Search

Background: The key to enhancing the efficacy of antagonistic regimens in pregnancy is to better synchronize follicular growth during cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), especially in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). During in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment, luteal phase estrogen pretreatment may enhance follicular development synchronization and yield of mature oocytes. However, the effect of estrogen pretreatment in DOR patients with elevated basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels has not been well studied. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with elevated basal FSH levels and DOR (401 cycles) who underwent IVF/intracytoplasmic monosperm injection (ICSI)-assisted conception. Both groups were treated with a flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist regimen and were further divided into two groups according to whether they received luteal estrogen pretreatment. There were 79 patients in the estrogen pretreatment group and 322 patients in the control group. On the second day of the menstrual cycle, gonadotropin (Gn) stimulation of the ovaries was initiated. The general characteristics, clinical, biological parameters and outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results: The basic profiles of the two groups were similar (P > 0.05). More patients in the pretreatment group showed FSH rebound after gonadotropin (Gn) initiation, resulting in a significantly higher number of Gn days and total Gn than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of days of antagonist use, follicle output rate (FORT), number of metaphase II(MII)eggs obtained, number of Two pronuclei (2PN) fertilized, number of D3 quality embryos, blastocyst formation rate, fresh embryo clinical pregnancy rate, cumulative pregnancy rate, and non-transferable embryo rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The use of luteal phase estrogen pretreatment in patients with elevated basal FSH combined with DOR resulted in high FSH levels after the release of negative feedback, which was detrimental to early follicular growth, did not increase the follicular output rate, may have increased the use and duration of controlled ovarian stimulation drugs, and did not increase the number of eggs gained or improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer associated with a high mortality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as regulators in the development and progression of several cancers, and therefore represent an opportunity to uncover new targets for therapy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential effect of lncRNA BZRAP1-AS1 on the angiogenesis of HCC.Methods: Microarray-based data analysis was initially employed to screen genes and lncRNAs that are differentially expressed in HCC and the candidate BZRAP1-AS1 was identified as a hit. The expression of BZRAP1-AS1 and thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) in HCC tissues and cells were then determined using RT-qPCR. The gene methylation level was measured by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) assays. Next, the interactions between BZRAP1-AS1, DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3b), and THBS1 were assessed by RIP, RNA pull-down and ChIP assays. Finally, the roles of BZRAP1-AS1, DNMT3b and THBS1 in angiogenesis in vitro as well as tumorigenesis in vivo were evaluated by a battery of the gain- and loss-of function experiments.Results: BZRAP1-AS1 was identified as a highly expressed lncRNA in HCC tissues and cells. Down-regulation of BZRAP1-AS1 in HCC cells inhibited HUVEC proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. By interacting with DNMT3b, BZRAP1-AS1 induced methylation of the THBS1 promoter and inhibited the transcription of THBS1, resulting in promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs. Moreover, silencing of BZRAP1-AS1 repressed the angiogenesis as well as the tumor growth of HCC in vivo via up-regulating THBS1.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that angiogenesis in HCC is hindered by silencing of BZRAP1-AS1. Thus, BZRAP1-AS1 may be a promising marker for the treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The noise of slat in the high-lift device of large aircraft is one of the main noise sources of large aircraft during take-off and landing. This paper investigates a noise reduction measure which consists in droop nose for high-lift device of three-dimensional sweep wing instead of leading-edge slat. The unsteady flow field and the far-field noise are predicted by a hybrid SA-IDDES method coupled with the integration of the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings equation (FW-H). Based on the optimal droop nose configuration from 2D airfoil, the results of the 3D swept wing model with the droop nose on the leading edge of the inner wing are given. Numerical results show that the droop nose configuration can reduce the overall sound pressure level (OASPL) of the intermediate frequency noise, and the peak noise can be reduced by 15 dB, and the sound pressure level of the broadband noise at low and high frequencies is also partially suppressed. The maximum lift-to-drag ratio of the droop nose configuration increased by 2.7 %. In addition, the noise reduction mechanism of leading-edge droop is analyzed by combining the vortex sound theory and the generation and evolution process of the vortex structure. The leading-edge droop nose configuration fundamentally not only eliminates the vortex structure of the slat cove of the leading-edge slat configuration, but also avoids the interaction between the slat slot flow and the upper surface of the main wing. These directly lead to a thinner boundary layer vortex near the top of the main wing, and the wall pressure pulsation is smaller than that of the leading-edge slat high-lift device, thereby reducing noise. The reduction of the BEF distribution on the upper surface boundary shows again that the droop nose inhibits the vortex on the upper surface of the main wing. The change of the Lamb vector divergence reveals the noise reduction mechanism of the drooping leading edge configuration directly from the sound source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkyl β‐D‐maltosides are an important class of sugar‐based nonionic surfactants and have been widely studied. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to investigate further their amphiphilic structure‐surface property relationships. In this article, we reported a series of properties of synthetic alkyl β‐D‐maltosides (6a–6i, n = 6–18) including their hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) number, water solubility, hygroscopicity, moisture‐retention capacity, foaming ability, surface tension, thermotropic phase behavior, and skin irritation. Their HLB number and water solubility decreased with increasing alkyl chain length. Hexyl β‐D‐maltoside exhibited the strongest hygroscopicity and moisture‐retention capacity. Decyl β‐D‐maltoside and dodecyl β‐D‐maltoside possessed excellent foaming power and foaming stability. Furthermore, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of alkyl β‐D‐maltoside (6a–6g, n = 6–14) and their surface tension at CMC decreased with increasing alkyl chain length. At last, alkyl β‐D‐maltosides (6a–6g) should be considered as safe surfactants by the skin irritation assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylα-D-galactopyranosides are sugar-based nonionic surfactants, and it is necessary to research their structure–property relationships since it is not quite clear that the change of the alkyl chain length has effects on a series of physicochemical properties. Here, alkylα-D-galactopyranosides were prepared by galactose and alcohols through three steps including acetylation, coupling with alcohols in the presence of a catalyst stannic chloride, and deprotection. Furthermore, their water solubility and other properties were investigated. Alkylα-D-galactopyranosides (4a ∼ 4e,n = 6 ∼ 10) were water soluble, and their dissolution process in water was an endothermic process. Nonylα-D-galactopyranoside (4d) showed excellent foaming ability and foam stability. Octylα-D-galactopyranoside (4c) had the strongest emulsifying ability for toluene and nonylα-D-galactopyranoside (4d) had the strongest emulsifying ability for rapeseed oil. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values and surface tension at the CMC were decreasing with increasing alkyl chain length. Their standard free energy of adsorption (ΔGads) was more negative than their standard free energy of micellization (ΔGmic). The moisture-absorption abilities were weakening with increasing alkyl chain length. Alkylα-D-galactopyranosides (4a ∼4f) were thermally stable below 280°C. Alkylα-D-galactopyranosides (4c ∼4f) had the optical texture of the thermotropic liquid crystal smectic A phase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A series of alkyl β- d-galactopyranosides were prepared by the trichloroacetimidate method with d-galactose and alcohols with different chain lengths as raw materials. Their solubility, surface tension, emulsification, foaming, wettability, thermotropic liquid crystalline properties, and thermal stability were investigated. Alkyl β- d-galactopyranosides are soluble in water and ethanol, and the solubility decreases with increasing alkyl chain length. Decyl β- d-galactopyranoside was insoluble in water, but soluble in ethanol. Dissolution of alkyl β- d-galactopyranoside in water is an endothermic process with dissolution enthalpies greater than zero. Nonyl β- d-galactopyranoside had an excellent emulsifying property, better foaming ability and the best foam stability. The CMC values of alkyl β- d-galactopyranosides decrease with increasing of alkyl chain length. Alkyl β- d-galactopyranosides are thermally stable up to 270 °C. Alkyl β- d-galactopyranosides show the distinctive optical texture of a thermotropic liquid crystal smectic A type phase. Decyl β- d-galactopyranoside showed the strongest wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the published works related to noise generation in high-lift devices only consider clean idealized geometries, whereas real aircraft wings contain important parts called the slat tracks that connect the slat and the main wing. To investigate the effects of slat tracks on the ambient flow and noise, simulations are performed for wings based on the 30P30N airfoil. Two configurations are considered, i.e., the 30P30N wing with and without a slat track. Improved detached-eddy simulation is carried out to compute the unsteady near-field flow. The far-field noise propagation is calculated using the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation. The results show that the installation of the slat track has observable effects on the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performances of the high-lift devices. The maximum lift coefficient of the high-lift device and the stall angle of attack is reduced. Low-frequency broadband noise radiated from the main wing is significantly increased and the directivity of the overall sound pressure level is changed due to the slat track. The far-field noise from the configuration with the slat track displays noticeable sensitivity to the angle of attack. The slat track has an amplification effect on the high-pressure fluctuation on the main wing, especially at a small angle of attack. This leads to nearly 10 dB in the far-field noise based on the discussed wing section. To reveal the relative noise mechanism, vortical structures near the slat track, large-scale spanwise flows above the main wing, and the vortex dynamics are investigated. A spiral vortex pair is captured as the most important flow structure. It is generated in the spanwise direction by the interaction of slat wakes with the boundary layer on the upper surface of the main wing. The pressure fluctuations on the main wing are highly correlated with this flow structure, which cannot be ignored for the study of noise in a real aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] BTG3 expression is frequently suppressed in NSCLC. [•] Two BTG3 isoforms present in lung cancer. [•] BTG3 inhibits lung cancer growth. [•] Restoration of BTG3 inhibits autophagy in lung cancer cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel wall treatment method, termed as the Slat Cove Wavy Wall (SCWW), is proposed to improve both the aero-acoustic and the aerodynamic performances of high-lift devices. By this treatment, a wavy pattern is imposed on the wall in the slat cove. In the present work, slats with three different SCWWs are designed and applied to a straight wing composed by 30P30N airfoil. Numerical simulations and analyses are conducted to unveil the underlying mechanisms of noise reduction. The unsteady flow field and the far-field noise are predicted by a hybrid SA-IDDES method followed by the integration of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation. The modified high-lift device is proved to be able to improve the aero-acoustic performance by reducing the low-frequency components of the radiated noise. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic performance is maintained or improved under proper design parameters. The boundary layer separation in the slat cove is accelerated by the SCWW, which transforms low-frequency periodic vortex shedding to high-frequency turbulent flow. This results in the sound energy shift from low-frequency noise to high-frequency broadband noise. The SCWW method is proved to be effective in redistribution of boundary vorticity flux on the slat lower surface. To reveal the mechanism of the SCWW's drag and noise reduction, the vortex dynamic processes near the slat lower surface in terms of the Lamb vector divergence are further investigated. It is found that the Lamb vector divergence is directly related to both the noise source and the drag. The interaction area of positive and negative Lamb vector divergence can be balanced and decreased by SCWW, resulting in the drag and noise reduction. As expressed by the vortex dynamic processes, this feature implies the SCWW method is of great potential in noise attenuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This article proposes a novel angle representation method for floating‐point number, which eliminates the need for DSP (Digital Signal Processor) resources and reduces the resource usage when performing floating‐point multiplication. Compared with the implementation of floating‐point multiplier using IP cores, the implementation of approximate multiplication based on lookup tables can achieve an average reduction of 58.2% in LUTs (look‐up tables) and an average increase of 20.4% in frequency for mantissa widths ranging from 3 to 12 bits. Additionally, it can also save an average of 23.2% in registers. Analysis of PDP (power‐delay product)/LUT to MRED (mean relative error distance)/PRED (probability of relative error distance) among other approximate multipliers shows that the proposed design extends the Pareto front. At last, simulation of a three‐level inverter is implemented to verify the effectiveness of the multiplier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: T‐cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain‐4 (TIM‐4) is selectively expressed on antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and modulates various immune responses. However, the role of TIM‐4 expressed by Kupffer cells (KCs) in liver fibrosis remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore whether and how TIM‐4 expressed by KCs is involved in liver fibrosis. Materials and Methods: Mice chronic liver fibrosis models were established and divided into the olive‐induced control group, CCL4‐induced control group, olive‐induced TIM‐4 interference group and CCL4‐induced TIM‐4 interference group. Different techniques were used to monitor the fibrotic effects of TIM‐4, including histopathological assays, Western blotting, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, mice liver transplant models were established to determine the fibrotic effects of TIM‐4 on fibrosis after liver transplantation (LT). Results: We found that the induction of liver fibrosis by CCL4 was associated with TIM‐4 expression in KCs. TIM‐4 interference essentially contributed to liver fibrosis resolution. KCs from the TIM‐4 interference group had decreased levels of pro‐fibrotic markers, reduced TGF‐β1 secretion and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSC) differentiation into myofibroblast‐like cells. In addition, we used GdCl3 to verify that KCs are the primary source of TGF‐β1 during fibrosis progression. Moreover, KCs from CCL4‐induced mice showed increased ROS production, mitophagy activation and TGF‐β1 secretion. However, TIM‐4 interference in the KCs inhibited Akt1‐mediated ROS production, resulting in the suppression of PINK1, Parkin and LC3‐II/I activation and the reduction of TGF‐β1 secretion during liver fibrosis. Additionally, TIM‐4 interference potentially attenuated development of fibrosis after LT. Conclusions: Our findings revealed the underlying mechanisms of TIM‐4 interference in KCs to mitigate liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of noise caused by the flow around a cylinder and its control are important in various engineering applications. Based on computational fluid dynamics with acoustic analogy and the vortex dynamics theory analysis, this study aims at investigating the ability of the wavy cylinder in improving aerodynamic performance and reducing aerodynamic noise. Noise control mechanisms with different Reynolds numbers are analyzed. The results show that the wavy cylinder is helpful for the reduction of the average drag coefficient and is efficient in suppressing fluctuation of the lift coefficient; consequently, the overall noise of the wavy cylinder is reduced. Specifically, the tonal noise is significantly suppressed or even eliminated under proper configurations. To explore the underlying noise suppression mechanisms, the process of vorticity generation around the wavy cylinder surface is examined in detail. The vorticity distribution on the surface of the wavy cylinder is profoundly improved, and the distribution of the boundary vorticity flux and boundary enstrophy flux is also remarkably weakened. As a result, the generation of vorticity near the wavy cylinder wall is diminished. These directly lead to a significant contraction of the vortex structure distribution in the wavy cylinder wake, especially for some large-scale vortex structures. Moreover, periodic vortex shedding is significantly suppressed in the case with high Reynolds numbers, which might be the main reasons for noise reduction. The interaction area of the positive and negative Lamb vector divergence, which is closely related to the noise generation, is decreased. This contributes to drag reduction and noise attenuation. This indicates that drag reduction and noise suppression are closely bounded in the wavy cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ediacaran–Cambrian Phosphogenic Episode is the Earth's first true phosphogenic event and resulted in worldwide phosphate deposits, which occurred during the processes of the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. The Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (ca. 635–551 Ma) of Weng'an area in central Guizhou, South China, contains two economic phosphorite beds (the Lower and Upper Phosphorite Beds). This paper presents a detailed stratigraphic, sedimentological and mineralogical study of multiple outcrop and drill core sections of the Doushantuo Formation across the Weng'an area, and identified 11 lithofacies and 4 types of phosphatic grains. Significant differences in lithofacies and grain types between the upper and lower phosphate deposits are observed, indicating that the two sets of phosphate deposits are the products of two distinct phosphogenic processes. The Lower Phosphorite Bed mainly consists of banded and laminated phosphorites, contains micro-oncoids formed by microbially-mediated precipitation and peloids formed by in-situ chemically oscillating reactions, indicating a biochemical and chemical enrichment of phosphorus to sediments during the Early Ediacaran Period. The Upper Phosphorite Bed is mainly composed of carbonaceous, massive, and stromatolitic phosphorites, contains bioclasts (phosphatized spheroidal fossils), and intraclasts formed by hydrodynamic agitation, suggesting that the major accesses of phosphorus to sediments were the remineralization of organic P. Deposition of the two economic phosphorite beds was controlled by two sea-level cycles. Such differences have also been documented in contemporaneous phosphate-bearing successions in Brazil and Mangolia, indicating a significant shift in global phosphogenic mechanism during the early and middle Ediacaran, which may be due to the changes in redox conditions in seawater, associated with the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. These regional active P-cycle processes could produce more free oxygen, which may have contributed to the upcoming Phanerozoic global oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the left ventricular (LV) myocardial tissue characteristics in early adult obesity and its association with regional adipose tissue and ectopic fat deposition. Methods: Forty-nine obese adults (mean body mass index: 29.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2) and 44 healthy controls were prospectively studied. LV native and post-contrast T1 values, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), regional adipose tissue (epicardial, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (EAT, VAT, and SAT)), and ectopic fat deposition (hepatic and pancreatic proton density fat fractions (H-PDFF and P-PDFF)) based on magnetic resonance imaging were compared. The association was assessed by multivariable linear regression. Results: The obese participants showed reduced global ECV compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in global native or post-contrast T1 values between the two groups. Additionally, the obese individuals exhibited higher EAT, VAT, SAT, H-PDFF, and P-PDFF than the controls (p < 0.05). ECV was associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that H-PDFF and SAT were independently associated with ECV in entire population (β = − 0.123 and − 0.012; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Reduced myocardial ECV in patients with mild-to-moderate obesity and its relationship to SBP may indicate that cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, rather than extracellular matrix expansion, is primarily responsible for myocardial tissue remodeling in early adult obesity. Our findings further imply that H-PDFF and SAT are linked with LV myocardial tissue remodeling in this cohort beyond the growth difference and cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical trials registration: Effect of lifestyle intervention on metabolism of obese patients based on smart phone software (ChiCTR1900026476). Clinical relevance statement: Myocardial fibrosis in severe obesity predicts poor prognosis. We showed that cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, not myocardial fibrosis, is the main myocardial tissue characteristic of early obesity. This finding raises the possibility that medical interventions, like weight loss, may prevent cardiac fibrosis. Key Points: • Myocardial tissue characteristics in early adult obesity are unclear. • Myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) can be quantitatively evaluated using T1 mapping based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). • Cardiac MRI-derived ECV may noninvasively evaluate myocardial tissue remodeling in early adult obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatectomy of large hepatocellular carcinomas (>10 cm) in over 70 year-old patients is presumed futile. We retrospectively reviewed 5970 patients with liver tumors Jan 2010 through Dec 2016 in our institute, of them, 37 older patients with large hepatocellular carcinomas staged I-III and Child-Pugh A liver functions receiving conservative treatments (conservative group, n = 37) and 16 older patients with large hepatocellular carcinomas staged I- III who underwent partial hepatectomy (resection group, n = 16) were included, the risk factors for poor survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Compared with the conservative treatments, Partial hepatectomy achieved better median survival time (25.5 months versus 11 months, log-rank = 0.0001) and better median performance status (1 versus 3, p = 0.023), there was different in Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.019). For the conservative group, the 3-month, 1, 2, 3-year survival rate was 78.4%, 43.2%, 5.4%, 0%; for the resection group, The 3-month, 1, 2, 3-year survival rate was 100%, 93.7.2%, 56.3%, 12.5%; Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the Charlson comorbidity index and the performance status associated with poor outcomes of those patients (p = 0.001, 0.018, respectively). Resections of large hepatocellular carcinomas in older patients can be performed safely to prolong life expectancy and improve life quality with or without cancer recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the classification and changes of macrophage subsets in liver transplant rejection. Methods Rat liver transplantation model were established and divided into immune tolerance group (B-B), where the liver of BN rat donors was transplanted to BN rat recipients, and immune rejection group (L-B), in which the liver of Lewis rat donors was transplanted to BN rat recipients. Single-cell RNA sequencing and highthroughput RNA sequencing were used to distinguish the macrophage subsets of rat liver transplantation, and to find differential gene in rejection reactions. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the changes and distribution of protein expression and cell subsets. Results CD68 positive macrophages were higher in the rejection group than that in the tolerance group (P < 0.05), and macrophages could be divided into 9 subsets. During the rejection reaction, the CXC chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) in the 8th subsets of macrophages was significantly increased, while the gene for white blood cell differentiation antigen 74 (CD74) in the 5th subsets was significantly increased (P < 0.05). CD74 ranked first in the differential gene synthesis of macrophages during rejection, followed by CXCL9. Compared with the tolerance group, a large number of CD74 positive macrophages were observed in the hepatic portal area of the rejection group, and the infiltration of CD74 positive macrophages in the hepatic sinuses was also significantly increased (P < 0.05), while a large number of CXCL9 positive macrophages were observed in the hepatic portal area and hepatic sinuses of the rejection group, especially in the portal area (P < 0.05), and CD14 positive cells were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusions The CD74 positive macrophage subsets and CXCL9 positive macrophage subsets may be key subgroups in promoting liver transplant rejection, improving the mechanism of macrophage action in liver transplant rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that has a bad prognosis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in a wide variety of biological activities due to the fact that it is the most common form of mRNA modification in mammals. Numerous research has accumulated evidence suggesting that a malfunction in the regulation of m6A RNA modification is associated with various illnesses, including cancers. However, its implications in PC remain poorly characterized. The methylation data, level 3 RNA sequencing data, and clinical information of PC patients were all retrieved from the TCGA datasets. Genes associated with m6A RNA methylation were compiled from the existing body of research and made available for download from the m6Avar database. The LASSO Cox regression method was used to construct a 4-gene methylation signature, which was then used to classify all PC patients included in the TCGA dataset into either a low- or high-risk group. In this study, based on the set criteria of cor > 0.4 and p value < 0.05. A total of 3507 gene methylation were identified to be regulated by m6A regulators. Based on the univariate Cox regression analysis and identified 3507 gene methylation, 858 gene methylation was significantly associated with the patient's prognosis. The multivariate Cox regression analysis identified four gene methylation (PCSK6, HSP90AA1, TPM3, and TTLL6) to construct a prognosis model. Survival assays indicated that the patients in the high-risk group tend to have a worse prognosis. ROC curves showed that our prognosis signature had a good prediction ability on patient survival. Immune assays suggested a different immune infiltration pattern in patients with high- and low-risk scores. Moreover, we found that two immune-related genes, CTLA4 and TIGIT, were downregulated in high-risk patients. We generated a unique methylation signature that is related to m6A regulators and is capable of accurately predicting the prognosis for patients with PC. The findings might prove useful for therapeutic customization and the process of making medical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abdominal ectopic fat deposition and excess visceral fat depots in obesity may be related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) as both are involved in the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The awareness of the link between abdominal adiposity and subclinical cardiac remodeling would help improve treatment and outcome. Besides, liver fibrosis has also shown a potential relationship with cardiac dysfunction. Thus, we aimed to investigate the associations of magnetic resonance (MR)-based abdominal adiposity and hepatic shear stiffness with subclinical left ventricular (LV) remodeling while taking account of MetS-related confounders in adults free of overt CVD. Methods: This was an exploratory, prospective study of 88 adults (46 subjects with obesity, 42 healthy controls) who underwent 3 T cardiac and body MR exams. Measures of abdominal MR included hepatic and pancreatic proton density fat fraction (H-PDFF and P-PDFF), hepatic shear stiffness by MR elastography, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT and VAT). Cardiac measures included epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and parameters of LV geometry and function. Associations were assessed using Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses, in which age, sex, and MetS-related confounders were adjusted for. Results: The LV ejection fractions of all participants were within the normal range. Higher H-PDFF, P-PDFF, SAT and VAT were independently associated with lower LV global myocardial strain parameters (radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain [PS], longitudinal peak systolic strain rate and diastolic strain rate) (β = − 0.001 to − 0.41, p < 0.05), and P-PDFF, SAT and VAT were independently and positively associated with LV end-diastolic volume and stroke volume (β = 0.09 to 3.08, p ≤ 0.02) in the over-all cohort. In the obesity subgroup, higher P-PDFF and VAT were independently associated with lower circumferential and longitudinal PS, respectively (β = − 0.29 to − 0.05, p ≤ 0.01). No independent correlation between hepatic shear stiffness and EAT or LV remodeling was found (all p ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: Ectopic fat depositions in the liver and pancreas, and excess abdominal adipose tissue pose a risk of subclinical LV remodeling beyond MetS-related CVD risk factors in adults without overt CVD. VAT may play a more considerable role as a risk factor for subclinical LV dysfunction than does SAT in individuals with obesity. The underlying mechanisms of these associations and their longitudinal clinical implications need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The exponential stability of a class of continuous-time impulsive switched positive nonlinear systems (ISPNSs) with asynchronous impulses is studied for the first time. • With the help of multiple max-separable Lyapunov method and modedependent average impulsive interval approach, some sufficient conditions are provided to cope with the exponential stability for ISPNSs with average dwell time (ADT) switching, where the hybrid effects of stabilizing impulses and destabilizing impulses are taken into account. • The considered systems are possibly composed of all unstable subsystems. The global exponential stability for a type of continuous-time impulsive switched positive nonlinear systems (ISPNSs) with average dwell time (ADT) switching and mode-dependent impulsive effects is explored in this research. Where we consider a type of nonnegative impulses, which do not need to be in step with the switching behaviors in the constructed systems. The main challenge of this study comes from the estimation of Lyapunov functions within any time interval under the coupling effect of asynchronous switches and state jumps. To solve this difficulty, based on the multiple max-separable Lyapunov functions (MSLFs) method involving mode-dependent average impulsive interval (MDAII) approach, we consider two special cases in which switching and impulses are completely asynchronous and synchronous respectively, and successfully establish the relation of impulse strength, system modes, ADT and MDAII. Subsequently, several stability criteria are presented for ISPNSs with unstable and/or stable modes. In particular, the impact of various sorts of impulses on stability are also analysed in depth. Then, the obtained results are applied to the ISPNSs with synchronous impulses and switching. Moreover, the stability conditions of the considered systems without switches are gained directly, which enshrouds the existing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulated evidence highlights the significance of the crosstalk between epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms, notably 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A). Herein, we conducted a widespread analysis regarding the crosstalk between 5mC and m6A regulators in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Pan-cancer genomic analysis of the crosstalk between 5mC and m6A regulators was presented at transcriptomic, genomic, epigenetic, and other multi-omics levels. Hub 5mC and m6A regulators were summarized to define an epigenetic and epitranscriptomic module eigengene (EME), which reflected both the pre- and post-transcriptional modifications. Results: 5mC and m6A regulators interacted with one another at the multi-omic levels across pan-cancer, including HCC. The EME scoring system enabled to greatly optimize risk stratification and accurately predict HCC patients' clinical outcomes and progression. Additionally, the EME accurately predicted the responses to mainstream therapies (TACE and sorafenib) and immunotherapy as well as hyper-progression. In vitro, 5mC and m6A regulators cooperatively weakened apoptosis and facilitated proliferation, DNA damage repair, G2/M arrest, migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC cells. The EME scoring system was remarkably linked to potential extrinsic and intrinsic immune escape mechanisms, and the high EME might contribute to a reduced copy number gain/loss frequency. Finally, we determined potential therapeutic compounds and druggable targets (TUBB1 and P2RY4) for HCC patients with high EME. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HCC may result from a unique synergistic combination of 5mC-epigenetic mechanism mixed with m6A-epitranscriptomic mechanism, and their crosstalk defines therapeutic response and pharmacogenomic landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tumor-promoting roles of ST8SIA6-AS1 and miR-145-5p have been found in several cancers, but their function in cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) remains speculative. The purpose of this study was to examine the regulatory functions of the ST8SIA6-AS1/MAL2/miR-145-5p pathway in CHOL progression. Methods: RT-qPCR assay was used to detect ST8SIA6-AS1 expression in CHOL tissues and cell lines. Cell migration, apoptosis, invasion, and proliferation abilities were assessed by RIP, RNA pull-down, and luciferase assays. CCK-8, BrdU, transwell, and FITC assays to investigate the regulatory functions of ST8SIA6-AS1, miR-145-5p, and MAL2 function in CHOL cells. Results: Findings revealed the enrichment of ST8SIA6-AS1 in CHOL tissues and cell lines. It was also found that ST8SIA6-AS1 facilitated cell growth and migration, but it reduced the apoptosis level of the CHOL cells. The results of experiments showed that ST8SIA6-AS1 sponged miR-145-5p, thereby allowing MAL2 to exert its biological function on CHOL cells. Conclusion: This research suggested that the ST8SIA6-AS1/miR-145-5p/MAL2 axis could enhance CHOL progression, which might be useful to improve the clinical outcomes of CHOL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terminal differentiation induced ncRNA (TINCR), a newly identified lncRNA, has been found to be associated with different human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known regarding the pathological mechanisms of TINCR in HCC progression. In this study, we confirmed that TINCR expression was upregulated in HCC tumors and cell lines, and high TINCR expression was associated with larger tumor size, advanced tumor node metastasis stage, and poor prognosis. Functionally, knockdown of TINCR facilitated apoptosis and suppressed viability, colony formation and invasion in Huh7 and Hep3B cells. Mechanically, TINCR functioned as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate DEAD‐box helicase 5 (DDX5) expression through sponging miR‐218‐5p. Moreover, the miR‐218‐5p expression was downregulated and DDX5 expression was upregulated in HCC tumors. The silencing of miR‐218‐5p or ectopic expression of DDX5 abated the tumor‐suppressive effect of TINCR knockdown in vitro. Furthermore, si‐TINCR‐induced inactivation of AKT signaling was rescued by suppression of miR‐218‐5p or overexpression of DDX5. Also, the silencing of TINCR resulted in tumor growth inhibition in vivo. In summary, knockdown of TINCR suppressed HCC progression presumably by inactivation of AKT signaling through targeting the miR‐218‐5p/DDX5 axis, suggesting a novel TINCR/miR‐218‐5p/DDX5 pathway and therapy target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study of the geochemical characteristics of the independent cadmium deposit at Niujiaotang, Duyun, Guizhou, China. Geological characteristics of the deposit; Distribution and mode of occurrence of cadmium; Geochemical characteristics of the fluid inclusions in the deposit; Summary.

Phosphorite of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation accumulated in the central Guizhou province during the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Phosphogenic Event, producing the first true phosphorite giant in Earth history. Deposition is interpreted to have occurred on a wave-dominated epeiric platform along the northern margin of the Qianzhong Uplift. Lithofacies stacking patterns and two paleokarst surfaces record phosphogenesis through at least two sea-level cycles. As in younger Phanerozoic epeiric sea phosphorites, the delivery of upwelled phosphorus is interpreted to have stimulated phosphogenesis in a range of shallow-water environments. Ten phosphatic and associated lithofacies are recognized in the Doushantuo Formation. Wavy and horizontal laminated pristine facies were the locus of phosphogenesis and reflect the authigenic precipitation of francolite in accumulating fine sediment. Granular, cross-stratified phosphorite is interpreted to have been produced through storm-wave winnowing of pristine facies and the subsequent transport, redeposition, and concentration of phosphatic peloids into economic beds. Beds with the highest concentration of phosphorus formed in shallow, wave-agitated environments around paleo-topographic highs. Paragenetic analysis suggests that secondary meteoric processes further enriched the phosphorus content (>35 wt%) of these granular beds during sea-level lowstands. Such aerially extensive, upwelling-related phosphorite contrasts Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic phosphatic deposits. Throughout much the Proterozoic francolite precipitation was restricted to shallow-water, photosynthetic oxygen oases where redox sensitive phosphogenic processes were focused in the sediment. The Doushantuo Formation is interpreted to record the oxygenation of the water column and concomitant expansion of phosphogenic environments during the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. This progressive ventilation of the deep ocean forever changed the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus in the marine realm and set the stage for the deposition of phosphorite giants that punctuate the Phanerozoic stratigraphic record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Alkoxyethyl β - D -glucopyranosides in anomerically pure were prepared. • Their water solubility was higher than that of alkyl β - D -glucosides due to an introduction of the hydrophilic spacer. • The synthesized glucopyranosides had excellent surface properties. • They had thermotropic liquid crystalline property. • They were thermal stable below 230 °C. Abstract Alkyl glycosides as modern industrial manufactured products are important. Furthermore, the better water solubility should make them a greater potential application value. In this study, an improvement of water solubility has been realized by adding the oxyethene fragment (−OCH 2 CH 2) as a hydrophilic spacer to the conventional alkyl glucoside structure, and the excellent surface properties of the alkyl glucoside were still maintained. The amphipathic properties of the prepared alkoxyethyl β - D -glucopyranoside can be adjusted by the alkyl chain length (n). Alkoxyethyl β - D -glucopyranosides were found to be water soluble with n ≤ 10. For both of CMC and γ CMC , there was a monotonous decreasing trend with increasing the alkyl chain length. Such amphipathic molecules adsorbed preferentially on the solution surface and then formed spontaneously micelles in the aqueous solution by the hydrophobic effect. Nonyloxylethyl β - D -glucopyranoside exhibited the finest foaming property, as well as the strongest emulsifying capacities in the rapeseed oil/water system and the toluene/water system. In addition, alkoxylethyl β - D -glucopyranoside (n = 9–14) had thermotropic liquid crystal property and thermal stability below 230 °C. Alkoxyethyl β - D -glucopyranoside, as a class of sugar-based surfactants, will be expected to be developed in a variety of practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Doushantuo glaucony have consistent and high K 2 O with low but variable TFe 2 O 3 , consistent with Al–Fe substitution during glauconitization. • The wide occurrence of glaucony documents a generally suboxic early diagenetic environment on the seafloor. • The lack of a negative Ce anomaly in phosphorites confirms deposition and diagenesis in suboxic environments. • Apatite-glaucony association in lower Doushantuo Formation resulted from Fe-redox driven diagenesis. Major phosphogenic events took place in the late Paleoproterozoic and the Ediacaran, both of which followed an episode of atmospheric oxygenation. These apparent coincidences have led to suggestions that the Precambrian phosphorus cycle was partly regulated by oceanic redox conditions, although direct evidence is lacking. In this paper, we report the discovery of glaucony in drill cores from the phosphorite-rich Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at Weng'an, South China, which provides new insights into redox conditions and geochemical cycles during the deposition and early diagenesis of the lower Doushantuo Formation. The presence of flaser and lenticular bedding in the sandstones suggests deposition in a tidally-influenced shallow water environment. Apatite is present as millimeter-scale flasers in sandstones, but more commonly as intraclastic grains. Glaucony typically occurs as interstitial aggregates cementing and replacing detrital minerals and phosphatic grains, with an upsection decrease in abundance. The Doushantuo glauconies have consistently high K 2 O (7.5–9.6 wt%). In particular, phosphorite-hosted glaucony has generally higher total iron (TFe 2 O 3) than sandstone-hosted glaucony, consistent with Al3+–Fe3+ substitution in the octahedral site, as supported by Raman peaks slightly shifted towards lower wavenumbers for higher Fe content. A decrease in detrital input probably resulted in limited Al availability during early diagenesis, which in turn led to the waning of glaucony upsection. The phosphate grains do not show any negative Ce anomalies, consistent with precipitation of authigenic apatite in suboxic environments with insignificant preferential remobilisation of Ce during deposition and early diagenesis. REE + Y features show variable diagenetic REE enrichment in phosphorites, but identical concave-down patterns. The wide occurrence of glaucony cement further documents the presence of a generally suboxic early diagenetic environment on the seafloor, which was in active exchange with bottom seawater. Slight fluctuations of redox states in the porewater and bottom water would have promoted the cycling of Fe, enrichment of phosphate and REE, and extensive glaucony authigenesis. Therefore, the glaucony-bearing phosphorites in the Doushantuo Formation are a direct result of Fe-redox driven diagenesis. Apatite-glaucony association likely forms in suboxic environments and is considered as a useful mineralogical proxy for paleoredox conditions on the Precambrian ocean floors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]