitations through the use of reaction-based head space-gas chromatography (HS-GC). Specifically, water is used to simulate body sweat and extract APEO. HI is then used to react the ethoxylate chains to depolymerize the chains into iodoethane that is quantified through HS-GC, providing an estimate of the average amount of APEO in the clothing. Data are presented to justify the optimal operating conditions; i.e., water extraction at 60 °C for 1 h and reaction with a specified amount of HI in the headspace vial at 135 °C for 4 h. The results show that the HS-GC method has good precision (RSD < 10%) and good accuracy (recoveries from 95 to 106%) for the quantification of APEO content in textile and related materials. As such, the method should be a strong candidate to become a standard method for such determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO), surfactants used in the production of textiles, have the potential to move from the fabric to the skin of the person wearing the clothes, posing an inherent risk of adverse health consequences. Therefore, the textile industry needs a fast, robust method for determining aqueous extractable APEO in fabrics. The currently-favored HPLC methods are limited by the presence of a mixture of analytes (due to the molecular weight distribution) and a lack of analytical standards for quantifying results. As a result, it has not been possible to reach consensus on a standard method for the determination of APEO in textiles. This paper addresses these limitations through the use of reaction-based head space-gas chromatography (HS-GC). Specifically, water is used to simulate body sweat and extract APEO. HI is then used to react the ethoxylate chains to depolymerize the chains into iodoethane that is quantified through HS-GC, providing an estimate of the average amount of APEO in the clothing. Data are presented to justify the optimal operating conditions; i.e., water extraction at 60 °C for 1 h and reaction with a specified amount of HI in the headspace vial at 135 °C for 4 h. The results show that the HS-GC method has good precision (RSD < 10%) and good accuracy (recoveries from 95 to 106%) for the quantification of APEO content in textile and related materials. As such, the method should be a strong candidate to become a standard method for such determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Variants in gene encoding glucokinase regulator protein (GCKR) were found to have converse effects on triglycerides and glucose metabolic traits. We aimed to investigate the influence of GCKR variants for triglycerides and glucose metabolic traits in Chinese children and adults. Methods and Results: We genotyped two GCKR variants rs1 260326 and rs1 260333 in children and adults, and analyzed the association between two variants and triglycerides, glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR using linear regression model, and estimated the effect on insulin resistance using logistic regression model. Rs1 260326 and rs1 260333 associated with increased triglycerides in children and adults (p<0.05). In children, both variants significantly reduced insulin (p<0.05. for rs1260326, β = -0.07; for rs1260333, β = -0.07) and HOMA-IR (p<0.05. for rs1260326, β = -0.03; for rs1260333, β= -0.03). There were significant associations between two variants and insulin resistance for children. Under co-dominant model, for CT vs. CC, OR is 0.83 (95%Cl 0.69-1.00) for rs1260326, and 0.83 (95%Cl 0.68-1.00) for rs1260333; for TT vs. CC, OR is 0.72 (95%Cl 0.58-0.88) for rs1260326, and 0.72 (95%Cl 0.58-0.89) for rs1260333. Under allele model, for allele T vs. C, the ORs are 0.85 (95%Cl 0.76-0.94) and 0.85 (95%Cl 0.76-0.94) for rs1260326 and rs1260333, respectively). Conclusions: Our study confirmed the associations between GCKR variants and triglycerides in Chinese children and adults. Triglycerides-increasing alleles of GCKR variants reduce insulin and HOMA-IR index, and protect from insulin resistance in children. Our results suggested GCKR has an effect on development of insulin resistance in Chinese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a calcium-binding matricellular glycoprotein, is implicated in the progression of many cancers. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of SPARC in ovarian cancer. Methods: cDNA microarray analysis was performed to compare gene expression profiles of the highly invasive and the low invasive subclones derived from the SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cell line. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to investigate SPARC expression in a total of 140 ovarian tissue specimens. In functional assays, effects of SPARC knockdown on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells were investigated. The mechanisms of SPARC in ovarian cancer proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were also researched. Results: SPARC was overexpressed in the highly invasive subclone compared with the low invasive subclone. High SPARC expression was associated with high stage, low differentiation, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. Knockdown of SPARC expression significantly suppressed ovarian cancer cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell invasion and metastasis. Conclusion: SPARC is overexpressed in highly invasive subclone and ovarian cancer tissues and plays an important role in ovarian cancer growth, apoptosis and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that the −308A allele in the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene promoter (rs1800629) may be a potential risk factor for COPD. However, more recent findings have been inconsistent. In the present study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between the TNF-α−308G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the risk of COPD. Published studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE and other databases. All studies assessing the association between the TNF-α−308G/A SNP and the risk of COPD were assessed. Pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated. In the 36 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 4975 patients and 6518 control subjects had been genotyped. The overall results showed that the association between the TNF-α−308G/A SNP and the risk of COPD was statistically significant for Asians (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.84-3.02, P < 0.0001) but not for Caucasians (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.91-1.25, P = 0.438). As smoking is one of the most important risk factors for COPD, a second meta-analysis that included only smokers (3018 patients and 2749 control subjects) was performed. This analysis confirmed that the association between the TNF-α−308G/A SNP and COPD was statistically significant for Asians (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.14-2.61, P = 0.011) but not for Caucasians (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.86-1.56, P = 0.33). This meta-analysis suggests that the TNF-α−308A genotype is associated with an increased risk of COPD in Asian but not Caucasian populations. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the relationship between TNF-α polymorphisms and the risk of COPD. An updated meta-analysis shows that the TNF-α−308A genotype is associated with an increased risk for development of COPD in Asian but not Caucasian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the association of breastfeeding status with offspring mortality in Africa, but most studies were from one center only or had limited statistical power to draw robust conclusions. METHODS: Data came from 75 nationally representative cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys in 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa conducted between 2000 and 2016. Our study relied on 217 112 individuals aged 4 days to 23 months for breastfeeding pattern analysis, 161 322 individuals aged 6 to 23 months for breastfeeding history analysis, and 104 427 individuals aged 12 to 23 months for breastfeeding duration analysis. RESULTS: Compared with children aged 4 days to 23 months exclusively breastfed in the first 3 days of life, those not breastfed had a high risk of mortality at <2 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 13.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.43-15.83). Young children who were predominantly breastfed or partially breastfed had moderately increased risk of mortality at,2 years of age (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03-1.21 for predominant pattern; OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.99-1.27 for partial pattern). Compared with children aged 6 to 23 months who were breastfed within the first 6 months of life, those not breastfed had a high risk of mortality (OR = 5.65; 95% CI = 4.27-7.47). Compared with children aged 12 to 23 months who were breastfed for $6 months, those who were breastfed for shorter periods had a higher risk of mortality (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.45-5.32 for duration of <3 months; OR = 5.28, 95% CI = 3.24-8.61 for those who were not breastfed). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age recommended by the World Health Organization for reducing mortality of children <2 years old in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hyperbolic energy stable flux reconstruction method (HFR) towards linear and nonlinear problems is presented. • Mathematical analysis confirms that HFR method is consistent and stable for linear problems. • HFR method is potential in accuracy and efficiency for solving steady viscous problems. • Numerical simulations for Navier-Stokes systems are conducted, verifying the ability of HFR for real physical problems. The paper devises high-order energy stable flux reconstruction method towards first-order hyperbolic linear advection-diffusion and nonlinear Navier-Stokes problems (HFR). The underlying idea is to take the advantages of high-order differential framework from flux reconstruction and accurate gradient solution from first-order hyperbolic system. By means of the additional gradient equation, the linear advection-diffusion system is recast as hyperbolic formulation, which is equivalent to original equation when pseudo time derivatives are dropped, and then diffusive fluxes are directly solved by flux reconstruction. The resulting scheme has compact stencils and high accuracy without increasing computation cost. Mathematical analysis is presented to confirm that HFR method is consistent and stable for all orders of accuracy, at least for linear problems. In addition, numerical results for linear and nonlinear problems demonstrate that HFR method can achieve the desired accuracy for both primitive and gradient variable, reduce the absolute error of gradient variable, and allow a larger maximum CFL number compared to the existing methods, such as BR2 and direct flux reconstruction (DFR). It indicates that HFR method is potential in accuracy and efficiency for solving steady viscous problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanide extraction dominates the gold smelting industry, which leads to the generation of large amounts of cyanide-containing wastewater. In this study, Aneurinibacillus tyrosinisolvens strain named JK-1 was used for cyanide wastewater biodegradation. First, we tested the performance of JK-1 in degrading cyanide under different conditions. Then, we screened metabolic compounds and pathways associated with cyanide degradation by JK-1. Finally, we explored the potential JK-1–mediated cyanide degradation pathway. Our results showed that the optimal pH and temperature for cyanide biodegradation were 7.0 and 30 °C, respectively; under these conditions, a degradation rate of >98% was achieved within 48 h. Untargeted metabolomics results showed that increased cyanide concentration decreased the abundance of metabolic compounds by 71.1% but upregulated 32 metabolic pathways. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results revealed significant changes in amino acid metabolism pathways during cyanide degradation by JK-1, including cyanoamino acid metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, and glutamate metabolism. Differential metabolic compounds included acetyl-CoA, l -asparagine, l -glutamic acid, l -phenylalanine, and l -glutamine. These results confirmed that cyanide degradation by JK-1 occurs through amino acid assimilation. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of cyanide biodegradation, which can be applied in the treatment of cyanide wastewater or tailings. [Display omitted] • Screening of a cyanide degrading bacterial strain from cyanide tailings. • Optimal conditions for bacterial degradation of cyanide were determined. • A potential metabolic mechanism for cyanide degradation by bacteria was revealed. • Cyanide metabolism by JK-1 bacteria through amino acid assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the lift enhancement effect with a channel wing propeller configuration. Numerical simulations and flow field analysis are performed to investigate the influence (the relative position and spacing, angles of attack (AoA), propeller speed, incoming flow speed) on the lift enhancement effect. The aerodynamic performance is numerically simulated by the method of multi-reference frame (MRF). Numerical results demonstrate that the propeller suction process has a very significant lifting effect. The lifting effect can reach 5 times contrast to the single channel wing. The propeller located at 100% of the chord length of the channel wing achieves the best lift enhancement effect. The intervention of the propeller delays the flow separation at the trailing edge of the channel wing. It holds a high lift coefficient at a high AoA. The lift line slope remains essentially unchanged in the range of 0–30°. It is roughly the same as that of the single channel wing configuration before stall. With the increase of propeller speed or incoming flow speed, the lift coefficient increases significantly. The lift line slope is approximately the same at different speeds. The regularity functions of different coefficient are obtained through mechanism analysis and least squares data fitting methods. The lift coefficient changes with the AoA in a linear relationship and with the propeller speed or incoming flow speed in a quadratic relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studies the lift enhancement effect with a channel wing propeller configuration. Numerical simulations and flow field analysis are performed to investigate the influence (the relative position and spacing, angles of attack (AoA), propeller speed, incoming flow speed) on the lift enhancement effect. The aerodynamic performance is numerically simulated by the method of multi-reference frame (MRF). Numerical results demonstrate that the propeller suction process has a very significant lifting effect. The lifting effect can reach 5 times contrast to the single channel wing. The propeller located at 100% of the chord length of the channel wing achieves the best lift enhancement effect. The intervention of the propeller delays the flow separation at the trailing edge of the channel wing. It holds a high lift coefficient at a high AoA. The lift line slope remains essentially unchanged in the range of 0–30°. It is roughly the same as that of the single channel wing configuration before stall. With the increase of propeller speed or incoming flow speed, the lift coefficient increases significantly. The lift line slope is approximately the same at different speeds. The regularity functions of different coefficient are obtained through mechanism analysis and least squares data fitting methods. The lift coefficient changes with the AoA in a linear relationship and with the propeller speed or incoming flow speed in a quadratic relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the digital signal processing (DSP) techniques, two simple implementations of the stretched coordinate perfectly matched layer (SC-PML) are proposed in this letter. Specially, they are based on the bilinear Z-transform and matched Z-transform methods, respectively. In addition, incorporating the concept of generalized material independent PML into these formulations enable them to be completely independent of material properties. Thus, these new implementations can be used to terminate the finite-difference time-domain lattices composed of arbitrary media. As for resource utilization, the proposals can guarantee that only one auxiliary variable is needed for each field component in the whole PML regions. A brief comparison of the number of floating-point operations and constant coefficients successfully shows that they can achieve a bit higher efficiency compared with other published efficient SC-PML implementations. Finally, two numerical examples of electromagnetic waves radiating in vacuum and soil half-space are provided to validate these DSP-based algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hexavalent chromium is mainly determined by traditional spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, and ion chromatography methods. In the present work, a reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was firstly developed for the determination of hexavalent chromium in textiles. The sample was extracted by acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer solution and followed by derivatization with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. The resulting derivative product was extracted by ethyl acetate, separated on a C18 column, and detected through electrospray ionization source in the positive mode with multiple reaction monitoring conditions. The derivatization reaction conditions were investigated and optimized. The developed method was validated in terms of the sensitivity, linearity range, matrix effects, recovery, accuracy, intra‐ and interday precision. Results showed that the calibration curves of pure solvent and matrix were linear over the selected concentration ranges of 0.1–20.0 μg/L. The achieved instrument and method limit of quantification were 0.1 and 40.0 μg/kg, respectively. Recoveries were calculated at three spiked concentrations and the values were between 92.2 and 103% with relative standard deviation values of 2.7–4.9% for intra‐day precision and 6.1% for inter‐day precision. Successful analysis of hexavalent chromium in practical textiles indicated that there was hexavalent chromium contamination in textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To compare consumption of carbonated soft drinks among young adolescents in 53 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods. We used 2009 to 2013 Global School-based Student Health Survey data to assess 137 449 young adolescents aged 12 to 15 years with available data (via a standardized questionnaire) on frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption. Results. Overall, young adolescents reported having consumed carbonated soft drinks 1.39 times per day (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26, 1.51), and 54.3% of adolescents reported consuming a carbonated soft drink at least once per day. Frequency (times per day) varied greatly across countries, ranging from 0.52 (95% CI = 0.43, 0.60) in Kiribati to 2.39 (95% CI = 2.25, 2.53) in Suriname. Conclusions. Our data confirm that consumption of carbonated soft drinks is frequentamong young adolescents in LMICs.Ourfindings highlight the need for interventions in these countries to reduce adolescents' carbonated soft drink consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high solubility and lifelong stability of crystallins are crucial to the maintenance of lens transparency and optical properties. Numerous crystallin mutations have been linked to congenital cataract, which is one of the leading causes of newborn blindness. Besides cataract, several crystallin mutations have also been linked to syndromes such as congenital microcornea-cataract syndrome (CMCC). However, the molecular mechanism of CMCC caused by crystallin mutations remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of CMCC caused by the X253R mutation in βB1-crystallin. The exogenously expressed X253R proteins were prone to form p62-negative aggregates in HeLa cells, strongly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. The intracellular X253R aggregates could be successfully redissolved by lanosterol but not cholesterol. The extra 26 residues at the C-terminus of βB1-crystallin introduced by the X253R mutation had little impact on βB1- crystallin structure and stability, but increased βB1-crystallin hydrophobicity and decreased its solubility. Interestingly, the X253R mutant fully abolished the aggregatory propensity of βB1- and βA3/βB1-crystallins at high temperatures, suggesting that X253R was an aggregation-inhibition mutation of β-crystallin homomers and heteromers in dilute solutions. Our results suggest that an increase in hydrophobicity and a decrease in solubility might be responsible for cataractogenesis induced by the X253R mutation, while the cytotoxic effect of X253R aggregates might contribute to the defects in ocular development. Our results also highlight that, at least in some cases, the aggregatory propensity in dilute solutions could not fully mimic the behaviours of mutated proteins in the crowded cytoplasm of the cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β/γ-Crystallins, the major structural proteins in human lens, are highly conserved in their tertiary structures but distinct in the quaternary structures. The N- and C-terminal extensions have been proposed to play a crucial role in mediating the size of β-crystallin assembly. In this research, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the congenital hereditary cataract caused by the recently characterized A2V mutation in βB2-crystallin. Spectroscopic experiments indicated that the mutation did not affect the secondary and tertiary structures of βB2-crystallin. The mutation did not affect the formation of βB2/βA3-crystallin heteromer as well as the stability and folding of the heteromer, suggesting that the mutation might not interfere with the protein interacting network in the lens. However, the tetramerization of βB2-crystallin at high protein concentrations was retarded by the A2V mutation. The mutation slightly decreased the thermal stability and promoted the thermal aggregation of βB2-crystallin. Although it did not influence the stability of βB2-crystallin against denaturation induced by chemical denaturants and UV irradiation, the A2V mutant was more prone to be trapped in the off-pathway aggregation process during kinetic refolding. Our results suggested that the A2V mutation might lead to injury of lens optical properties by decreasing βB2-crystallin stability against heat treatment and by impairing βB2-crystallin assembly into high-order homo-oligomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) is thought to be involved in detoxifying several carcinogens and may play a vital role in tumorigenesis. Numerous studies have evaluated the association between GSTM1 null/present polymorphism and risk of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the results remain inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation, we performed a meta-analysis. Methodology/Principal Findings: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all eligible case-control studies. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. The overall association was significant (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11-1.48, P = 0.001). Moreover, subgroup analyses showed GSTM1 null genotype significantly associated with PCa risk among Asians (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.78, P = 0.03) but not among Caucasians (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.96-1.31, P = 0.16). In addition, we did not find that smoking modified the genotype effect on the risk of PCa. Conclusions/Significance: The present meta-analysis suggested that GSTM1 null allele was a low-penetrant risk factor for PCa among Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) in base excision repair (BER) pathway plays a vital role in DNA repair. Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and the risk of cancer. However, the results of these studies on the association remain conflicting. To derive a more precise estimation of the association, we conducted a meta-analysis. Methodology/Principal Findings: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify the eligible studies of hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and cancer risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. We found that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism was significantly associated with overall cancer risk (Cys/Cys vs. Ser/Ser: OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.09-1.30, P<0.001; Cys/Cys vs. Cys/Ser+Ser/Ser: OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.08- 1.26, P<0.001). Moreover, in subgroup analyses by cancer types, the stronger significant association between hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found (Cys/Cys vs. Ser/Ser: OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.16-1.44, P<0.001; Cys/ Cys vs. Cys/Ser+Ser/Ser: OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 1.12-1.33, P<0.001). The significant effects of hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism on colorectal, breast, bladder, prostate, esophageal, and gastric cancer were not detected. In addition, in subgroup analyses by ethnicities, we found that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism was associated with overall cancer risk in Asians (Cys/Cys vs. Ser/Ser: OR = 1.21, 95%CI = 1.10-1.33, P<0.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that hOGG1 326Cys allele might be a low-penetrant risk factor for lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γD-crystallin is one of the major structural proteins in human eye lens. The solubility and stability of γD-crystallin play a crucial role in maintaining the optical properties of the lens during the life span of an individual. Previous study has shown that the inherited mutation G61C results in autosomal dominant congenital cataract. In this research, we studied the effects of the G61C mutation on γD-crystallin structure, stability and aggregation via biophysical methods. γD, intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the G61C mutation did not affect the native structure of γD-crystallin. The stability of γD-crystallin against heat- or GdnHCl-induced denaturation was significantly decreased by the mutation, while no influence was observed on the acid-induced unfolding. The mutation mainly affected the transition from the native state to the intermediate but not that from the intermediate to the unfolded or aggregated states. At high temperatures, both proteins were able to form aggregates, and the aggregation of the mutant was much more serious than the wild type protein at the same temperature. At body temperature and acidic conditions, the mutant was more prone to form amyloidlike fibrils. The aggregation-prone property of the mutant was not altered by the addition of reductive reagent. These results suggested that the decrease in protein stability followed by aggregation-prone property might be the major cause in the hereditary cataract induced by the G61C mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD) experiments were carried out at beam line 3W1B of the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The results demonstrate the experimental XMLD spectra of Co35Fe65 alloy film annealed with and without oxygen gas, in agreement with the ligand field multiplet calculation. It can be concluded that cobalt atoms are more difficult to oxidize than iron atoms. The oxygen atoms inserting into the sample surface interval lead to the lattice distortion and the fine tuning of the occupation number of absorption atom d-orbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]