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Abstract Theoretical derivation of the perturbed transport due to a sudden weak impact in a presumed slab-like region filled with solid-gouge and vacancies was conducted. The induced transport which is of the second order is created by a small-amplitude surface elastic wave propagating along the flexible interface by considering the weakly nonlinear coupling between the interfaces and the slip effect. We simplify the original system of lower-order partial differential equations (related to the momentum and mass transport) to one single higher-order quasi-linear partial differential equation in terms of the unknown stream function. Via numerical searching we identify the possible critical threshold values for zero-flux states corresponding to certain Navier-slip parameter and wave number which could be relevant to the possible seismic reversal or disappearance of moving of solid-gouge. Our numerical results are useful to the seismic pattern recognition together with synthetic earthquake catalogs. Graphical abstract Highlights • We capture the critical behavior of entrained transport via wavy interfaces. • Wave number as well as velocity slip are crucial to the entrained transport. • Complicated evolutional pattern as well as crucial parameters are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose During the operation of Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), any mechanical disturbance such as stick-slip may cause quenching of superconducting (SC) coils. The friction behavior of MoS2 lubrication (thin film) for narrow support elements between the SC coils in W7-X is rather important, as there is a design requirement for a coefficient of friction (COF) 0.05 between the sliding surfaces to control the stress contribution (from friction).Design/methodology/approach The author has carried out intensive calibrations or verifications using verified models considering previous friction tests on various samples which measured the COF in 4.2 K, 77 K and room temperature conditions (at high vacuum) to simulate the actual working condition.Findings The author has given useful explanations and diagnosis for previous anomalous scattered data. To improve the performance of MoS2, the author has predicted its better COF (0.002 via tuning of the activation volume), which could be a superlubricating state for MoS2 thin films considering the long-term operation requirement W7-X.Originality/value In this paper, the author has adopted Eyring’s approach to predict the low COF (0.002 via tuning of the activation volume), which could be a superlubricating state for MoS2 thin films considering the long-term operation requirement W7-X. Finally, some recent progresses about the possible few-layer MoS2 role in the electromagnetic loads have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adopted the verified absolute-reaction theory which originates from the quantum chemistry approach to explain the anomalous flow for Si nanowires irradiated with 100 keV (at room temperature regime) Ar + ions as well as the observed amorphization along the Si nanowire [Nano Lett. 2015 , 15, 3800–3807]. We also demonstrate some formulations which can help us calculate the temperature-dependent viscosity of flowing Si in nanodomains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report results from experiments on the study of field generation at the shock front in low-density gas configured in quasi-planar geometry using broad-energy proton probing. Experiments were conducted using three long pulse laser beams with a total energy of 6.4 kJ in 2 ns for shock generation and an 850 J, 10 ps short pulse laser to produce broadband protons for radiography. Observations of the deflection pattern of probe protons show the existence of self-generated electric fields at the shock front with the electric potential on the order of 300 V. Analytical and particle tracking methods support this conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adopted the verified absolute-reaction theory which originates from the quantum chemistry approach as well as the boundary perturbation technique to capture the unusual experimental results by Dabhade et al.: Nanocrystalline titanium powders were found to exhibit lower activation energy for viscous flow and higher (coefficient of) viscosity as compared to micron sized titanium powders when nanocrystalline Ti (micron and nano) powders were expected to exhibit viscous flow during sintering. We also illustrate some formulations which can help us calculate the temperature-dependent viscosity of flowing Ti powders in micro- and nanodomains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proton backlighting platform has been developed for the study of strong shock propagation in low-density systems in planar geometry. Electric fields at the converging shock front in inertial confinement fusion implosions have been previously observed, demonstrating the presence of-and the need to understand-strong electric fields not modeled in standard radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. In this planar configuration, long-pulse ultraviolet lasers are used to drive a strong shock into a gas-cell target, while a short-pulse proton backlighter side-on radiographs the shock propagation. The capabilities of the platform are presented here. Future experiments will vary shock strength and gas fill, to probe shock conditions at different Z and Te. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the theory of absolute reaction rate we demonstrate the possible superconducting transition in sulfur hydrides within the room-temperature regime via tuning of activation volume as well as activation energy for the first time under zero shear rates. Before we present our novel approach and numerical results we firstly verify our calculations with previous measurements [Drozdov et al. Nature 525 (2015) 73]. After successful verifications, we illustrate our novel numerical results via the enhancing transition temperature for electronic liquids in sulfur hydrides to within the room-temperature regime (after decreasing of activation volume: ∼ 10 − 27 m 3 decrement or increasing of activation energy under zero shear rates compared to previous Drozdov et al.'s experimental data). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a detailed derivation of the possible entrainment in a cylinder filled with 4 He and 3 He which is induced by a small-amplitude surface elastic wave propagating along the flexible interface by considering the nonlinear coupling between the interface and the microscopic (slip) effect of dynamic vacancies as well as He-3 impurities. We numerically obtain possible critical bounds for frozen or zero-flux states corresponding to specific rarefaction measure and wave number which might be relevant to the rather small critical velocity or disappearance of geyser effect and frictionless transport of flowing helium crystal reported before. Our numerical results demonstrate that the complicated boundary or interface induced transport can produce a net effect resembling the transition-state as well as reaction kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narsimlu et al. used small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experimental technique to obtain the macromolecular parameters: specific surface area of two polythiophene derivatives, poly(3-octylthiophene) (POTH) and poly(3,3″-dioctyl-2,2″,5′ 2″-terthiphene) (POTTOT) thin films as well as two polythiophene derivative (poly-(3′-octyl-2, 2′-terthiophene) (POTT) and poly-(3-octyl-2,2’; 5′2″-terthiophene) (PTOTT)) thin films. Although Narsimlu et al. adopted porod approximation to find specific surface area of POTH and POTTOT nanostructured polymeric thin films as well as POTT and PTOTT thin films, but we found Narsimlu et al.’s calculations or numerical values being of doubt because there are no plateaus in Q 4 I -versus- Q plot as Q → ∞ or Q is higher enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:A remarkable increase in traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) morbidity has occurred in China from 2001 to 2010 due to rapid industrial and economic development; this increase seriously threatens public health. The current study investigated the major causes and severity of TSCI in 561 hospitalized TSCI patients who came from all over China to the General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces.Methods:Information (including each patient's age, gender, time and cause of injury and severity of spinal cord injury (SCI, complete or incomplete)) regarding 561 hospitalized TSCI patients whose injuries occurred between 2001 and 2010 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 561 patients, the youngest was 9 months old and the oldest was 67 years old; the average patient age was 34.74±12.24 years. The sex ratio was 4.1:1 (male:female). The injuries were primarily caused by transportation accidents (51.2%), falling from a height (23.9%), tamping (8.6%), stumbling (8.0%), stabbing (3.0%) and crushing (1.8%). Although no statistically significant associations were observed between the different injury causes and severity of the injury, a statistically significant association was observed between the different injury causes and levels of the lesion.Conclusion:Transportation accidents, falling from a height, tamping, stumbling, stabbing and crushing are the most common causes of TSCI. No statistically significant relationships were observed between certain injury causes and either complete or incomplete injury. However, different injury causes usually led to different levels of the lesion. No statistical differences were observed between the levels of the lesion and either complete or incomplete injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact multiband planar monopole antenna is discussed. Tuning techniques, including offset feed, etching meandered slot and cutting tuning inset, are applied to the radiator in order to maximise the operating frequency range of the antenna. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed design covers the operating bands of seven wireless services including the DCS/PCS/W-CDMA/2.4-/5-GHz WLANs/Bluetooth and the WiMAX in United States. The design concept, step-by-step guidelines, radiation mechanism and the simulated and experimental results are carefully investigated. The finite-size ground plane effect is taken into account as well. This antenna features multiband operations, almost omnidirectional radiation patterns in one of the principal cuts, and a compact size of 22.75×20 mm2. It is especially suitable for smart phone applications which are involving in integrating multiple wireless services into a single hand-held unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on three novel mutations of the ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene in Chinese patients with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED). The researchers believe that a pathogenic mutation located in the introns or other regulatory regions might be responsible for the disease phenotype. Furthermore, the study revealed evidence for an unequal homologous recombination between two LINE-1 elements as the molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of XLHED.

• Enhancing superconducting temperature in lanthanum superhydride (LaH 10) to 298.2 K. • Boundary perturbation method as well as transition-state approach are adopted. • Transition onset temperature increases once we tune the activation volume and activation energy. We observed critical dynamical transitional phases of electronic liquids driven by an initial electric field inside LaH 10 ± x (- 1 ⩽ x ⩽ 2) under high pressure forcings near room-temperature regime after we adopted the verified theory of absolute reactions to locate the almost-zero normalized resistance states. The enhanced critical temperatures (considering almost zero-resistance states; increased to around 298.2 K) for LaH 10 ± x (x ~ 0) which are related to the nearly frictionless transport of many condensed electrons might be directly relevant to the dynamical transition at room-temperature regime in after selecting specific activation energies and activation volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We make some crucial remarks about the recent presentation by Cross (2019 Eur. J. Phys.40 065002) for pedagogical purposes considering his results. The possible deformations will influence significantly the role of (high) spots played in an abrupt stop of Euler’s disk as claimed by Cross. We thought Cross should consider the crucial role of the deformations (in a spinning disk as well as the surface or small contact area) in rolling friction and energy dissipation as already proposed by Moffatt and other researchers (2000 Nature 408 540). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shocks are abundant both in astrophysical and laboratory systems. While the electric fields generated at shock fronts have recently attracted great attention, the associated self-generated magnetic field is rarely studied, despite its ability to significantly affect the shock profile in the nonideal geometry where density and temperature gradients are not parallel. We report here the observation of a magnetic field at the front of a Mach ~6 shock propagating in a low-density helium gas system. Proton radiography from different projection angles not only confirms the magnetic field's existence, but also provides a quantitative measurement of the field strength in the range ~5 to 7 T. X-ray spectrometry allowed inference of the density and temperature at the shock front, constraining the plasma conditions under which the magnetic and electric fields are generated. Simulations with the particle-in-cell code lsp attribute the self-generation of the magnetic field to the Biermann battery effect (∇ne×∇Te). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the steady-state assumption we approximately solve the simplified reaction-diffusion equation together with isothermal boundary conditions via the boundary perturbation approach and obtain the possible negative (dimensionless) temperatures (around the order of magnitude of 10 14 ) for some selection of fine-tuned physical parameters and a fixed geometric parameter (considering a wavy-rough microannuli). Our numerical evidences will be useful to the understanding of two possible scenarios (i) spontaneous symmetry breaking with negative temperature and broken Lorentz symmetry occurs due to higher order curvature corrections similar to the beginning of the universe in a lattice (ii) dark energy in cosmology (in which a negative-pressure state is necessary to explain the accelerating expansion of the universe) as well as the application for a laboratory dark energy analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether targeted sequencing and relative mutation dosage can be used to diagnose correctly inheritance of maternal β-thalassaemia mutations in cell-free DNA.Design: Feasibility study using samples collected in a prenatal clinic.Setting: South East Asia.Population: Couples where both partners were known to be carriers of one of four common β-thalassaemia mutations or an HbE mutation, and therefore at risk of carrying a fetus affected with β-thalassaemia.Methods: 49 samples previously identified as having inherited a paternal β-thalassaemia mutation were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then sequencing. Relative mutation dosage was used to classify the fetus as having inherited the wild-type or mutant maternal allele.Main Outcome Measures: Classification of the fetus as 'unaffected' (if the maternal wild-type allele was inherited) or 'affected' with β-thalassaemia (if the maternal mutant allele was inherited).Results: A classification for inheritance of maternal allele was obtained in 48/49 samples (98.0%). A concordant call was made in 44/48 cases (91.7%): one false-positive and three false-negatives were obtained. Thus, we had an overall sensitivity of 87.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 67.6-97.3%] and a specificity of 95.8% (95% CI 78.9-99.9%) for inheritance of maternal genotype.Conclusions: RMD for detection of inheritance of maternal β-thalassaemia mutations has potential for clinical use. Our sequential approach could be applied to other single-gene disorders.Tweetable Abstract: NIPT for β-thalassaemia achieved using nested-PCR followed by relative mutation dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile process was developed for synthesizing vanadium dioxide (VO) by pyrolyzing ammonium metavanadate (NHVO) in nitrogen flow. The process was designed on the base of thermodynamic modeling of chemical reaction and thermal analyzing of NHVO pyrogenation in N gas, and optimized by experiments. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were applied to characterizing the product VO. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TG) and DSC were used for analyzing the process of NHVO pyrogenation. The experimental results indicated that VO microcrystal particles were successfully synthesized. The product VO presents two kinds of micro morphologies, torispherical and pentagonal prism. The phase transition mainly takes place at 338.4 K and 341.9 K. The average enthalpy of the phase transition is 28.82 J/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Na+- and Cl+-dependent GABA-betaine transporter (BGT1) has received attention mostly as a protector against osmolarity changes in the kidney and as a potential controller of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. Nevertheless, the cellular distribution of BGT1, and its physiological importance, is not fully understood. Here we have quantified mRNA levels using TaqMan real-time PCR, produced a number of BGT1 antibodies, and used these to study BGT1 distribution in mice. BGT1 (protein and mRNA) is predominantly expressed in the liver (sinusoidal hepatocyte plasma membranes) and not in the endothelium. BGT1 is also present in the renal medulla, where it localizes to the basolateral membranes of collecting ducts (particularly at the papilla tip) and the thick ascending limbs of Henle. There is some BGT1 in the leptomeninges, but brain parenchyma, brain blood vessels, ependymal cells, the renal cortex, and the intestine are virtually BGT1 deficient in 1- to 3-mo-old mice. Labeling specificity was assured by processing tissue from BGT1-deficient littermates in parallel as negative controls. Addition of 2.5% sodium chloride to the drinking water for 48 h induced a two- to threefold upregulation of BGT1, tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein, and sodiummyo- inositol cotransporter 1 (slc5a3) in the renal medulla, but not in the brain and barely in the liver. BGT1-deficient and wild-type mice appeared to tolerate the salt treatment equally well, possibly because betaine is one of several osmolytes. In conclusion, this study suggests that BGT1 plays its main role in the liver, thereby complementing other betaine-transporting carrier proteins (e.g., slc6a20) that are predominantly expressed in the small intestine or kidney rather than the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specific aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of antibiotics represented by vancomycin and amikacin in the subeschar tissue fluid (STF) in patients with early stage severe burn. Twenty patients were studied: age 30.7+/-8.0 years old, weight 60.6+/-8.4 kg, total burn surface area (TBSA) 68.39+/-17.85%, creatinine clearance (CCr) 95.45+/-23.14 ml/min, mean+/-S.D. Patients received intravenous infusion of 500 mg vancomycin (10 patients) or 400mg amikacin (10 patients) for 60 min at 24h after burn. Subeschar tissue fluid (STF) samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 96, 144, 192, 240 h at the end of infusion. Concentrations of these antibiotics in the samples were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) method. Pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin and amikacin were calculated by the use of Program 3P97 and statistical analyses were performed by the use of Program Package SPS S10.0. The concentration-time curves of vancomycin and amikacin in the STF were both fitted in two-compartment model. Pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin in the STF were: distribution half-life (t(1)/2alpha)=3.74+/-2.64 h, elimination half-life (t(1)/2beta)=92.18+/-11.73 h, apparent volume of distribution (V(c))=25.64+/-5.68 L, area under the curve (AUC)=1279.42+/-256.12 microg h ml(-1), clearance (CLs)=0.4048+/-0.0788 L h(-1). Pharmacokinetic parameters of amikacin in the STF were: t(1)/2alpha=4.35+/-1.66 h, t(1)/2beta=80.04+/-9.52 h, V(c)=13.17+/-1.32 L, AUC=1802.49+/-285.68 microg h ml(-1), CLs=0.2272+/-0.0383 L h(-1). This study demonstrated significant low clearance, long half life of vancomycin and amikacin in the STF in patients with severe burn compared to the parameters obtained in the serum of normal volunteers in previous studies. Elimination half-lives (t(1)/2beta) of vancomycin and amikacin in the STF of severe burns were 18.75-34.87 times and 28.20-44.78 times longer than those in the serum of normal volunteers, respectively. Concentrations of vancomycin and amikacin in STF at 24h after the end of a single dose infusion was higher than MIC on common pathogenic bacteria. Their effective inhibitory concentration were maintained at least for 24h. There was antibiotic retention in the third space after early and short-term use of potent antibiotics. An antibiotic barrier could form in the STF, and could prevent an invasive bacterial infection from burn wound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which adopted the strategy by diphtheria toxin to enter into the endolysosomal network of cells by creating a chimera between the receptor-binding fragment of diphtheria toxin and lysosomal hydrolase tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1) to improve the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy as treatment of lysosomal storage diseases (LSD). Based on the results, chimeric TPP1 binds strongly to target cells.

Controversy exists on the advantages of robotic McKeown esophagectomy (RME) versus thoraco-laparoscopic McKeown esophagectomy (TLME). The aim was to evaluate the short- and mid-term outcomes of RME and TLME in the treatment of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A consecutive series of 652 patients, 280 in RME and 372 in TLME, who underwent minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy for ESCC at our department from November 2015 to June 2018 was analyzed. A propensity score-matched comparison with clinicopathological covariates was performed between the two groups. Complications were categorized based on the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) recommendation. To identify the recurrence, all patients with R0 resection were followed with a median follow-up period of 20.2 months (range 1–33 months). After propensity score matching, 271 patients were identified for each cohort. In the matched cohorts, two patients died within 90 days in TLME, whereas no patients died in RME. RME was associated with similar intraoperative blood loss (P  = 0.895), but with shorter surgical duration (244.5 vs. 276.0 min, P  < 0.001), shorter thoracic duration (85.0 vs. 102.9 min, P  < 0.001) and lower thoracic conversions (0.7% vs. 5.9%, P  = 0.001). In spite of the similar results on total and thoracic lymph nodes dissection, RME yielded more lymph nodes along recurrent laryngeal nerve (4.8 vs. 4.1, P  = 0.012), as well as the higher incidence of recurrent nerve injury (29.2% vs. 15.1%, P  < 0.001) when compared to TLME. Tumor recurrence occurred in 30 patients and was locoregional only in 9 (3.5%) patients, systemic only in 17 (6.7%) patients, and combined in 4 (1.6%) patients in RME, while in 26 patients and was locoregional only in 10 (10.6%) patients, systemic only in 7 (2.8%) patients, and combined in 9 (3.6%) patients in TLME. RME was associated with a lower rate of mediastinal lymph nodes recurrence (2.0% vs. 5.3%, P  = 0.044). Overall and disease-free survival was not different between the two cohorts (P  = 0.097 and P  = 0.248, respectively). RME was shown to be a safe and oncologically effective approach with favorable short- and mid-term outcomes in the treatment of patients with ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide resistance has developed as a result of long-term and extensive use of chemical pesticides. Essential oils from aromatic plants may provide a new and safe alternative to conventional insecticides. In this study, the insecticidal activities of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia and their chemical constituents against Helicoverpa armigera Hubner were investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were studied. The essential oil showed distinct antifeedant ( AFC50 = 8.93 mg/ml) and good contact ( LD50 = 50.28 μg/larva) activities against H. armigera at 24 hr. Ten chemical components were identified using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, and mainly included terpinen-4-ol (40.09%), γ-terpinene (21.85%), α-terpinene (11.34%), α-terpineol (6.91%), α-pinene (5.86%), terpinolene (3.24%) and 1,8-cineole (1.83%). Among them, five components were determined and results showed that these constituents possessed obvious antifeedant activities. The activities of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase were notably inhibited by the essential oil, as compared with the control, with strong dose- and time-dependent effects. The results provide a basis for their development and utilization in the control of insects in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasion and metastasis are the distinct biologic characteristics of cancer, resulting in an exceptionally low 5-year survival rate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Understanding in detail the mechanisms underlying PDAC metastasis is critical for prevention and effective interventions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been documented as having a critical role in cancer development and progression.Methods: We examined the expression levels of lncRNA ENST00000480739 and osteosarcoma amplified-9 (OS-9) mRNA in a cohort of 35 PDAC patients. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were examined with and without ENST00000480739 overexpression in PDAC cells.Results: We determined that the ENST00000480739 expression level was remarkably decreased in tumorous tissues compared with their corresponding non-tumorous tissues. The expression of ENST00000480739 was negatively associated with tumour node metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. In addition, ENST0000048073 was an independent prognostic factor of survival time in PDAC patients following surgery. Besides, enforced expression of ENST00000480739 suppressed PDAC cells' invasion in vitro. Overexpression of ENST00000480739 significantly increased both mRNA and protein levels of OS-9, and the luciferase assays confirmed that ENST00000480739 positively regulates OS-9 by activating the transcription level of the OS-9 promoter. We further found that ENST00000480739 may target hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression by upregulating OS-9.Conclusions: These findings suggest that the frequently downregulated ENST00000480739 in PDAC contributes to tumour metastasis and progression by regulating HIF-1α. Long non-coding RNA ENST00000480739 may provide not only a therapeutic potential to suppress metastasis but it may also be a novel biomarker for risk prognostication and personal therapy screening of PDAC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Invasion and metastasis are the distinct biologic characteristics of cancer, resulting in an exceptionally low 5-year survival rate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Understanding in detail the mechanisms underlying PDAC metastasis is critical for prevention and effective interventions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been documented as having a critical role in cancer development and progression.Methods:We examined the expression levels of lncRNA ENST00000480739 and osteosarcoma amplified-9 (OS-9) mRNA in a cohort of 35 PDAC patients. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were examined with and without ENST00000480739 overexpression in PDAC cells.Results:We determined that the ENST00000480739 expression level was remarkably decreased in tumorous tissues compared with their corresponding non-tumorous tissues. The expression of ENST00000480739 was negatively associated with tumour node metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. In addition, ENST0000048073 was an independent prognostic factor of survival time in PDAC patients following surgery. Besides, enforced expression of ENST00000480739 suppressed PDAC cells' invasion in vitro. Overexpression of ENST00000480739 significantly increased both mRNA and protein levels of OS-9, and the luciferase assays confirmed that ENST00000480739 positively regulates OS-9 by activating the transcription level of the OS-9 promoter. We further found that ENST00000480739 may target hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression by upregulating OS-9.Conclusions:These findings suggest that the frequently downregulated ENST00000480739 in PDAC contributes to tumour metastasis and progression by regulating HIF-1α. Long non-coding RNA ENST00000480739 may provide not only a therapeutic potential to suppress metastasis but it may also be a novel biomarker for risk prognostication and personal therapy screening of PDAC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. Once released, it is removed from the extracellular space by cellular uptake catalyzed by GABA transporter proteins. Four GABA transporters (GAT1, GAT2, GAT3 and BGT1) have been identified. Inhibition of the GAT1 by the clinically available anti-epileptic drug tiagabine has been an effective strategy for the treatment of some patients with partial seizures. Recently, the investigational drug EF1502, which inhibits both GAT1 and BGT1, was found to exert an anti-convulsant action synergistic to that of tiagabine, supposedly due to inhibition of BGT1. The present study addresses the role of BGT1 in seizure control and the effect of EF1502 by developing and exploring a new mouse line lacking exons 3–5 of the BGT1 (slc6a12) gene. The deletion of this sequence abolishes the expression of BGT1 mRNA. However, homozygous BGT1-deficient mice have normal development and show seizure susceptibility indistinguishable from that in wild-type mice in a variety of seizure threshold models including: corneal kindling, the minimal clonic and minimal tonic extension seizure threshold tests, the 6Hz seizure threshold test, and the i.v. pentylenetetrazol threshold test. We confirm that BGT1 mRNA is present in the brain, but find that the levels are several hundred times lower than those of GAT1 mRNA; possibly explaining the apparent lack of phenotype. In conclusion, the present results do not support a role for BGT1 in the control of seizure susceptibility and cannot provide a mechanistic understanding of the synergism that has been previously reported with tiagabine and EF1502. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our understanding of the dynamics of ion collisional energy loss in a plasma is still not complete, in part due to the difficulty and lack of high-quality experimental measurements. These measurements are crucial to benchmark existing models. Here, we show that such a measurement is possible using high-flux proton beams accelerated by high intensity short pulse lasers, where there is a high number of particles in a picosecond pulse, which is ideal for measurements in quickly expanding plasmas. By reducing the energy bandwidth of the protons using a passive selector, we have made proton stopping measurements in partially ionized Argon and fully ionized Hydrogen plasmas with electron temperatures of hundreds of eV and densities in the range 1020-1021 cm−3. In the first case, we have observed, consistently with previous reports, enhanced stopping of protons when compared to stopping power in non-ionized gas. In the second case, we have observed for the first time the regime of reduced stopping, which is theoretically predicted in such hot and fully ionized plasma. The versatility of these tunable short-pulse laser based ion sources, where the ion type and energy can be changed at will, could open up the possibility for a variety of ion stopping power measurements in plasmas so long as they are well characterized in terms of temperature and density. In turn, these measurements will allow tests of the validity of existing theoretical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]