Search

There is not only thrust but also normal force between the primary and secondary components for the single‐side flat plate permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM). The normal force will fluctuate periodically, which will cause friction perturbation and finally affect the positioning accuracy of linear feed system. For the single‐side flat plate PMLSM, the variation law of normal force ripple under the coupling effect of multiple effects is studied, and the method of primary component segmental design to suppress it is proposed. Firstly, the influence of the cogging effect, the end effect and the armature reaction on the normal force ripple is analysed. Meanwhile the mathematical model of normal force ripple is established. Secondly, the PMLSM with segmental primary component is introduced and its suppression mechanism to the normal force ripple is expounded. On this basis, a scheme combining the non‐integer pole slot matching with the primary component segmental design is proposed to further suppress the normal force ripple. Finally, an 18‐slot 96/5‐pole prototype is taken as an example to carry out the finite element simulation and experimental test, of which the results verify the research theory in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation under mild conditions is a more attractive approach for alkene production than industrial routes but suffers from either low production efficiency or high energy consumption. Here, we describe a tandem catalytic concept that overcomes these challenges. Component (i), which can trap hydrogen effectively, is partnered with component (ii), which can readily release hydrogen for hydrogenation, to enable efficient generation of active hydrogen on component (i) at low overpotentials and timely (i)‐to‐(ii) hydrogen spillover and facile desorptive hydrogenation on component (ii). We examine this concept over bicomponent palladium‐copper catalysts for the production of representative 2‐methyl‐3‐butene‐2‐ol (MBE) from 2‐methyl‐3‐butyne‐2‐ol (MBY) and achieve a record high MBE production rate of 1.44 mmol h−1 cm−2 and a Faraday efficiency of ~88.8 % at a low energy consumption of 1.26 kWh kgMBE−1. With these catalysts, we further achieve 60 h continuous production of MBE with record high profit space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation under mild conditions is a more attractive approach for alkene production than industrial routes but suffers from either low production efficiency or high energy consumption. Here, we describe a tandem catalytic concept that overcomes these challenges. Component (i), which can trap hydrogen effectively, is partnered with component (ii), which can readily release hydrogen for hydrogenation, to enable efficient generation of active hydrogen on component (i) at low overpotentials and timely (i)‐to‐(ii) hydrogen spillover and facile desorptive hydrogenation on component (ii). We examine this concept over bicomponent palladium‐copper catalysts for the production of representative 2‐methyl‐3‐butene‐2‐ol (MBE) from 2‐methyl‐3‐butyne‐2‐ol (MBY) and achieve a record high MBE production rate of 1.44 mmol h−1 cm−2 and a Faraday efficiency of ~88.8 % at a low energy consumption of 1.26 kWh kgMBE−1. With these catalysts, we further achieve 60 h continuous production of MBE with record high profit space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) increases the risk of cardiovascular events, however the influence of SH on prognosis of ejection fraction preserved heart failure (HFpEF) is not fully understood. Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with HFpEF were divided into euthyroidism group (n = 413) and SH group (n = 79). Patients were followed up for at least 30 months to examine the association between SH and cardiovascular events in patients with HFpEF. The primary end point was composite cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death and re-hospitalization). The patients underwent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurement by ultrasound in order to value endothelial function. Results: The rate of composite cardiovascular events was higher in SH group than in euthyroidism group (54.49% and 26.36%, respectively; p < 0.001). The higher risk of cardiovascular events in SH group was primarily due to a higher risk of re-hospitalization compared to euthyroidism group (45.56% and 20.58%, respectively; p < 0.001). The rate of cardiovascular death was higher in SH group than in euthyroidism group (13.92% and 5.81%, respectively; p = 0.017). Cox proportional hazards regression showed that SH (hazard ratios [HR] 1.921, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.139– 3.240), level of TSH (HR 1.025, 95% CI 1.010– 1.054), age (HR 1.017, 95% CI 1.002– 1.034), LVEF (HR 0.975, 95% CI 0.953– 0.996), atrial fibrillation (HR 1.581, 95% CI 1.083– 2.307), eGFR (HR 0.987, 95% CI 0.978– 0.997), and NYHA cardiac function (HR 2.342, 95% CI 1.649– 3.326) were independent predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with HFpEF (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with increased cardiovascular events and death in patients with HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the hard Lefschetz property on compact symplectic solvmanifolds, i.e., compact quotients M = ΓG of a simply-connected solvable Lie group G by a lattice Γ, admitting a symplectic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a 3-D transient electromagnetic inversion method based on explicit finite-difference forward modeling. For forward modeling, we calculate the whole-space initial field excited by magnetic dipole sources at an initial time after the current is switched off and apply Maxwell's equations on time using the modified DuFort–Frankel method and staggered grids. For inversion, we use the least squares optimization method. We test the inversion method using synthetic and field data. The conductivity brick is recovered well in synthetic. The inversion results of field data are consistent with the known geological conditions. The synthetic and field examples show that the inversion method based on explicit finite-difference forward modeling is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to analyze the comparison of velocity-based resistance training and one-repetition maximum (%1RM) percentage-based training in maximal strength improvement by meta-analyzing and to find the reasons for the controversial findings of different studies. Ten studies were included in the systematic review and seven were subjected to meta-analysis. A total of 139 subjects were selected from the included articles after exclusion, including athletes of different specialties (N=93) and non-athletes mainly from fitness groups (N=46). The overall effect size was SMD=0.26 (95%CL 0.03 to 0.49, P=0.03, I²=0). As for the comparison of the analysis of different intervention objects as subgroups, the effect size of athletes as the subgroup was 0.35 (95%CI 0.06 to 0.64, p=0.02, I²=0), indicating that in the RCT with athletes as the intervention target, the effect of VBRT in improving the maximal strength was significantly different from that of PBT. Velocity-based resistance training might be more effective than percentage-based training in maximal strength improvement, in which velocity-based resistance training is more suitable for athletes in season, while percentage-based training is more suitable for the general sports population. More high-quality researches should deal with the effect of other athletic performance with velocity-based resistance training in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydrocephalus is a severe complication of intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular extension (ICH-IVH) and causes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation. The choroid plexus epithelium plays an important role in CSF secretion and constitutes the blood-CSF barrier within the brain-immune system interface. Although the NLRP3 inflammasome, as a key component of the innate immune system, promotes neuroinflammation, its role in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus after hemorrhage has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of NLRP3 in hydrocephalus to discover a potential marker for targeted therapy.Methods: A rat model of hydrocephalus after ICH-IVH was developed through autologous blood infusion in wild-type and Nlrp3-/- rats. By studying the features and processes of the model, we investigated the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and CSF hypersecretion in the choroid plexus.Results: The ICH-IVH model rats showed ventricular dilation accompanied by CSF hypersecretion for 3 days. Based on the choroid plexus RNA-seq and proteomics results, we found that an inflammatory response was activated. The NLRP3 inflammasome was investigated, and the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components reached a peak at 3 days after ICH-IVH. Inhibition of NLRP3 by an MCC950 inflammasome inhibitor or Nlrp3 knockout decreased CSF secretion and ventricular dilation and attenuated neurological deficits after ICH-IVH. The mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of NLRP3 inhibition involved decreased phosphorylation of NKCC1, which is a major protein that regulates CSF secretion by altering Na+- and K+-coupled water transport, via MCC950 or Nlrp3 knockout. In combination with the in vitro experiments, this experiment confirmed the involvement of the NLRP3/p-NKCC1 pathway and Na+ and K+ flux.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that NKCC1 phosphorylation in the choroid plexus epithelium promotes NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated CSF hypersecretion and that NLRP3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus after hemorrhage. These findings provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating hydrocephalus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we first consider the L2 Morse–Novikov cohomology on a complete Riemannian manifold M equipped with a parallel 1‐form which includes Vaisman manifold. Based on a vanishing theorem of L2 Morse–Novikov cohomology, we prove that the L2‐harmonic forms on M are identically zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM), the end effect not only changes the distribution of the end magnetic field, but also causes the pulsating magnetic field in the air gap between the primary and the secondary components. In this paper, the existence of the pulsating magnetic field is proved and the characteristics of the pulsating magnetic field are analyzed through the finite element analysis. On the base of that, the influence of the pulsating magnetic field on the detent force is studied, of which the result shows that the pulsating magnetic field generates the pulsating magnetic force, which is a part of the detent force. The amplitude of the pulsating magnetic force is closely related to the length of the primary component. By adjusting the length of the primary component, the pulsating magnetic field can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, the results of simulation and theoretical analysis prove that with the increase of primary component length, the influence of pulsating magnetic field is becoming weaker and weaker. Finally, a prototype is made to test the detent force characteristics, which verifies the research theory in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A segmental permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (S-PMLSM) with noninteger pole number, which has low detent force and high thrust, is presented in this article. For the S-PMLSM, the noninteger pole structure makes up for the defect that the conventional integer pole structure cannot suppress the third and its times harmonics in the detent force, thereby further reducing the thrust ripple rate of the motor. Special winding arrangement is adopted for noninteger pole structure, of which the winding factor is relatively high. Another advantage of the noninteger pole structure is the decoupling between the detent force and the cogging force. When designing cogging parameters and structures, it is not limited by the requirement of the detent force, which enlarges the range of cogging parameters and finally helps to improve the motor thrust. In this article, 18-slot 24-pole and 18-slot 19.2-pole S-PMLSMs, representing integer and noninteger pole structures, respectively, are selected as samples for comparative analysis. The results show that the later removes almost all detent force while giving higher thrust than the former. The simulation and experimental results validate the research theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel flux switching permanent magnet linear motor (FSPMLM), which has the advantages of high thrust density [the ratio of average thrust to permanent magnet (PM) volume] and low cost for long-stroke application, is proposed and investigated in this article. The topology of the novel FSPMLM with 12 slots is introduced and the basic operating principle is analyzed first. The optimal geometric parameters are selected by using the layered orthogonal optimization method. Then the electromagnetic performance of the motor is investigated by the analytical method based on the equivalent magnetic network model (MNM). Finally, a scheme of setting auxiliary teeth in the primary component is adopted to suppress the unbalance of the three phase flux linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer is one of the most prevalent tumors of the female reproductive system causing serious health effects to women worldwide. Although numerous studies, including analysis of gene expression profile and cellular microenvironment have been reported in this field, pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. In this study, we performed a system bioinformatics analysis of endometrial cancer using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE17025, GSE63678, and GSE115810) to identify the core genes. In addition, exosomes derived from endometrial cancer cells were also isolated and identified. First, we analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between endometrial cancer tissues and normal tissues in clinic samples. We found that HAND2-AS1, PEG3, OGN, SFRP4, and OSR2 were co-expressed across all 3 datasets. Pathways analysis showed that several pathways associated with endometrial cancer, including "p53 signaling pathway", "Glutathione metabolism", "Cell cycle", and etc. Next, we selected DEGs with highly significant fold change and co-expressed across the 3 datasets and validated them in the TCGA database using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Finally, we performed a survival analysis and identified four genes (TOP2A, ASPM, EFEMP1, and FOXL2) that play key roles in endometrial cancer. We found up-regulation of TOP2A and ASPM in endometrial cancer tissues or cells, while EFEMP1 and FOXL2 were down-regulated. Furthermore, we isolated exosomes from the culturing supernatants of endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa and HEC-1-A) and found that miR-133a, which regulates expression of FOXL2, were present in exosomes and that they could be delivered to normal endometrial cells. The common DEGs, pathways, and exosomal miRNAs identified in this study might play an important role in progression as well as diagnosis of endometrial cancer. In conclusion, our results provide insights into the pathogenesis and risk assessment of endometrial cancer. Even so, further studies are required to elucidate on the precise mechanism of action of these genes in endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an effective method to identify subtle changes to normal-appearing white matter (WM). Here we analyzed the DTI data with other examinations, including motor evoked potentials (MEPs), histopathological images, and behavioral results, to reflect the lesion development in different degrees of spinal cord injury (SCI) in acute and subacute stages.Method: Except for 2 Sprague -Dawley rats which died from the anesthesia accident, the rest 42 female rats were randomized into 3 groups: control group (n = 6), moderate group (n = 18), and severe group (n = 18). Moderate (a 50-g aneurysm clip with 0.4-mm thickness spacer) or severe (a 50-g aneurysm clip with no spacer) contusion SCI at T8 vertebrae was induced. Then the electrophysiological assessments via MEPs, behavioral deterioration via the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnaha (BBB) scores, DTI data, and histopathology examination were analyzed.Results: In this study, we found that the damage of WM myelin, MEPs amplitude, BBB scores and the decreases in the values of fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial diffusivity (AD) were more obvious in the severe injury group than those of the moderate group. Additionally, the FA and AD values could identify the extent of SCI in subacute and early acute SCI respectively, which was reflected in a robust correlations with MEPs and BBB scores. While the values of radial diffusivity (RD) showed no significant changes.Conclusions: Our data confirmed that DTI was a valuable in ex vivo imaging tool to identify damaged white matter tracts after graded SCI in rat, which may provide useful information for the early identification of the severity of SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modularization design has been widely used to reduce the detent force of permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM). For modular PMLSM, ideally, unit motors are independent of each other and the detent force of the whole motor is the sum of that for unit motors; thus, the whole motor's detent force can be suppressed by adjusting the phase difference among the unit motors’ detent forces. But actually, there is coupling effect between adjacent unit motors, which has adverse effect on the detent force suppression. The coupling effect changes the magnetic field distribution, which is often neglected in current research. Hence, this paper carries out the research on magnetic field analysis and flux barrier design for modular PMLSM considering the coupling effect: the influence of the coupling effect on the air gap magnetic field is clarified through magnetic field analysis; the coupling force is isolated by finite element analysis, and then the effects of key parameters are discussed; the whole motor's detent force model considering the coupling effect is established, and an optimal design method of adjusting the flux barrier length is presented to suppress the detent force. Finally, a prototype is made to test the detent force characteristics with different flux barrier lengths, which verifies the research theory in this paper. The research results in this paper can provide guidance and reference for the design of modular PMLSMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, for a tubular permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (TPMSLM), adopting a modular structure can effectively reduce the detent force; however, the thrust density is sacrificed via the large proportion of the flux barrier to the total primary component volume. To overcome this disadvantage, this paper proposes a novel modular TPMSLM, in which the unit primary component adopts the large slot structure containing several coils. Focusing on this motor, research on the flux linkage characteristic is performed to obtain the design principle, and then the detent force is analyzed and suppressed by reasonable design of end teeth. First, the flux linkage characteristics of the unit motor and the whole motor are investigated. Variation rule of the coil flux linkage affected by the end tooth is discussed, and the principle of realizing three-phase balance for the whole motor flux linkage is elaborated. Moreover, the principle of the detent force suppression is verified and the detent force is further suppressed through the end tooth design. Finally, a prototype is developed. The back electromotive force and the detent force were tested, which verified the effectiveness of the novel modular TPMSLM proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tolvaptan attenuated brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. • Tolvaptan alleviated neurological deficits after intracerebral hemorrhage. • Tolvaptan prevented blood brain barrier destruction after intracerebral hemorrhage. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is believed to be positively correlated with the brain edema formation, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we explored the role of the V2 receptors antagonist tolvaptan on brain edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with a rat model. Animals were randomly given tolvaptan or vehicle through oral gavage at 12 h, 36 h, and 60 h after ICH surgery. Brain swelling (%), brain water content(BWC), neurological scores, Evans blue fluorescence and blood-brain barrier (BBB) tight junction proteins were measured to evaluate the effect of tolvaptan in ICH. We found that tolvaptan alleviated the brain swelling (%), decreased the BWC growth, and attenuated the neurological deficits after ICH (p < 0.05, vs vehicle). What's more, tolvaptan increased the expression of ZO-1 and occludin (p < 0.05, vs vehicle), which might be attributed to the down-regulated effects of tolvaptan on MMP-9. These results provided evidence supporting the use of tolvaptan for ICH-induced brain edema. Large animal experiments are required to further explore the efficacy and mechanism of tolvaptan in ICH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in maintaining endothelial function. Dysfunction of EPCs is associated with the cardiovascular complication of diabetes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effects of hyperinsulinemia on EPCs and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: EPCs isolated from healthy adults were cultured with various concentrations of insulin (control group, without insulin; physiological insulin group, 10 nM insulin and hyperinsulinemia group, 100 nM insulin) with or without phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor (LY294002, 5 µM), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor (l-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), 100 µM), sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 25 µM), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) inhibitor (SB203580, 5 µM) or extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor (PD98059, 10 µM). Proliferation, tube formation, and apoptosis of EPCs were determined. Expressions of eNOS, PI3-K, protein kinase B (Akt), p38 MAPK, and ERK 1/2 were assessed. Results: Hyperinsulinemia caused a significant decrease in proliferation and tube formation abilities than control group. Hyperinsulinemia increased apoptosis rate of EPCs than control group. Furthermore, hyperinsulinemia downregulated phosphorylation of eNOS, PI3-K and Akt, and upregulated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK. SNP could restore impaired tube formation induced by hyperinsulinemia. P38 MAPK inhibitor but not ERK inhibitor could decrease apoptosis induced by hyperinsulinemia. Conclusion: Hyperinsulinemia impaired EPCs' tube formation ability by downregulation of PI-3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Hyperinsulinemia induced apoptosis of EPCs via upregulation of p38 MAPK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation is able to inhibit tumor growth, promote tumor cell apoptosis and prolong patient survival. However, radiation resistance remains a major impediment to radiotherapy. Local and metastatic recurrences following radiation are still large impediments to overall survival. Although cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) inhibitors may induce radiation sensitivity in cancer cells, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study demonstrated high potential for cell proliferation, migration and invasion in radiation‑resistant lung cancer cell lines. The present study observed the overexpression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) in these cells, and the overexpression of Sp1 induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2, MMP‑9, B cell lymphoma‑2, in addition to a high potential for radiation resistance, migration and invasion in these cells. The present study revealed that the COX‑2 selective inhibitor, celecoxib, enhanced radiation sensitivity and inhibited migration and invasion in these cells by inhibiting the expression and DNA‑binding activity of Sp1. Furthermore, celecoxib downregulated Sp1 by inhibiting c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK). Taken together, the present study demonstrated that Sp1 overexpression in radiation‑resistant cancer cells and COX‑2 inhibitors enhanced radiation sensitivity and inhibited the migration and invasion of cancer cells, at least partially, via inactivation of the JNK/Sp1 signaling pathway and a decrease in Sp1 DNA‑binding activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study strongly Gauduchon metrics on a special kind of compact almost complex manifolds which are called 2-integrable. In particular, we investigate the existence of strongly Gauduchon metrics on compact 2-integrable almost complex manifolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contagious ecthyma, caused by orf virus (ORFV), is an epitheliotrophic contagious disease with zoonotic implications that mainly affects sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and humans. Recently, a novel ORFV strain, OV/HLJ/04, was successfully isolated from the skin and mucosal lesions of a goat with severe clinical sore mouth symptoms in Heilongjiang province of China. The OV/HLJ/04 isolate was characterized by electron microscopy, serological tests, and experimental reproduction of disease. The purified virions exhibited a typical ovoid shape when observed by electron microscopy. Moreover, experimental reproduction of disease showed that a lamb developed typical clinical signs of contagious ecthyma, such as severe vascular proliferation, when inoculated with the virus. Subsequently, amplification of ORFV011 ( B2L) gene fragments of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of the B2L protein gene revealed that this strain clusters with ORFV strains from epidemic-stricken areas worldwide, including recent mainland China isolates. Analysis using ClustalW MegAlign in DNAStar indicated that OV/HLJ/04 (GenBank: KU523790.1) was genetically closely related to the isolates Gansu (JQ904789), with 99.7% identity; NZ2 (DQ184476), with 97.4% identity; and Xinjiang (KF666560), with 90.6% identity. These results may provide insights into the genotype of the etiological agent responsible for the orf outbreak in Heilongjiang Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an equivalent winding model of a small and medium permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The model considers fill factor and void ratio. To verify the model, two winding samples are made. One is annular and adopts ordinary enameled wires. The other is circle but adopts self-adhesion wires. Temperature rises of the winding samples supplied with different current densities are tested. The calculated and tested results were compared. The equivalent winding model is also used for the temperature calculation of a 6-pole/9-slot permanent magnet synchronous motor. The influence of fill factor and void ratio on the temperature rise of the motor is investigated, as well as two overload short time states are compared. Comparing with ignoring the effect of the void ratio, the winding temperature estimation error reduces about 5 °C. Finally, winding temperature rises of a prototype are tested. The results can provide some references for choosing a reasonable current density and improving the accuracy of motor temperature estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fibrosis in ventricular system has a role in hydrocephalus following intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) has been reported to participate in alleviating the fibrosis process of many diseases. However, its role in fibrosis after IVH was unclear so far, and we hypothesized that CB2 activation has potential to attenuate hydrocephalus after IVH via restricting fibrosis. So the present study was designed to investigate this hypothesis in a modified rat IVH model. Autologous non-anticoagulative blood injection model was induced to mimic ventricular extension of hemorrhage in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were randomized to receive JWH-133(CB2 agonist), SR144528 (CB2 antagonist) or saline. The lateral ventricular volumes, fibrosis in the subarachnoid space and ventricular wall, transforming growth factor-β 1(TGF-β1) in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue, and animal neurological scores were measured to evaluate the effects of CB2 in hydrocephalus following IVH. CB2 agonist JWH-133 significantly decreased the lateral ventricular volumes, improved the associated neurological deficits, down-regulated TGF-β1 expression, and alleviated fibrosis in the subarachnoid space and ventricular wall after IVH. All of these effects were reversed by SR144528. In conclusion, CB2 may have anti-fibrogenic effects after IVH. CB2 agonist suppressed fibrosis of ventricular system and alleviated hydrocephalus following IVH, which is partly mediated by inhibiting TGF-β1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Recurrent gene mutation has been identified by the analysis of exonic DNA from lung adenocarcinoma, but its progression has not been extensively profiled. The investigation of the mutational landscape of tumors provides new insights into cancer genome evolution and further discovers the interplay of somatic mutation, adaptation of clones to their environment and natural selection. Cancer development involves cycles of genomic damage, epigenetic deregulation, and increased cellular proliferation that eventually culminate in the carcinoma phenotype. Methods: Comparative whole exome sequencing of both primary and metastatic tumor tissues from four patients of stage IV lung adenocarcinoma patients with chest wall metastasis was performed. Both primary and metastatic tumors were diagnosed through biopsy followed by surgical resection. All tumor specimens were cut into several pieces to assess potential heterogenic clones within the tumor tissue. Adjacent normal lung tissue was also obtained to provide germline mutation background. Results: By modeling and analyzing progression of the cancer metastasis based on non-synonymous variants, we defined the extent of heterogeneity of cancer genomes and identified similar cancer evolution pattern in the four patients: metastasis was an early event occurring right after the primary cancer formation and evolution in the metastatic tumor was continuously and simultaneously in progression with that in the primary tumor. By characterizing the clonal hierarchy of genetic lesions, we further charted a pathway of oncogenic events along which genes may drive lung adenocarcinoma metastasis, such as TAS2R31 and UMODL1, involving in G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway. Conclusion: The candidate genes identified in this study may become targets for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a compact symplectic manifold which is s-Lefschetz which is weaker than the hard Lefschetz property, we prove that the Lefschetz decomposition for de Rham cohomology also holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports the facile synthesis of monodispersed nickel-doped ceria nanoparticles by a thermal decomposition method, which is used to promote catalytic properties of Pt/C. The Pt/Ni-doped CeO2/C catalyst obtained exhibits remarkably high activity and stability towards the ethanol electrooxidation in acidic media. This is attributed to higher oxygen releasing capacity and stronger interaction of Ni-doped CeO2 with Pt than pure CeO2 nanoparticles that contribute positively to the removal of poisoning intermediates. We believe that the design concept and synthetic strategy of metal doped oxides used for fuel cell catalysts can be potentially extended to other catalytic fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The placenta plays a crucial role in mammalian fetal growth. The most important cell type in the placenta is the trophoblast cell. Many genes have been reported to play important functions in the differentiation of early placental trophoblast cells. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a systematic biological method for describing the correlation patterns among genes across microarray samples. We used WGCNA to screen placental trophoblast development-related genes, and through experimental confirmation, we showed that, among these genes, ELAC2 may play an important regulatory role in the early development of mammalian placental formation. ELAC2 regulates early placental trophoblast differentiation by affecting cell migration and cell proliferation. In addition, ELAC2 may be involved in regulating cell migration processes in a manner that affects epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports the easy synthesis of Au@Pd core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) with uniform shell thickness and demonstrates their viability as a nonplatinum catalyst for the electrooxidation of methanol in alkaline anion-exchange membrane fuel cells. The synthesis involves the first preparation of Au core NPs, followed by a three-phase-transfer procedure to coat Pd shells, through which homogeneous Pd shell growth on Au cores can be achieved. The as-prepared Au@Pd NPs have an activity more than 40 times higher than that of the Pd catalyst for the methanol oxidation. Moreover, these Au@Pd NPs possess excellent stability (over seven times more stable than Pd catalysts). The remarkable performance enhancement is mainly attributed to the finely tailored electronic structure of the Pd shell achieved by the underlying Au core. The easily synthesized Au@Pd core–shell NPs represent a promising class of nonplatinum anode catalysts with high activity and durability for alkaline fuel cell applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. There are two types of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) in circulation, early EPC and outgrowth endothelial cell (OEC). Diabetes impairs the function of EPC, but it is not clear whether transplantation of OECs can rescue ischemic myocardium in diabetes. In this study, we compared the function of diabetic and healthy OECs in vitro. Then we administered diabetic and healthy OECs intramyocardially and compared their contribution to vasculogenesis in diabetic rabbits. Methods. Outgrowth endothelial cells from diabetic and healthy rabbits were isolated and subjected to in vitro proliferation, tube-forming, angiogenic cytokine assays. Exogenous diabetic and healthy OECs were analyzed for therapeutic efficacy in an acute ischemia model of diabetic rabbits. LV function was assessed using echocardiography. The capillary density and fibrosis area were evaluated. MRNA expression of VEGF and bFGF was analyzed using relative realtime quantitive PCR. Results. Proliferation, tube-forming, secretion of VEGF and bFGF of diabetic OECs were significantly reduced compared with healthy OECs. In diabetic rabbits, healthy OECs transplantation could increase capillary density and improve cardiac function, decrease fibrosis area compared with diabetic OEC and the control group. Real time PCR indicated that mRNA expression of VEGF and bFGF were augmented more in the healthy OEC group than those in the control and diabetic OEC groups. Conclusions. These findings suggest that diabetes impairs the function of OECs. Transplantation of healthy OECs may rescue the ischemic myocardium by neovasculogenesis and paracrine effect in diabetic rabbits. However, autologous transplantation of diabetic OEC could not enhance cardiac function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To test the effects of a continuous medium flow inside DegraPol® scaffolds on the reepithelialization and revascularization processes of a tissue-engineered trachea prosthesis. Methods: In this proof-of-principle study a continuous medium flow was maintained within a tubular DegraPol® scaffold by an inserted porous catheter connected to a pump system. The impact of the intra-scaffold medium flow on the survival of a tracheal epithelial sheet wrapped around and on chondrocyte delivery to the DegraPol® scaffold was studied. In the chick embryo, chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model angiogenesis within the biomaterial was investigated. Results: Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images showed an intact epithelial layer after a 2-week support by continuous medium flow underneath. On histology, three-dimensional cell growth was detected in the continuous delivery group. The CAM assay showed that angiogenesis was enhanced within the DegraPol® scaffolds when vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) was added to the perfusate. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrated that the built-in perfusion system within DegraPol® scaffolds was able to maintain an intact tracheal epithelial layer, allowed a continuous delivery of cells, and kept an efficient VEGF/VPF expression level which accelerated angiogenic response in the CAM assay. This design combines the in vitro and in vivo parts of tissue engineering and offers the possibility to be used as an in vivo bioreactor implanted for the tissue-engineered reconstruction of trachea and of other organs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This review tries to summarize the efforts over the past 20 years to construct a tissue-engineered trachea. After illustrating the main technical bottlenecks faced nowadays, we discuss what might be the solutions to these bottlenecks. You may find out why the focus in this research field shifts dramatically from the construction of a tubular cartilage tissue to reepithelialization and revascularization of the prosthesis. In the end we propose a novel concept of ‘in vivo bioreactor’, defined as the design of a perfusion system inside the scaffold, and explain its potential application in the construction of a tissue-engineered trachea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The two enzymes in two disparate forms, d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) in the permeabilized Pichia pastoris cells and immobilized glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase (GA) on support, were employed to convert cephalosporin C (CPC) to 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) in a single reactor. As a catalyst used in the reaction, DAAO in the permeabilized cells was relatively stable and its half-life was up to 14.5 days at 30°C. In this study, CPC could be converted to 90.9% 7-ACA, 5% α-ketoadipyl-7-ACA (AKA-7-ACA) and 4.1% unidentified by-product within 2.5h. During the reaction process, the loss of DAAO activity in the reactor was at an average rate of 0.07Umin−1, but it could be compensated by continuous addition of the new permeabilized cell suspension. At the end of reaction, the stable immobilized GA was intercepted in a specially designed reactor, and reused for the next conversions. The permeabilized cells were separated outside the reactor by centrifugation and reused. Thus, the consecutive production of 7-ACA from CPC in a single reactor is achieved by a fed-batch strategy. In the reaction system, the used permeabilized cells and immobilized GA were renewed every four cycles and every seven cycles, respectively. The yield of 7-ACA reached around 90% at each reaction cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The discovery, synthesis, and SAR of chromanes as ERα subtype selective ligands are described. X-ray studies revealed that the origin of the ERα-selectivity resulted from a C-4 trans methyl substitution to the cis-2,3-diphenyl-chromane platform. Selected compounds from this class demonstrated very potent in vivo antagonism of estradiol in an immature rat uterine weight assay, effectively inhibited ovariectomy-induced bone resorption in a 42days treatment paradigm, and lowered serum cholesterol levels in ovx’d adult rat models. The best antagonists 8F and 12F also exhibited potent inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth and were shown to be estrogen receptor down-regulators (SERDs). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present work was to discuss the polymerizing mechanism of stable zirconia’s slurries for the aqueous-gel-tape-casting process, and to identify the proper conditions for it. Nanometer tetragonal polycrystalline zirconia powder is prepared by the super-alkaline method at low temperature. The nanometer zirconia films have been produced by a novel method—the aqueous-gel-tape-casting process that has been developed. The process makes use of a monomer solution to prepare the nanometer zirconia suspension. In the process, with the polymerized organic monomers, a three-dimensional network is formed, and the nanometer zirconia particles are fixed within the network, thus, resulting in a green tape. The mechanism of polymerization of the nanometer zirconia suspension is described and the influencing factors on solidification are investigated. Perfect green films can be produced by accurately controlling the concentration of the monomer solution, the pH of the suspension, the polymerizing temperature, and the amount of initiator and catalyst. The optimum conditions of the aqueous-gel-tape-casting process are achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dihydrobenzoxathiin analogs (1–11) with modifications on the basic side chain region were prepared and evaluated for estrogen/anti-estrogen activity in both in vitro and in vivo models. The compounds generally maintained a high degree of selectivity for ERα over ERβ, similar to the original lead compound I. Many of the compounds also maintained high potency in the inhibition of human carcinoma MCF-7 cell growth. However, all were less potent in the inhibition of estradiol-triggered uterine growth. This work demonstrates the sensitive nature of modification to the antagonist basic side chain region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Manganese dioxide has been significantly utilized in zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). However, in the rechargeable battery system, the manganese dioxide cathode suffers from poor conductivity, volume expansion, and substance dissolution, resulting in low capacity and poor stability. Herein, a 3D frame structure MnO2@CNTs cathode is proposed. In this system, the electrodeposited spherical MnO2 is anchored and interlinked via the in‐situ growth carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto the carbon cloth. Benefiting the unique 3D frame structure, the MnO2 structure crush problem and the pathway of the electrons and ions are dramatically improved. The optimized MnO2@CNTs cathode demonstrate a high capacity of 256.35 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and exceptional cycling stability. Furthermore, in‐situ Raman spectroscopy elucidates the energy storage mechanism of aqueous ZIBs (AZIBs). Moreover, COMSOL finite elements analysis demonstrates that the petal edge‐rich nanostructures of MnO2@CNTs generate a localized high electric field under constant current, accelerating ion/electron transfer. This work explains the rationale for CNTs to improve the properties of MnO2 cathodes, providing a new perspective for the design of high‐performance batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery is the mainstay of lung cancer treatment options. Traditionally, lobectomy has held its place as the gold standard for treating localized lung cancer, while sublobar resection, including wedge resection and segmentectomy, was primarily considered as an alternative, often reserved for patient ineligible to sustain a radical intervention. However, with the widespread application of computed tomography (CT) to clinical practice, the increasing detection rate of pulmonary ground glass nodules (GGNs) has reshaped this landscape. Ground glass opacity (GGO) in persistent lung nodules is an indicative factor of a favorable prognosis, typically corresponding to pathological changes such as atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), or adenocarcinomas predominantly featuring a lepidic growth pattern. A large number of retrospective studies have shown that sublobar resection can achieve satisfactory therapeutic outcomes for such lesions. A series of prospective studies from Japan have confirmed that for early-stage lung cancers dominated by GGOs, sublobar resection is also a viable curative surgical option. The follow-up data showed that there was no statistical difference in the survival status of these patients compared with that of pulmonary lobectomy. This article aims to delve into the role of limited lung resection in the context of lung adenocarcinoma presenting with GGO features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charging time of Li-ion batteries connected in series (LBCSs) power supply is the main concern in an electromagnetic propulsion system. However, the capacity loss of a Li-ion battery is inevitable due to the repetitive operation of LBCSs power supply, which leads to the decrease in the average current. Thus, the voltages of symmetrically distributed pulse capacitors of LBCSs power supply will not reach the setting value in the specified time. This paper proposes a novel closed-loop control method to solve the problem. By collecting the pulse capacitor voltage and the circuit current, the time sequences of Li-ion batteries are recalculated in real time in a closed-loop to increase the average current. The time-domain model of the circuit topology of the LBCSs power supply and an innovative closed-loop control method based on the time sequences recalculation algorithm are described first. Then, the circuit model is built in PSIM for simulation analyses. Finally, a series of experiments are conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the method on the megawatt LBCSs power supply platform. Both the simulation and experimental results validate that the proposed method not only shortens the charging time, but also increases the average current. In practical experiments, the charging time is shortened by 4.5% and the average current is increased by 4.8% using the proposed method at the capacity loss of 50 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The preparation and characterization of a series of thiophenyl oxime phosphonate beta-lactamase inhibitors is described. A number of these analogs were potent and selective inhibitors of class C beta-lactamases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae. Compounds 3b and 7 reduced the MIC of imipenem against an AmpC expressing strain of imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. A number of the title compounds retained micromolar potency against the class D OXA-40 beta-lactamase from Acinetobacter baumannii and at high concentrations compound 3b was shown to reduce the MIC of imipenem against a highly imipenem-resistant strain of A. baumanii expressing the OXA-40 beta-lactamase. In mice compound 3b exhibited phamacokinetics similar to imipenem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 4,7-Dichloro-1-benzothien-2-yl sulfonylaminomethyl boronic acid (DSABA, Compound I) was discovered as the first boronic acid-based class D beta-lactamase inhibitor. It exhibited an IC50 of 5.6μM against OXA-40. The compound also inhibited class A and C beta-lactamases with sub to low μM IC50, and synergized with imipenem against Acinetobacter baumannii. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Synchronous communication between the developing embryo and the receptive endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation. Thus, uterine receptivity evaluation is vital in managing recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The potential roles of small extracellular vesicle (sEV) miRNAs in pregnancy have been widely studied. However, the systematic study of sEVs derived from endometrium and its cargos during the implantation stage have not yet been reported. In this study, we isolated endometrium-derived sEVs from the mouse endometrium on D2 (pre-receptive phase), D4 (receptive phase), and D5 (implantation) of pregnancy. Herein, we reveal that multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in the endometrium increase in number during the window of implantation (WOI). Moreover, our findings indicate that CD63, a well-known sEV marker, is expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium of mouse endometrium. The sEV miRNA expression profiles indicated that miR-34c-5p, miR-210, miR-369-5p, miR-30b, and miR-582-5p are enriched during WOI. Further, we integrated the RIF's database analysis results and found out that miR-34c-5p regulates growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) for normal embryo implantation. Notably, miR-34c-5p is downregulated during implantation but upregulated in sEVs. An implication of this is the possibility that sEVs miR-34c-5p could be used to evaluate uterine states. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the endometrium derived-sEV miRNAs are potential biomarkers in determining the appropriate period for embryo implantation. This study also has several important implications for future practice, including therapy of infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydrobenzodithiin compounds (1–6) were prepared to explore the expansion of the dihydrobenzoxathiin lead compounds I–III as SERAMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Alpha Modulators). The dihydrobenzodithiin compounds generally maintained a high degree of selectivity for ERα over ERβ, however, they lacked the in vivo antagonism/agonism activity exhibited by the lead class in an immature rat uterine growth model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) powered by renewable electricity is reckoned to provide an effective strategy to alleviate environmental issues and energy crisis, enabling a potential carbon neutral economy. To boost the ECR to fuels and value-added chemicals, the design of highly active and selective catalysts is important. In this study, we demonstrate facile ultrasonication-facilitated synthesis of two-dimensional copper terephthalate for efficient ECR. High faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of up to 72.9% for hydrocarbons are achieved at a mild overpotential in an H-type cell. In particular, the FE for ethylene (C2H4) formation approaches 50.0% at an applied potential of −1.1 V (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode), outperforming commercial Cu, Cu2O, CuO, Cu(OH)2 and many recently reported Cu-based materials. The C2H4 partial geometric current density is as high as ∼6.0 mA·cm−2. This work offers a simple avenue to developing advanced electrocatalysts for converting CO2 into high-value hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been considered one of the most promising flexible chemical power sources, because of their affordable cost, absolute security, and lightweight. However, the development of flexible aqueous ZIBs has been hindered by cathode materials due to their unsatisfied capacity, unstable structure, and ambiguous electrochemical energy storage mechanism. To address the above issues, a high-performance manganese cerium-doped dioxide-based core–shell hybrid structure cathode (CS@Ce-MnO 2) has been successfully prepared via a facile low-temperature liquid-phase reaction strategy. Benefit from the delicately designed hierarchical carbon spheres core and cerium-doped manganese dioxide nanosheets shell structure, the capacity and stability of CS@Ce-MnO 2 based flexible ZIBs has been dramatically improved, and the origin of the improved electrochemical performance and storage mechanism was demonstrated by electrochemical methods and ex-site x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The principal reason for the high reversible specific capacity is the plausible Zn2+ and H+co-insertion/extraction, while the porous structure of the carbon spheres contributes to the improved electron conduction and ion transport in the MnO 2 matrix. This work provides a new opportunity for high-performance flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similar to MXene, MAB is a group of 2D ceramic/metallic boride materials which exhibits unique properties for various applications. However, these 2D sheets tend to stack and therefore lose their active surface area and functions. Herein, an amorphous cobalt nickel boride (Co–Ni–B) nanocomposite is prepared with a combination of 2D sheets and nanoparticles in the center to avoid agglomeration. This unique structure holds the 2D nano-sheets with massive surface area which contains numerous catalytic active sites. This nanocomposite is prepared as an electrocatalyst for borohydride electrooxidation reaction (BOR). It shows outstanding catalytic activity through improving the kinetic parameters of BH 4 − oxidation, owing to abundant ultrathin 2D structure on the surface, which provide free interspace and electroactive sites for charge/mass transport. The anode catalyst led to a 209 mW/cm2 maximum power density with high open circuit potential of 1.06 V at room temperature in a miniature direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC). It also showed a great longevity of up to 45 h at an output power density of 64 mW/cm2, which is higher than the Co–B, Ni–B and PtRu/C. The cost reduction and prospective scale-up production of the Co–Ni–B catalyst are also addressed. [Display omitted] • DBFC with Co–Ni–B nanocomposite as anode catalyst exhibited P max = 209 mW/cm2 which is over twice higher than PtRu/C. • MXene-like structure enhanced the exposure of active metallic species and the mass transfer. • The assembled DBFC has good stability of retaining 91.2% of the output voltage after 45 h. • The narrow band gap of Co–Ni–B nanocomposite urges the charge transfer kinetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H+-ion concentration cell, which can harvest thermal energy to generate electricity by hydrogen concentration difference principle with a fuel cell structure, is an innovative thermoelectric conversion device. In this system, phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PA-doped PBI) membrane is a key component influencing the power generation performance of the cell. Herein, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 μm thick PBI membranes are successfully synthesized and doped with phosphoric acid. To achieve a good compromise between the proton conductivity and durability, the properties of PA-doped PBI membranes are experimentally evaluated to clarify the effect of the acid doping time and membrane thickness on cell performance. The results indicate that the higher the acid doping level, the worse the dimensional stability of the membrane. Also the thinner the PBI membrane, the smaller the membrane resistance to ions motion, while the poorer the stability. Upon reaction at 170 °C, this cell can boast a power density from 3.0 to 8.0 W m−2, which results in a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.97–14.32%. This study potentially boosts the practical application of thermal-to-electrical conversion technology. Image 1 • The properties of different PBI membranes were studied. • Phosphoric acid-doped PBI membranes exhibited good proton conductivity and thermal stability. • The H+-ion concentration cell can boast a power density from 3.0 to 8.0 W m−2 at 170 °C. • The thermoelectric conversion efficiency across the H+-ion concentration cell is in the range of 5.97–14.32%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The resistance of NSCLC to chemical drugs, such as cisplatin (CDDP), poses a heavy burden for NSCLC therapy. Herein, the effects of circular_0008928 (circ_0008928) on the CDDP sensitivity and biological behavior of CDDP-resistant NSCLC cells and underlying mechanism are revealed. Materials and Methods: The expression of circ_0008928 and microRNA-488 (miR-488) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) protein and exosome-specific proteins was determined by Western blot. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of CDDP was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell proliferation and migratory and invasive abilities were illustrated by cell counting kit-8 and transwell assays. Cell glycolysis metabolism was illustrated by extracellular acidification rate assay, glucose kit and lactate kit assays and Western blot analysis. The binding sites between miR-488 and circ_0008928 or HK2 were predicted by starbase or microT-CDS online database, and identified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results: Circ_0008928 expression and HK2 protein expression were significantly upregulated, while miR-488 expression was obviously downregulated in NSCLC cells and CDDP-resistant NSCLC cells. Circ_0008928 expression was increased in serum exosomes of CDDP-resistant NSCLC patients compared with CDDP-sensitive NSCLC patients. In addition, circ_0008928 silencing improved CDDP sensitivity and attenuated CDDP-induced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis metabolism. Circ_0008928 was a sponge of miR-488, and miR-488 bound to HK2 in CDDP-resistant NSCLC cells. Furthermore, both miR-488 inhibitor and HK2 overexpression attenuated circ_0008928 absence-mediated impacts on CDDP sensitivity and tumor process in CDDP-resistant NSCLC. Conclusions: Circ_0008928 knockdown improved CDDP sensitivity and hindered cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis metabolism by miR-488/HK2 axis in CDDP-resistant NSCLC. This finding provides a new mechanism for studying CDDP-resistant therapy in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hydroquinone (HQ), one of the major metabolites of benzene, can induce aberrant gene expression. MiR-155, a tumor activator, participates in various biological processes, including DNA damage response. However, the molecular mechanism of aberrant miR-155 expression is still not completely elucidated. Here, we investigated the mechanism of abnormal expression of miR-155 induced by poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) expression in HQ-treated TK6 lymphoblastoid cells. We examined the expression of genes related to abnormal expression of miR-155 to explore the reason for this phenomenon. The results of the present study showed that miR-155 was significantly increased and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were decreased in cells treated with HQ for 72 h compared with PBS-treated cells. Meanwhile, E4F1, PARP-1 and PARP-1 related co-regulators (NF-κB, HDAC1, and HDAC2), acetylated histone H3 (H3Ac) were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Experiments for treatment with 5-AzaC (DNMTs inhibitor), TSA (HDACs inhibitor), DOX (to activate PARP-1) or MG132 (proteasome inhibitor) revealed that the MBDs and PARP-1 was positively associated with miR-155 expression. Moreover, in cells treated with HQ in conjunction with PARP-1 knockdown, expression of miR-155, H3Ac and MBD2 protein were decreased, compared with negative control. In conclusion, PARP-1 activates expression of miR-155 via acetylation by regulating MBD2 in TK6 cells exposed to HQ. Highlights • HQ activates the expression of miR-155 and PARP-1 in a dose-dependent manner. • HQ induces the expression of PARP-1 related co-regualtors (HDAC1/2, NF-κB,). • Treatment of TSA and DOX promotes the expression of miR-155. • PARP-1 silencing inhibits the expression of miR-155 and MBD2. • PARP-1 promotes the expression of miR-155 via histone acetylation by targeting MBD2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive CO2 emission due to a large amount of fossil fuel utilization has become a widespread concern, which causes both environmental and energy problems. To solve these issues, electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to produce value‐added chemicals have gained immense attention. Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derived materials with high specific surface areas, controllable pore structures, and tunable chemical properties exhibit promising performance among the reported catalytic materials for CO2 conversion. This review describes the recent advances on the rational design and synthesis of MOF‐based electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for CO2 reduction. The importance of the catalytic processes is highlighted, followed by systematic understanding of MOF‐based catalysts for CO2 reduction through electrochemical and photochemical approaches. Special emphasis of this review is to introduce basic catalyst design strategies and synthesis methods as well as their resulting electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. One of the major goals is to elucidate the structures and properties that link to their catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability towards to CO2 reduction. We also outline the challenges in this research area and propose the potential strategies for the rational design and synthesis of high‐performance catalysts. Due to the controllable pore size distribution, high specific surface area, and the tunable properties, metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based electrocatalysts and photocatalysts have been recognized as promising candidates for CO2 reduction to value‐added chemicals. In this review recent advances are discussed in detail and the challenges and future directions are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the thrust ripple of a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM). The PMLSMs with the North–South (NS) and consequent (C) poles are compared first. Then two magnetic regulating structures whose widths are τ and τ/3 (τ is the pole pitch) are proposed and set on the primaries, forming Modulars I and II structures, respectively. The effects that the modular structures exerting on the detent force and voltage harmonics are expounded. At last the modular primaries are selectively applied to the PMLSMs with different poles: the modular I whose magnetic regulating structure employs magnetic permeable material is applied to the C-pole PMLSM, and thus the thrust ripple caused by the voltage harmonics is suppressed remarkably. Whereas the magnetic regulating structure of the modular II which is nonmagnetic is used for the NS-pole PMLSM, helping to reduce the detent force and improve the average thrust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]